Classic Jazz: Jazz Legends

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Whether it's the explosive big band sound of the Count Basie Orchestra or the sensual rhythms of 'The Girl From Ipanema', this is where you'll find the legends of jazz. 18 digitally remastered tracks from such artists as Cannonball Adderley, Charles Mingus, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and more. 2002.

Tracks:

Nights When I Am Lonely
Heebie Jeebies
When I Take My Sugar To Tea
Roll On, Mississippi, Roll On
Shout, Sister, Shout
Shine On, Harvest Moon
River Stay 'Way From My Door
Was That The Human Thing To Do
We've Got To Put That Sun Back In The Sky
There'll Be Some Changes Made
If It Ain't Love
Hand Me Down My Walkin' Cane
Old Yazoo
We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye
Down Among The Sheltering Palms
Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day
Crazy People
Forty-Second Street
Shuffle Offf To Buffalo
If I Had A Million Dollars
Dinah

Customer Reviews:

Unexpected delights with diamonds scattered everywhere..........2007-04-04

The Boswell Sisters, Connie, Martha and Helvetia, do not receive the fond memories that they deserve; they have unjustly been mostly forgotten. Fortunately, CDs like this one exist to demonstrate that they possessed remarkable talent. Just one listen to this CD proves that this trio was exceptionally facile at switching moods, tempo and keys all in the same song. They could scat very well, too.

The CD starts off with an early acoustic recording of "Nights When I Am Lonely." The surface noise is a bit bothersome but we get a good early glimpse at the sisters when they were young. This track proves that even at an early age The Boswell Sisters had tremendous singing abilities far beyond the realm of just any old sister act. They are already playing with the tempo as they sing "Nights When I Am Lonely."

"Heebies Jeebies," a Louis Armstrong number, gets the full Boswell treatment as we now hear them five years later with their voices matured. The sisters accentuate even the smallest syllables of the words "Heebies Jeebies" to create the right feel for this number; and the tempo and mood changes will impress you, too. When the tempo slows for a bluesy feel during this number you will truly amazed at their talent. Martha Boswell plays the piano for this number, too.

"When I Take My Sugar To Tea" starts with great horn playing with a slow, bluesy feel to it; the instrumental swinging jam that follows pops out at you all the more so because of the bluesy feel earlier on in this number. The sisters play with the tempo, too, switching back and forth between fast and slow. Awesome! Another song that showcases their ability to play with tempos and different keys would be "Shout, Sister, Shout."

"Shine On, Harvest Moon" starts with a bluesy intro and the sisters add great syncopated lyrics to give this number extra punch.

"Was That The Human Thing To Do" was one of the first song recorded first by The Boswell Sisters; by 1932 they were so popular that they no longer had to be content with recording covers of songs by other artists. "Was That The Human Thing To Do" starts out with a sprightly tempo that stands in sharp contrast to the sad lyrics about a love gone awry. The number has great tempo and key changes and this number has Jimmy Dorsey playing the alto clarinet as Tommy Dorsey plays trombone. The musical arrangement shines for this number.

"There'll Be Some Changes Made" once again shows the sisters successfully manipulating tempo and mood; and Connie Boswell does a wonderful solo in the middle of this number. In addition, "Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day" uses the piano and percussion very well; and Jimmy Dorsey and his brother Tommy are back on clarinet and trombone respectively.

"Forty-Second Street" starts with the sisters harmonizing to perfection with a relatively fast paced tempo; but the instrumental jam in the middle of this number moves at a slower pace to enhance the beauty of this song. The sisters add great extra syncopated lyrics as the tempo continues to change back and forth between fast and slow.

The CD ends with a beautiful rendition of "Dinah." Once again, The Boswell Sisters perform this to perfection all the while putting their own stamp on this classic ballad.

The liner notes give the song credits; and Scott Yanow contributes an informative essay about the singing sisters.

I highly recommend this CD for fans of 1930s American music; and people who are already familiar with The Boswell Sisters will love this CD, too. People who enjoy classic pop vocals will cherish this CD and the beautiful songs offer a great deal of nostalgia as well.

Love the Ditty Bops?.......2007-02-10

If you love that darling duo seemingly teleported from the 1930s (either through Grey's Anatomy or not), check out this CD full of early Boswell Sisters recordings. Quick tempo shifts, inventive three part harmonies highlight this unique trio from yesteryear.

THE BEST OF THE BEST.......2006-06-27

Anything by the Boswell Sisters has to be the best.
Without a doubt they had to be THE BEST close harmony group ever,EVER, they have never been surpassed or ever will be.

They are the most requested on our local radio station here in Newcastle (Australia)

Like the old add says "If you liked that, wait there's more, and more and more" but never enough.

Yowsah!.......2006-01-24

Without a doubt one of the best of all possible albums to begin your trip to Boz.

First track is s shocker: a 1925 acoustic recording of the Boswell Sisters first side. Consider that Vet, on the high voice, is all of 14 years old at the time - and that there were no retakes, balance, or even microphones as we know them now (they sang into little horns). Ride through this rough and tumble little ditty (complete with the Boswell's own personal language called "gibberish") and say to yourself "this is great for historical context but I bet it gets better".

And Lordy does it ever. The next track is "Heebie Jeebies", a Satchmo number that gets the Boswell tempo treatment and gives you your first exposure to the strutting contralto of Connie Boswell. This was their lucky song and you'll be feeling lucky to have bought this CD around this time.

If you had any doubt that you were about to have a great musical romp, add the Dorsey Brothers on "When I take My Sugar to Tea" and just strap yourself in. Don't be lulled into thinking you've hit a sentimental sappy in "Shine on Harvest Moon" as you ride through a chorus and verse straight and sweet as southern tea. Suddenly the Sisters break out the juice, change the tempo, throw out the melody and race toward the finish line. And baby, you are the winner.

If you don't feel like marching in a Mardi Gras parade after "We Got to Put the Sun Back in the Sky" you need a tonic.

And if by "Old Yazoo" you feel like you just went through all of Mardi Gras in 3-minutes - you've been Bozzed.

Not to worry. Your blood pressure will come down and your heart be rocked in the cradle of Southern loveliness by the time the CD comes to an end on "Dinah".

This is a superlative CD for the music afficianado who wants to dip into the refreshing, innovative and utterly joyful noise of the Boswell Sisters. Their incomparable sound shines here, and you are treated to some of the best jazzmen of the 30s like Bunny Berrigan, Joe Tarto, Joe Venutti, Eddy Lang and Manny Klein in what feels sometimes like one of the bestest, baddest jams in late night New York history.

John Lucas may have said it best in the October 15, 1944 cover story of Down Beat when he said of the Boswell Sisters "Since they were kids they've been singing licks instead of lyrics, and riffs in place of rhymes."

Get Bozzed!

Alberta Hunter with Lovie Austin's Blues Serenaders (Chicago -- The Living Legends)

Average customer rating:

Classic Albera Hunter...

Alberta Hunter with Lovie Austin's Blues Serenaders (Chicago -- The Living Legends)
Alberta Hunter
Manufacturer: Obc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Songs We Taught Your Mother
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Alberta Hunter - My Castle's Rockin'
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Chicago: The Living Legends

ASIN: B000000XX1
Release Date: 1992-02-17

Tracks:

St. Louis Blues
Moanin' Low
Downhearted Blues
Now I'm Satisfied
Sweet Georgia Brown
You Better Change
C-Jam Blues
Streets Paved With Gold
Gallon Stomp
I Will Always Be In Love With You

Customer Reviews:

Classic Albera Hunter..........2000-01-24

A nice and jazzy session by Alberta Hunter in the 60's with jazz all-stars. Really great stuff.

Average customer rating:

Keep your ukulele in your hand.
A Must for Uke lovers everywhere!
From a ukulele player:
Review
Great Sampler

Legends of Ukulele
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Uke of Ages
The Vintage Recordings of Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike)
The Ukulele: A Visual History
The Complete Ukulele Course taught by Ralph Shaw

ASIN: B000007RQF
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

12th Street Rag - Johnny Marvin
Tip-Toe Thru' The Tulips With Me - Tiny Tim
Little Grass Shack - Ohta San
That's My Weakness Now - Cliff 'Ukulele Ike' Edwards
Uke Said It - Roy Smeck
Misty - Nelson Waikiki
Hawaiian War Chant - Johnny Ukulele
Makin' Love Ukulele Style - Arthur Godfrey
Holiday For Strings - Eddie Bush
Stars And Stripes Forever - The Kalima Brothers
For The Love Of Uke - Jim Beloff
Granada - Eddie Kamae
Johnny B. Goode - The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain
Ukulele Benny - The Georgia Brothers
My Ukulele - George Formby
On Fire - Ka'au Crater Boys
Do I Love You? - Yes I Do! - Ian Whitcomb & His Bungalow Boys
Lulu's Back In Town - Lyle Ritz

Amazon.com

Attention, ukulele lovers! Based on the success of its Legends of Accordion compilation, Rhino Records has brought out this memorable 18-track set of tunes featuring the uke. Produced by Jim Beloff (author of the near-definitive ukulele coffee-table book The Ukulele: A Visual History), Legends contains predictable artists such as Tiny Tim, Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards, Arthur Godfrey, and Roy Smeck, along with lesser-known greats such as Ohta San, King Benny Nawahi, and George Formby. Sure--like its accordion predecessor--the collection is a once-over-lightly pastiche of artists and styles, but for most of your uke needs, it'll more than do. True enthusiasts would also be wise to check out Smeck's classic solo album, Roy Smeck Plays Hawaiian Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, and Guitar. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Keep your ukulele in your hand........2005-09-01

This is an entertaining CD. It covers a variety of ukulele playing styles and music styles. It shows all those non-believers that the ukulele is something more than just a toy. It truly is a beautiful instrument and a beautiful sounding instrument. This is demonstrated by the performers on this CD. Most of the performers are virtuosos, but the most famous ukulele player of all time, Tiny Tim, technically wasn't very accomplished. Not to say that I don't like Tiny Tim, but his playing is amateurish next to the other performers here. Anyway, this CD covers a lot of different styles and it quite entertaining.

A Must for Uke lovers everywhere!.......2003-07-04

This was the first of many uke-related cd's I have bought, and it still stands as the best. A new uke player, I was amazed that the little 4-stringed "hawaiian guiter" could perform such varied musical styles-from jazz to flamenco; from love songs to humor. When do we get "Legends 2"?

From a ukulele player:.......2002-09-24

Don't listen to the guy from Tennessee. This is a fantastic compilation. Any ukulele player, Hawaiian or otherwise, will tell you that most of the musicians on this CD are the ukulele greats. Ohta-san, Cliff Edwards, Roy Smeck, Lyle Ritz, George Formby and others show what can be done on the tiny instrument that many consider a toy. They show us what a great instrument the uke really is. Cliff Edwards, known as Ukulele Ike, plays and sings with his wonderful voice. Some may know him better as the voice of Jiminy Cricket. Tiny Tim's rendition of Tiptoe through the Tulips is fully understood when one listens to the original 1929 falsetto version of the song by Nick Lucas. (Listen to it here on Amazon.com.) Oh... and there are plenty of Hawaiians on this CD. I recommend it highly.

Review.......2001-12-21

I am disapointed with this CD. This is not Hawaian! It's more like 50's music. Amazon should not have put this in the Hawaian section.

Great Sampler.......2001-08-30

This is a great sampler, while not a Tiny Tim fan, after reading the profile and listening to the track, I came away with a better appreciation. The Otha-San "Little Grass Shack" is absolutely wonderful in fact I ordered the CD from which it was gleaned. Smeck is, well, musically verbious and should be listened to with that thought in mind. All in all, nicely done!

Average customer rating:

The Early Years: 1923-1942
Earl Hines
Manufacturer: Jazz Legends
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Solo Piano Solos [Jazz Collector Edition]
Piano Man!
Piano Man
King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band: The Complete Set

ASIN: B0002IQN6U
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

Congaine
Skip The Gutter
Oh Sister, Ain't That Hot?
Blues In Thirds
A Monday Date
57 Varieties
Everybody Loves My Baby
Chicago Rhythm
Deep Forest
Down Among The Sheltering Palms
Cavernism
Madhouse
Bubbling Over
Pianology
Piano Man
Rosetta
Boogie Woogie On St. Louis Blues
Jelly, Jelly
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
The Father Jumps
Second Balcony Jump

Album Description

One of the all-time titans of the jazz piano, Earl "Fatha" Hines took the stride piano style to a new level, playing unusual accents, right hand octaves, and taking wild chances without losing the beat. His big band was one of the pacesetters of the early 1930s, and he was a brilliant soloist as well. This exciting collection includes the critical cuts from the first third of Hines's 60-year career, focusing on his early days as the king of the great Chicago scene, and featuring both the genius of his solo playing and his recordings at the helm of his wonderful big bands.

Average customer rating:

The Empress of the Blues: 1923-1933
Bessie Smith
Manufacturer: Jazz Legends
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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A Proper Introduction to the Carter Family: Keep on the Sunny Side
Folkways: The Original Vision
Desperate Man Blues: Discovering the Roots of American Music
Delta Blues
Stomp and Swerve: American Music Gets Hot

ASIN: B0002ABSAY
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

Down Hearted Blues
Tain't Nobody's Business If I Do
Graveyard Dream Blues
You've Been a Good Ole Wagon
Cake Walkin' Babies from Home
Yellow Dog Blues
Careless Love Blues
I Ain't Goin to Play Second Fiddle
At the Christmas Ball
Backwater Blues
After You've Gone
There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Time Tonight
Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair
Mean Old Bed Bug Blues
Good Man Is Hard to Find
Empty Bed Blues, Pts. 1 & 2
I'm Wild About That Thing
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
On Revival Day
Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl
Gimme a Pigfoot

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Chicago: The Living Legends
Albert Wynn & His Gutbucket Seven
Manufacturer: Ojc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Chicago: The Living Legends
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New Orleans: The Living Legends

ASIN: B000000Z90
Release Date: 1993-08-20

Tracks:

Ice Cream
Someday Sweetheart
How Long Blues
Honey
Bourbon Street
The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
In The Evening
Nobody's Sweetheart
I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None O' This Jelly Roll
How Long Blues (Alternate)

The Best of the Early Mills Brothers 1931-1942

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The Best of the Early Mills Brothers 1931-1942
The Mills Brothers
Manufacturer: Jazz Legends
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000BB18BI
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

Tiger Rag
Nobody's Sweetheart
How'm I Doin' Hey-Hey
Sweet Sue
The Old Man Of The Mountain
Bugle Call Rag
It Don't Mean A Thing
Smoke Rings
Jungle Fever
Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet
Nagasaki
Limehouse Blues
Lulu's Back In Town
Solitude
Organ Grinder's Swing
Caravan
The Song Is Ended
Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland
Jeepers Creepers
Basin Street Blues
Paper Doll

Album Description

Although today the Mills Brothers are most remembered for their later performances that helped define middle-of-the-road pop music, in the 1930s they were one of the most innovative jazz vocal groups ever to record. Their ability to imitate instruments and sound like a full combo while utilizing only an acoustic guitar was unprecedented, and gave them a unique and exciting sound. Early vaudeville performances and radio broadcasts led to big breaks in New York, and by the early 1930s they were world famous recording stars, and were appearing in several movies. Here are the key recordings of these great vocalists from the period of their peak creativity and uniqueness, gathered together on a single CD for the very first time, with remastered sound, detailed notes by Scott Yanow and rare historic photos.

Average customer rating:

Almost a comprehensive collection

Am I Blue: 1921-1947
Ethel Waters
Manufacturer: Jazz Legends
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

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The Incomparable Ethel Waters
Am I Blue?
His Eye is on the Sparrow: An Autobiography (Quality Paperbacks Series)
The Fabulous Lena Horne: 22 Hits, 1936-1946, Including Stormy Weather
The Essential Bessie Smith

ASIN: B0002IQN5G
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Tracks:

Down Home Blues
There'll Be Some Changes Made
You Can't Do What My Last Man Did
Sweet Georgia Brown
Go Back Where You Stayed Last Night
Dinah
Maybe Not All All
Shake That Thing
Sugar
I'm Coming Virginia
Take Your Black Bottom Outside
Guess Who's In Town
Do What You Did Last Night
Am I Blue
Waiting At The End Of The Road
You're Lucky To Me
Stormy Weather
Jeepers Creepers
Taking A Chance On Love
Cabin In The Sky
Happiness Is Just A Thing Called Joe

Album Description

In the early 1920s, Ethel Waters was one of the leading classic blues singers, and by the end of the decade she had become virtually the only black female singer to cross over into pop music. One of the most popular entertainers of the 1930s, Waters was one of the first African Americans to be accompanied regularly by white orchestras and to get good roles in motion pictures without having to move to Europe. And, throughout her career, she was entrusted to introduce several major songs that were to become popular standards. This important compilation includes most of the recorded highpoints of this legendary singer, taken from the peak periods of her singing career.

Customer Reviews:

Almost a comprehensive collection.......2007-02-02

Before finding fame as an actor as a middle-aged woman, Ethel Waters was a Blues singer in the 1920s, a peer of Bessie Smith and Ida Cox, who transitioned into singing Jazz and Pop music. This collection focuses on her earlier recordings.

AM I BLUE: 1921-1947 ("Legendary jazz Vocalist #09" of "Jazz Legends" series) consists of 21 songs recorded 1921 thru 1947; tracks are in chronological order. Disc packaged in clear jewel case; total running time: 66:47. Booklet includes an essay by Scott Yanow, a few photographs from her films, and track information (including recording dates and musician personnel); songwriter credits not included. Sound quality is very poor on early `20s recordings, but is decent for later recordings.

Most of the songs included are from the 1920s:
Tracks 1 & 2 from 1921; track 3 from 1923. (These recordings are scratchy.)
Tracks 4-8 from 1925; tracks 9 & 10 from 1926; track 11 from 1927.
Tracks 12 & 13 from 1928; tracks 14 & 15 from 1929.
Track 16 from 1930.
Track 17 from 1933.
Track 18 from 1938.
Tracks 19 & 20 from 1940.
Track 21 from 1947.

Ethel Waters's voice is high and clear. It is more similar to Lena Horne or Ella Fitzgerald than Ma Rainey or Billie Holiday.
Ethel Waters did not record regularly after 1940, but she did record a secular album in the mid 1950s, before dedicating her life to religion (and Billy Graham's "crusades") and recording two non-secular albums in 1963.

Of note are her shout-outs to singers Clara Smith and Bessie Smith on "Maybe Not at All"; after singing the song in her style, she re-sings the song first in the style of Clara Smith and then slows down the tempo and sings in the style of Bessie Smith.

A good companion piece to this album is the 1999 import "Takin' a Chance on Love", which features songs recorded 1938-1946. Only three songs overlap between the two albums: 1938's "Jeepers Creepers" (featured in the 2001 horror film of the same name) and her 1940 recordings of "Taking a Chance on Love" & "Cabin in the Sky".

Average customer rating:

WOW!
CLASSICJAZZITIZ!

Classic Jazz: Jazz Legends

Manufacturer: Time Life Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0002T2I3Q

Product Description

30 songs by 29 great Jazz artists. Cannonball Adderley, Charlie PArker, Tony Bennett, Oscar Peterson, John Coltrane, Vince Guaraldi and 25 more artists.

Customer Reviews:

WOW!.......2006-01-04

This two-disc set by Time Life, now out of print it seems, served as my formal introduction to Classic Jazz. Hot damn! Miles Davis, Jimmy Smith, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Charles Mingus, and Louis Armstrong are just the tip of the iceberg! I'd say even the songs that the other reviewer disliked, Torme's "Lullaby of Birdland" and, admittedly to a lesser degree, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross's "Cloudburst" are also keepers.

The order of the songs on this disc is very-well thought out, especially ending the first disc with a flourish (Count Basie's "April in Paris".)

I recommend this to anyone - from serious music fans looking to broaden their horizons into jazz (if they haven't already) to hardened jazz fans who don't have some of the truly great gems present here. A keeper, if there ever was one.

CLASSICJAZZITIZ!.......2004-09-13

You don't need a review in order to help you decide whether or not you ought to purchase this; all you need to do is examine WHO and WHAT appears on this TWO-DISC (!) compilation.

Included amongst the principal players are : Ellington, Satchmo, Ella, Miles, Coltrane, Parker, Erroll Garner, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Nat King Cole, Count Basie, Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, and Cannonball Adderley!

Some of the music masters who lend their renowned talents to the production of this music in supporting roles are : Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, Wynton Kelly, Kenny Burrell, Nelson Riddle, McCoy Tyner, "Sweets" Edison, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, Barney Kessel, Buddy Rich, and Joe Zawinul. I mean, this is a veritable Jazz Hall Of Fame!

Sure, there are a few dogs here (in my opinion.) I gotta grit my teeth to get through Mel Torme's too-cute, LULLABY OF BIRDLAND; Chet Baker's flat and comatose, MY FUNNY VALENTINE; and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross', CLOUDBURST, which simply rains on my parade. Any one of these should have been replaced by Art Blakey & his Jazz Messenger's truly classic, 'Moanin.' OK, so there ain't nothin' perfect on this earth, but if you think I'm a-gonna give anything less than 5 Stars to a collection of unedited jazz masterpieces that includes : TAKE THE "A" TRAIN; THE "IN" CROWD; THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA; APRIL IN PARIS; KILLER JOE; CAST YOUR FATE TO THE WIND; NIGHT TRAIN; THE CAT; and TAKE FIVE (the 'Stairway To Heaven' of the JazzWorld), then yer jus' looney tunes! Man, this truly is Classic Jazz, and if you don't like what is presented here, then you and I ain't never a-gonna hear ear to ear, an' all I can say is, "MERCY, MERCY, MERCY!"

Black Legends Of Jazz: The Original Decca Recordings

Average customer rating:

Superlative jazz collection
A Great Compilation, with a few 'classics' missing

Black Legends Of Jazz: The Original Decca Recordings
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Verve Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

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Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003N43
Release Date: 1994-11-08

Tracks:

Somewhere Along The Way - Gene Ammons
Mahogany Hall Stomp - Louis Armstrong
Solitude - Louis Armstrong
Jumpin' At The Woodside - Count Basie
When The Sun Sets Down South - Sidney Bechet
Night Hop - Benny Carter
Blues In The Dark - Buck Clayton
Sweet Lorraine - Nat King Cole
Melancholy - Johnny Dodds
After You've Gone - Roy Eldridge
Mood Indigo - Duke Ellington
Lullaby Of Birdland - Ella Fitzgerald
Midnight Sun - Lionel Hampton
Body And Soul - Coleman Hawkins
Down South Camp Meetin' - Fletcher Henderson/Henry 'Red' Allen
Cavernism - Earl Hines
Good Morning Heartache - Billie Holiday
Flying Home - Illinois Jacquet
Tishomingo Blues - Bunk Johnson
Snowy Morning Blues - James P. Johnson

Tracks:

Yancey Special - Meade Lux Lewis
Coquette - Jimmie Lunceford
Something To Live For - Carmen McRae
Sepian Bounce - Jay McShann/Charlie Parker
King Porter Stomp - Jelly Roll Morton
Bump It - Jimmy Noone
Sugar Foot Stomp - King Oliver
For Dancers Only - Sy Oliver
I Won't Be Here Long - Hot Lips Page
Chant Of The Weed - Don Redman
Good Morning Blues - Jimmy Rushing
Passionette - Willie 'The Lion' Smith
Blue Serge - Billy Strayhorn
Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away: Take D) - Art Tatum
Rebecca - Joe Turner
Blow Top Blues - Dinah Washington
Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie - Chick Webb
(Keep It) In The Groove - Mary Lou Williams
One O'Clock Jump - Lester Young

Customer Reviews:

Superlative jazz collection.......2007-01-23

BLACK LEGENDS OF JAZZ is a two CD set packaged in a heavy paper slipcover very reminsicent of the type once used to house specialty multiple book sets. The 80-plus page booklet that's included is printed on matted heavyweight cream-colored paper, and has an intentional look of antiquity that is most appropos. This small tome provides a wealth of detail about performers and era.

The 40 songs of the collection, which spans DECCA's golden jazz age (1926-'59), are not in chronological or logical order. This is a hardship only if one is trying to study a year-by-year progression. Output level for all tracks is solid, remastering nothing less than superb. No heavy filtering here, no added echo or reprocessing of any kind. Source material is the best available.

DECCA's BLACK LEGENDS OF JAZZ is an absolutely great album. Highly recommended.

TOTAL RUNNING TIMES --
DISC ONE -- 61:32
DISC TWO -- 56:54

A Great Compilation, with a few 'classics' missing.......2003-09-10

Decca has put together a wide range of early Jazz from a bunch of different artists; some with tracks you would not expect, which I suspect may have been intentional, the dates vary from 1929-1959, but the latter date is a bit misleading (see track list). There is no "modern" jazz here. It is also a self-admitted limited survey, due to the label. Men like Ben Webster and Johnny Hodges are not represented due to the fact that no solos from any Decca, or Decca owned subsidiary, were deemed proper examples of either. But what is included is always classic, even if not the most obvious candidate for the artist. Making up for any shortcomings in that regard is the 79 page booklet included, which is really half the presentation. Well done, informative, and richly packaged, it is a great companion to the disc, and a great gift idea for a jazz aficianado.

Music:

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