Jazz Collection [Import]

I Want To Be Happy
Pennies From Heaven
Ballad Medley: Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered/I Don't Know Why I Just Do/How Long Has This...
I'm Glad There Is You
Tour's End
I Was Doing All Right
Bronx Blues
Three Little Words
Detour Ahead
Sunday
Blues For Herky

Amazon.com

Stan Getz and Oscar Peterson were both consummate performers, comfortable at any tempo, when they met for this 1957 recording, and they're clearly enjoying one another's skills on ballads and uptempo tunes alike. The group is one of the finest editions of Peterson's trios, with bassist Ray Brown and guitarist Herb Ellis. It's virtually a machine for quiet swing, and the absence of a drummer lets Getz's silky sound come to the fore with all its details intact. For all his fame as a virtuosic pianist, Peterson is an underrated accompanist. He complements a soloist with deft fills and unobtrusive propulsion, and the backgrounds he supplies here are as subtle as his solos are extroverted. The program is a good mix of standards and Getz originals, including the joyous "Tour's End," while the extended ballad medley could define jazz lyricism. There's also a brief but infectious version of Ellis's "Detour Ahead," the guitarist's early and highly successful foray into songwriting. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Predictably excellent, but don't stop here........2007-07-14

It's curious that the Amazon description introduces Peterson as an "underrated accompanist" when he virtually served Norman Granz as "house pianist" thoughout the 1950s, accompanying everybody in sight--Getz, Webster, Anita O'Day, Ella, Pops, Prez, etc. Simply because listeners are understandably drawn to Peterson the supreme virtuoso soloist since Art Tatum is not necessarily a reflection on the public's sentiments regarding his accompanying ability. No doubt he's the most active, prolifically recorded of all accompanists!

Oscar himself said that there was one soloist who was especially challenging: Sonny Stitt's intricate bebop lines contained so much linear complexity, according to Oscar, that it was easy to become distracted, so completely wrapped up in what Stitt was doing that he could lose his place as accompanist. Oscar was referring to some of their mid-50s Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts. The two are definitely on the same page on a Verve disc that, shamefully if not scandalously, has not seen release as a domestic reissue: "Sonny Stitt Sits in with the Oscar Peterson Trio."

The session is currently available as an import and at a reasonable price in the Jazz in Paris series, and is a recording that some listeners, like me, are likely to go to more frequently than this Getz-Peterson session for at least two reasons: 1. Stitt plays dead-on Bird on alto saxophone on half the session before switching to tenor for dead-on Prez for the second half--at the same time, with as inimitable a voice and identifiable a sound as Getz, except on two instruments; 2. The presence of drums, which distinguishes this session from the Getz meeting, is in some respects restricting to a musician like Oscar but at the same time a plus, since not all of the swing energy is generated by his piano. As a result, Oscar relaxes, plays melodic lines reflecting the logic of Stitt's letter-perfect but always soulful inventions, and allows the listener to settle into a tight, secure and infectious rhythmic pocket.

Great - The Best of the Best.......2007-01-27

There are so many superlatives about this album. The first thing one new to the Peterson trio may notice is the lack of drums. And yet, the trio swings so hard that it's very easy to forget. Getz's soft, gentle tone on sax makes a stark but highly effective foil to Peterson's high-energy keyboard acrobatics and staggering virtuosity. The bass and guitar hold everything together transparently, working together in perfect syncronization during the solos, to keep the energy at a proper pitch at all times, then peeling off to do their own magic when it's their turn to solo. The speedy opening cut, "I Want to Be Happy", constantly pops with surprises and new textures. Often, I'll play it twice in a row because it's so much fun to listen to. This album is top jazz musicians at the top of their game.

"I'm Glad There Is You . . .".......2007-01-27

"This is one of the enjoyable recordings I've ever made. How refreshing is it to play with these pros." ~ Stan Getz ~

"This memorable session was Stan Getz and Oscar Peterson's first and only meeting in the recording studio as co-leaders. Stan Getz and Oscar Peterson Trio remains a most satisfying collaboration and is presented here - in its entirety - for the first time." ~ Nat Hentoff ~

Stan Getz with Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis and Ray Brown? Yes, indeed, on this CD! The group will utterly delight you with their outstanding performances. While I tremendously enjoyed this CD in its entirety, the part I love most is the ballad medley, which the group perfectly performed. I believe this medley is the crowning glory of this album. It's so beautiful that I can just put track #3 on a repeat mode and forget the rest of the tracks! What a brilliant idea to do a medley of all these songs so meaningful to me. This medley alone is worth the price of the CD. The songs and its respective soloists are as follow.

"Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered" - Stan Getz, tenor sax
"I Don't Know Why, I Just Do" - Herb Ellis, guitar
"How Long Has This Been Going On" - Oscar Peterson, piano
"I Can't Get Started" - Ray Brown, bass
"Polka Dots And Moonbeams" - Stan Getz, tenor sax

Also one of my favorites tunes here is "I'm Glad There Is You." Stan Getz's genius shows in every note of this superb and melodic track, and Herb Ellis plays his guitar in a very creative fashion. This is one of the most sublime and notable instrumental versions of all-time. It starts off artistically with Ellis' guitar then Getz joins in slightly overpowering Ellis' guitar to make the most enchanting mix of sax and guitar simultaneously, then comes that gorgeous "solo showdown" between Getz and Ellis. It's so beautiful! I listened to it with a few repeats.

Stan Getz can swing, too! Just listen closely to "I Want To Be Happy," "Pennies From Heaven," "Three Little Words" and his very own "Blues For Herky" and "Tour's End." He plays his favorite instrument effortlessly with ease, precision and virtuosic flair.

When jazz greats get together for a gig, the result is one fantastic album such as this.

An enjoyable musical journey.

Great rythym section.......2006-11-04

As a jazz guitar player, i personally love stan getz, and to hear him with ray brown, one of my favorite and greatest bass players ever. This was also the first i have listened to Herb Ellis play, his parts are a bit quiet but hey all guitarist were quiet until Charlie Christian. All in Four Really great musicians playing together, if you like this , check out russell malone, ray brown and monty alexander's Cd.

Herb Ellis & Ray Brown: Rhythm Machine.......2006-10-04

I love this recording, and all the other reviews have discussed the many reasons why it is so great. I just want to mention something that Herb Ellis said about playing with Ray Brown. Herb said that Ray's bass playing made him feel like he was being physically lifted up and carried along by some super-strong giant. Mr. Brown is the model of powerful swing - massive,deep tone, atomic sense of time. On this (and other) OPT recordings you can hear him lift-'n-carry the whole band.

Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971

Average customer rating:

MONO-TOWN
the sound of a young america
Longer Songs
Pretty Much All You Need
This is the Motown sound!

Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Motown
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1972-1992
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ASIN: B000006NUW
Release Date: 1992-11-03

Tracks:

Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong
Shop Around - The Miracles
Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
Jamie - Eddie Holland
The One Who Really Loves You - Mary Wells
Do You Love Me - The Contours
Beechwood 4-5789 - The Marvelettes
You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
Stubborn Kind Of Fellow - Marvin Gaye
Two Lovers - Mary Wells
You've Really Got A Hold On Me - The Miracles
Come and Get These Memories - Martha & the Vandellas
Pride And Joy - Marvin Gaye
Fingertips- Part 2 - Little Stevie Wonder
(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave - Martha & the Vandellas
Mickey's Monkey - The Miracles
Leaving Here - Eddie Holland
The Way You Do The Things You Do - The Temptations
My Guy - Mary Wells
Devil With The Blue Dress - Shorty Long
Every Little Bit Hurts - Brenda Holloway
Baby I Need Your Loving - Four Tops
Dancing in the Street - Martha & the Vandellas
My Smile Is Just a Frown (Turned Upside Down) - Crawford, Carolyn
Needle in a Haystack - Velvelettes
Baby Love - Supremes
Come See About Me - Supremes
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) - Gaye, Marvin

Tracks:

My Girl - The Temptations
He Was Really Sayin Somethin' - The Velvelettes
Ask The Lonely - Four Tops
Shotgun - Jr. Walker & The All Stars
Nowhere to Run - Martha & the Vandellas
When I'm Gone - Brenda Holloway
OOO Baby Baby - The Miracles
I Can't Helf Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) - Four Tops
First I Look At The Purse - The Contours
The Tracks Of My Tears - The Miracles
It's The Same Old Song - Four Tops
Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things) - Martha & the Vandellas
Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While) - Kim Weston
Uptight (Everything's Alright) - Stevie Wonder
Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes
Darling Baby - The Elgins
This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) - Isley Brothers
Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam) - The Monitors
Function At The Junction - Shorty Long
(I'm A) Roadrunner - Jr. Walker & The All Stars
Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations
What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted - Jimmy Ruffin
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - Jr. Walker & The All Stars
Love Gone Bad - Chris Clark
You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - The Temptations
Heaven Must Have Sent You - The Elgins

Tracks:

Reach Out I'll Be There - Four Tops
I'm Losing You - The Temptations
Standing In The Shadows Of Love - Four Tops
It Take Two - Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston
The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game - Marvelettes
Jimmy Mack - Martha & The Vandellas
Bernadette - Four Tops
Ain't No Mountian High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
More Love - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Gladys Knight & The Pips
I Second That Emotion - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
I Wish It Would Rain - The Temptations
I Can't Give Back The Love I Feel For You - Rita Wright
Does Your Mama Know About Me - Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrel
Love Child - Diana Ross & The Supremes
For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
Cloud Nine - The Temptations
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
Baby, Baby Don't Cry - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Twenty-Five Miles - Edwin Starr
My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) - David Ruffin
What Does It take (To Win Your Love) - Jr. Walker & The All Stars
I Can't Get Next To You - The Temptations
Baby I'm For Real - The Originals
Up The Ladder To The Roof - The Supremes

Tracks:

I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
The Bells - The Originals
Gat Ready - Rare Earth
ABC - The Jackson 5
Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) - The Temptations
The Love You Save - The Jackson 5
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours - Stevie Wonder
War - Edwin Starr
It's A Shame - The Spinners
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
Still Water (Love) - Four Tops
I'll Be There - The Jackson 5
The Tears Of A Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Stoned Love - The Supremes
If I Were Your Woman - Gladys Knight & The Pips
Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) - The Temptations
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Never Can Say Goodbye - The Jackson 5
Nathan Jones - The Supremes
I Don't Want To Do Wrong - Gladys Knight & The Pips
Smiling Faces Sometimes - The Undisputed Truth
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Mavin Gaye
I Just Want To Celebrate - Rare Earth

Amazon.com

Motown did so many things well in the '60s and early '70s that this overview of the label's smashes (and some lesser-known classics) practically demands four CDs. It gets them, too, filling them with single mixes of more than 100 tracks. That the running order begins with Barrett Strong's statement of purpose "Money (That's What I Want)" and ends with Marvin Gaye's statement of concern "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" says a lot about how far the company moved in its golden decade--but no more so than what the same two cuts' differences in sound get across. The company was able to blend the smooth and the harsh in ways that few other pop entities have ever mastered, thereby getting over not only to the feet and the wallet, but to the heart. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

MONO-TOWN.......2007-02-25

HITSVILLE USA is a box set that's clearly marked as a SINGLES COLLECTION-- that means these 104 tracks are in the original monaural sound. If you're looking for stereo mixes, this isn't the collection for you. That issue aside, the only real criticism of the album is one of programming-- songs tend to be clustered by artist or group. Perhaps a more thorough shuffle was in order.

Each CD jewel case is fronted with a repro of a Gordy Co. label, including one of the very first MOTOWNs, which was pale pink in color. The accompanying 68-page long box book is quite comprehensive. Recording dates for all songs and chart positions are given. There's lots of great photos; artists and groups are given a few pages of bio each. This HITSVILLE USA four-CD box set is fairly extensive, and about all you'd ever need in a compilation of MOTOWN 45s.

TOTAL RUNNING TIMES --
DISC ONE -- 76:10
DISC TWO -- 75:21
DISC THREE -- 77:09
DISC FOUR -- 74:10

the sound of a young america.......2006-12-28

this was my true introduction to the music of motown and now i see why motown was great a lot of these song i frist heard by other artist but hearing the orginals has made appericate the motown sound so much more and i believe anyone who hears these songs will enjoy them for a lifetime and i know i am

Longer Songs.......2006-12-09

The Songs on this are FANTASTIC! I Love Mono Recording. Everyone says that if it's stereo, it "sounds better". I think NOT! It Sounds alright. But, Hey, if you want longer mono versions of the music, without the unnecessary extensions, buy this. For example, Nowhere To Run on this box set-2:58.
Motown Box-Nowhere To Run-2:46-TWELVE SECONDS!There's A Big Difference there.
Also, With Dancing In The Street, my favorite part is on this, when Martha says "Yeah", at the end, on Motown Box, 4 seconds are 'remastered'. (frown)Therefore, it is'nt there. BUT, people, There are a few notable songs missing. Quicksand, By Martha & the Vandellas, Bye Bye Baby, By Mary Wells, Playboy, by the Marvelettes, When The Lovelight starts shining through His eyes, by the Supremes, Hitch Hike, By Marvin Gaye, and others, you know what I mean? So, overall, this is the better box to get.

Pretty Much All You Need.......2006-10-17

There are so many good songs here, you can't go wrong. Don't let the whole 'mono' thing scare you away, either. With a decent stereo, these sound just fine. Just turn up the bass a little and crank it loud. I like about 80% of the songs in this collection, and for the price you can't go wrong; Nice booklet w/ lots of cool pictures included. With this collection, you'd only need to buy a handful of other discs to complete your Motown collection...

This is the Motown sound!.......2006-08-11

What is Motown all about? The answer lies within the music of this rather impressive line-up of songs on "Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971." It's the story of how a gifted songwriter, Berry Gordy, Jr., makes his way on up the ladder of success spearheading one of if not the most successful
of all R&B-based record companies during the golden age of American popular music. Detroit, Michigan, known as the Motor City, gained yet another nickname: Hitsville USA. Everyone referred to it as Motown. In this collection, all of the well-known groups (The Supremes, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Miracles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Jr. Walker & the All-Stars, The Jackson 5) are represented as well as the known solo artists (Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway). Included also are some wonderful one or two-shot wonders (Shorty Long, Brenda Holloway, Eddie Holland [of Motown's hit-making songwriting trio H-D-H], The Velvelettes, The Elgins, The Monitors, The Contours) and more. What's interesting about this set is that there are many of the well-known songs along with some songs that you probably just don't hear anymore or weren't that well-known. So you get your fair share of both like the Supremes' well-known "Baby Love" and Shorty Long's rare but wonderful "Function at the Junction." The downside of this set is nothing too alarming. Not all the artists' hit songs, big and small, are included and I think that's done so that other little-known-but-definitely-worth-discovering are given a chance at spin time, too; even some from the top artists, too. Think about it: if every single Motown record that made the charts was included, this collection would just balloon up, and there'd be no telling how far. So this is a very nice general overview of those first 12 and golden years of Motown. That's what this is all about: the general overview. Granted, if you want to investiagte further about a certain artist's music, there are numerous collections out there devoted just to them like the single "Ultimate Collection" CDs, or box collections of the artist. But, back to this one. Included within is a very nice 68-page booklet containing essays and phots of ALL the artists, plus musician credits, the track-by-track listing of the whole set, including original release date, label, and chart position.
In the middle of the book the different 45s are pictured all together on a two-page spread which was neat, and on the cover are the picture sleeves. It was an unusual move to put no artists and only songs on the back of the individual discs. The same goes for the back of the box. The paper inserts of the CD cases are record labels that have just the label name: Gordy, Soul, Motown, Tamla. Still, out of all the Motown best of various artists collections, this is the big one! It's great party music and dance music. People young and old will love this. The sound on here is terrific and powerful, but, yes, it is in mono. If you look in the back of the booklet, there is noted that the original single masters were used (the 45 RPM versions), so what does that tell you? Nevertheless, the sound is strong for 1992 remastering. Together, this set is living proof that Motown wasn't just a hit-making machine of a record-company, it was a feeling!

Average customer rating:

Ultimate Collection
Les Paul , and Mary Ford
Manufacturer: Xtra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000AUZUFA
Release Date: 2005-09-26

Tracks:

Blues Stay Away From Me
Bye Bye Blues
Chicken Reel
Cryin'
Deep In The Blues
Don't Cry, Baby
Frankie And Johnny
How High The Moon
I Wish I'd Never Seen Sunshine
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
In The Good Old Summertime
It's A Lonesome Old Town
Jazz Me Blues
Johnny Is The Boy For Me
Just One More Chance
Rosita
Lonesome Road
Mammy's Boogie
Mockin' Bird Hill
Moon Over Manakoora
Put That Ring On My Finger
Silent Night
Smoke Rings
St. Louis Blues
Tennessee Waltz
Three Little Words
Vaya Con Dios
Wabash Blues
Walkin' And Whistlin' Blues
World Is Waiting For The Sunrise

Album Details

Includes "Blues Stay Away from Me" and "Bye Bye Blues".

Average customer rating:

Single Time Swing
Best I've Heard
Entertaining, but some tracks don't belong here
Swing Revival Met "Fabulous"-ly On RCA Big Band Set
Good names but lacking energy

The Fabulous Swing Collection
Various Artists
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003GBX
Release Date: 1998-02-10

Tracks:

Don't Be That Way - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
In The Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
Opus One - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Cherokee - Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra
Non Stop Flight - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra
Casa Loma Stomp - Glen Gray & His Orchestra
Take The 'A' Train - Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra
Marie - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Minnie The Moocher - Cab Calloway & His Cotton Club Orchestra
American Patrol - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
All God's Chillun Got Rhythm - Bunny Berigan & His Orchestra
Back Bay Shuffle - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra
Cotton Tail - Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra
A String Of Pearls - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
Boogie Woogie - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Swingin' Uptown - Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra
Mary Had A Little Lamb - Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
Flying Home - Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra
Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) Parts 1 & 2/Christopher Columbus - Benny Goodman & His Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Single Time Swing.......2007-05-29

This is jitterbug. The title SWING is confusing. There is East Coast swing, West Coast swing, etc. This is big band swing. Only for limited use in teaching swing.

Best I've Heard.......2002-07-11

I purchased several swing collections previously and they all had poor quality audio - they had not been cleaned up from the original recordings. This CD is MUCH cleaner and makes for an enjoyable experience.

Entertaining, but some tracks don't belong here.......2002-04-07

The main problem with this CD is the coupling of great tracks with fairly awful ones.

On the great side, you have Benny Goodman's rollicking "Don't Be That Way" and a song destined to kill live in "Sing Sing Sing." Tommy Dorsey's beautiful "Opus One" and lively "Boogie Woogie." Duke Ellington's signature "Take The 'A' Train." Artie Shaw's bouncing "Back Bay Shuffle." Glenn Miller's theme for jitterbuggers, "In The Mood."

Then there are the disappointments. The whitebread "Casa Loma Stomp" by Glen Grey. The cringe-inducing "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" by Bunny Berigan. The extremely silly "Mary Had A Little Lamb" by Fletcher Henderson, which is especially disillusioning to hear when one considers that Henderson supplied a good many of Benny Goodman's hard swinging band arrangements!

We can at least be thankful that Kay Keiser and Hal Kemp didn't show up on this disc.

Swing Revival Met "Fabulous"-ly On RCA Big Band Set.......2001-01-14

RCA's "Fabulous Swing Collection" was released to exploit a national big band revival craze, led by groups like Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Brian Setzer's Orchestra and in full swing (pardon the pun) in 1998. That revival has cooled but this generous (19 songs, 65 minutes) set remains among the era's better one-disc compilations (all songs from RCA family labels) for now third-generation fans.

It may not have been all the classics revivalists danced to; two swingin' Louises (Prima and Jordan) recorded their jump, jive and wailin' big band tunes for Capitol and Decca Records, respectively. But many of the era's signature tunes are represented, sounding surprisingly warm in analog sound: Glenn Miller's anthemic "In The Mood," "String of Pearls," and "American Patrol," Benny Goodman's hard, wild swinging "Sing, Sing, Sing" (heard recently and famously in a cookie commercial but better in Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall concert), Cab Calloway's 1933 "Minnie The Moocher," which he performed nearly a half-century later in the first "Blues Brothers" film and here does in full-throated youthful yodel.

You also get seminal sides from Charlie Barnet ("Cherokee"), Tommy Dorsey ("Marie," "Opus One"), and Duke Ellington ("Take The 'A' Train," "Cotton Tail"). While these songs swing sweeter than 1998's martini-and-cigar crowd might have liked, "Fabulous" may well be among the few big band CDs a new fan would need. Longtime fans have these classics on the artists' original LPs (or more studious sets like Columbia's "16 Most Requested Big Band Themes") and can probably swing past it.

Good names but lacking energy.......2000-08-24

It has a good selection of songs but some of the songs are not performed with as much energy as I've heard on other CDs. Some of the songs are also slower versions of songs I love, like "In the Mood" and "Minnie the Moocher". Not a very good lindyhop CD.