CD-Charts Position 41
Average Rating:

An Anthology of Big Band Swing (1930-1955)

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 26, 1993
While there was a renaissance of interest in swing in the 1990s, and while much of this was among a relatively younger --late 20s, 30s, 40s-- audience, swing CDs are increasingly out of print.
Decca and Brunswick recorded many important swing artists in the 1930s and 1940s, the period of focus in this collection.
We are fortunate that GRP has assembled a wide variety of performers on this collection. You have hot swing performers; and you also have more laid back performers such as Glen Gray's Casa Loma Orchestra.
The music on this collection swings! --Even the Glen Miller track is up-beat.
Some reviews in the discographical literature kvetch about the quality of anthologies. They always expect something more: more ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 42
Average Rating:

Now Is the Hour

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Charlie Haden Quartet West

Release Date April 02, 1996
Quartet West is simply one of the most creative and listenable groups in jazz. This time to add to the already stellar line-up, Alan Broadbent contributes some beautiful string arrangements. The strings here are by no means window dressing but an integral part of this music. Ernie Watts has become one of my favorite tenor saxophonists and his playing here is so emotional and heart-wrenching. The real draw here is the simplicity of the material and how the quartet (plus strings) expounds and expands each selection into a masterpiece. There are a few stringless offerings which are equally as swinging and engaging. I love this group!!

CD-Charts Position 43
Average Rating:

Miles & Quincy Live at Montreux

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Miles Davis, Quincy Jones

Release Date August 10, 1993
I was fortunate to be in Montreux for this wonderful evening. This recording far exceeds the audio quality we had in the hall. I am delighted with the sound ( and, of course, Miles and Q) and the memories it revives.

CD-Charts Position 44
Average Rating:

The Great Summit: The Complete Sessions

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington

Release Date August 01, 2000
I can't image why these two CDs are rarely listed under essential to a well rounded jazz collection. The two greatest jazz masters unite along with Young,Bigard, Herbert and Barcelona, who are also wonderful. With Ellington's compositions & piano playing and Armstrong's strong voice & trumpet performance, both hold the listener spellbound. Plus, we get to listen in on the false starts and the conversations between takes!

CD-Charts Position 45
Average Rating:

City of Glass: Stan Kenton Plays Bob Graettinger

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Stan Kenton

Release Date August 01, 1995
I'm a Kenton fan of many decades, and it steams me to see reviewers touting The City of Glass. It isn't jazz, it isn't classical music; indeed, it's barely music at all. Graettinger was, well, eccentric, and somehow Stan took him (and himself) seriously. The result is nonsense, as the musicians who had to play it admitted. From the 1940s through the 1970s, Stan Kenton wrote and played a lot of excellent jazz. It is silly to contend that the Graettinger opus or the Tex Ritter album were significant parts of that history. In fact, they were the least of all that Stan and his great bands did.

CD-Charts Position 46
Average Rating:

Skies of America

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Ornette Coleman

Release Date May 02, 2000
this is a symphonic work composed by a jazz artist in the american symphonic tradition of charles ives and aaron copeland. where most symphonic composers include folk songs within their compositions, coleman in his skies includes references from his own previous work, most recognizibly is the theme from dancing in your head.

he makes evident he's a jazz artist by playing his alto, the first time in the composition, in the aptly entitled, the artist in america.

place in space is the quintessential theme for all space travel, actual and cinematic.

the men who live in the white house is a piece for solo alto sax, a tribute to the holders of america's highest office, metaphorically: a position high as the sky, one more american sky. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 47
Average Rating:

Oscillatin' Rhythm: Great Swing Hits in Hi-Fi

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date November 18, 1997
This album is one of the few historical "Swing Compilations" I have found that has excellent sound quality. The tunes seem largely to have been recorded in the late 1950's at Capitol Records. That is probably why the sound quality is so good.

Capitol is know for breaking ground in audio quality. This company was one of the first to record using the early multi-track recorders (three tracks--stereo background and separate vocal track). This company had an underground chamber designed for reverb.

The music on the recording is also of the highest quality and largely "up-tempo", danceable tunes. There is plenty of Basie and Ellington, Goodman, James and special recreations by the Glen Gray Casa Loma Orchestra.

These ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 48
Average Rating:

Woody Allen's Movie Music

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date April 05, 2004
The variety of music on this cd makes it worth the purchase alone, the cd case also tells you which movie the song was featured in. A very fun cd for any Woody Allen fan. I had been originally looking for some of his ragtime band music (the one that he still tours with) when I stumbled upon this beauty. Enjoy! A great purchase!

CD-Charts Position 49
Average Rating:

Reflections

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Stan Getz

Release Date June 24, 2003
This was a demonstration that Stan Getz refused to be boxed into any one area of music and for that he deserves tons of credit. Whether it was lilting bossa-nova or unique classically-infused outings like the brilliant "Focus", Stan was indeed taking risks. On "Reflections", he goes for a more commercial pop angle and succeeds about half the time, not because of his playing so much as Claus Ogerman's arrangements which can range to very thoughtful and colorful to outright schlock that gets DANGEROUSLY close to Ray Conniff Singers territory.

The real gems include "Moonlight In Vermont" with its sweeping arrangement, "Love" with its fiery percolating Latin rhythms and Stan just letting loose, "Spring Can Hang You Up The Most" and "Nite Street" are real highlights too ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 50
Average Rating:

Stan Kenton Today

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Stan Kenton

Release Date February 08, 2005
AS someone who was privileged to have been at the original concert at the royal festival hall,this brought back not only wonderful memories but also all one associated with the music of stan kenton.This time touring with young talented musicians recruited from colleges and universities throughout the U.S.A.who continued to play in the tight precision one came to expect from their leader but with youthful exuberance.The finale of The National Anthem should have adopted and played throughout the country to show how it should be played!
A true Stan the Man interpretation