CD-Charts Position 91
Average Rating:

Down In The Basement: Joe Bussard's Treasure Trove of Vintage 78s 1926-1937 (Jewel Case with 28-page booklet)

CD-Charts > Music > Swing Jazz
by: Uncle Dave Macon, Rev Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Stripling Brothers, Kokomo Arnold, Bill Johnson's Louisiana Jug Band, Long Cleve Reed, Charley Jordan, Blind Blake, Ernest Stoneman

Release Date June 17, 2003
After seeing " DESPERATE MAN BLUES " on TV; I found out about this CD & knew that I had to own it. Even though ( as I indicated in a prior review ) I am NOT a 78 rpm Collector; I do know that this CD really is a TREASURE TROVE of some extremely special records that are definitely worth listening to. Kudos to JOE BUSSARD for being the superb Collector that he so obviously is & for putting this incredible Collection together !!!......My only question is ( as other reviewers have also inquired )......JOE; HAVING SOME AWARENESS OF THE EXTENT OF YOUR COLLECTION.....WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO FOLLOW UP WITH ANOTHER CD LIKE THIS ?????

CD-Charts Position 92
Average Rating:

The Best of Art Tatum

CD-Charts > Music > Swing Jazz
by: Art Tatum

Release Date October 25, 1990
This is a "must have" cd. Hearing Art Tatum play brings tears to my eyes- Incredible.

CD-Charts Position 93
Average Rating:

Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert

CD-Charts > Music > Swing Jazz
by: Benny Goodman

Release Date November 02, 1999
This concert marked the high point of big band jazz. The best musicians of the period, Harry James, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Benny, and many more went all out for this event.
This recording captures all of the vibrations of that evening. It has the applause segments, some commentary by Benny himself, recorded some years later, the full range of each instrument and a real sense of being there.
The price of all this is that some snaps and crackles from the original are not filtered out. The virtuosity of each musician comes through!

CD-Charts Position 94
Average Rating:

Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 4: Bachelor Pad Royale

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

Release Date February 20, 1996
From the start of Nelson Riddle's "Theme from Route 66" this album jumps out @ the listener, with this being easily one of the BEST TV themes ever produced, very catchy and very cool, more reminiscent of just a hip lounge piece and is perfect to introduce this package. John Buzon's "Caravan" is another fun spin on what is one of the several out there of this great tune, this one being played a bit like a rhumba! Line Renaud's "Sexe" is nothing special but it's very slick and is a little like something that would have come from the cavern clubs during the beat era. I can't say enough about Lou Busch's jazzy "Cool", adapted from the already jazz-cool Bernstein musical "West Side Story". This is just another good rendition offered, although here instrumental and ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 95
Average Rating:

The Essential Charlie Parker

CD-Charts > Music > Swing Jazz
by: Charlie Parker

Release Date November 03, 1992
I'm not saying 'The Essential Charlie Parker' is bad at all. It's actually superb, if I'm being honest. But, I can't give this five stars. Why, you may ask?

Well, there are just so many better options. Now I realize that to many, this is the ideal Parker collection and this is the one that people buy. But there are box sets, regular compilations, you name it.

My advice is buy the single disc 'Ken Burns JAZZ: Charlie Parker.' That spans 1941-1952, his entire career basically, and includes all of his classics.

And, most of the songs here are on that one as well. And that one adds some of his duets with Dizzy Gillespie (like 'Salt Peanuts) and his early years with Jay McShann.

But this still has the basics. 'Bloomdido,' ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 96
Average Rating:

Three Suites

CD-Charts > Music > Swing Jazz
by: Duke Ellington

Release Date February 01, 2008
I'm not much on jazz, so I can't really comment on how it compares to Ellington's other work or other jazz. But if you know someone who likes to have as wide a variety of Christmas music as possible, get them this. A large part of the collection is a bunch of renditions on the most memorable of the Nutcracker music.

CD-Charts Position 97
Average Rating:

The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order

CD-Charts > Music > Swing Jazz
by: Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli

Release Date May 16, 2000
This is a great overview of Django and Grapelli's output. If you're going to own only one moderate-sized box set, this is an excellent choice. Diehard completists should move on up to Fremaux's Intégrale series.

CD-Charts Position 98
Average Rating:

The Best of the Hot Club of Cowtown

CD-Charts > Music > Swing Jazz
by: Hot Club of Cowtown

Release Date August 19, 2008
This is a great overview of Django and Grapelli's output. If you're going to own only one moderate-sized box set, this is an excellent choice. Diehard completists should move on up to Fremaux's Intégrale series.

CD-Charts Position 99
Average Rating:

Plays Well with Others

CD-Charts > Music > Swing Jazz
by: Wayne Bergeron

Release Date January 09, 2007
Man, between Wayne's masterful playing on the horn and Vinnie's superb drumming, I am in heaven. You wade your way through so many mediocre collections, bands that have the talent to blow you away but either choose tepid songs, lame arrangements, or just don't gel as a unit, this band does all those things you want a dynamic big band to do. Hits you square between the eyes, like the "Swingin for the Fences" disc does, from Gordon Goodwin. As Emeril would say, BAM!

Top notch big band music that makes you feel alive.

CD-Charts Position 100
Average Rating:

Exclusively for My Friends

CD-Charts > Music > Swing Jazz
by: Oscar Peterson

Release Date November 17, 1992
If your a Peterson fan,this is the 'loin cut'.In this well-rounded collection,there are two trio formats, including the high calibre playing of SAM JONES and RAY BROWN,BOBBY DURHAM,ED THIGPEN,AND LOUIS HAYES on bass and drums respectively. All provide exceptional support throughout this collection.And in addition,Peterson presents us with a beautiful set of solo piano pieces which could well be considered the 'companion' to his other brilliant solo recording,'TRACKS'.This comes very highly reccommended, as it represents the quintessential example of piano performances in the trio and solo platforms at the very highest level from one of the greatest legends of the piano in modern jazz history. Highlights for me were 'AT LAST LONG LOVE',and'TIN TIN DEO',which are great examples of how much ... Read More: