5 comments about The Music of Johnny Mathis: A Personal Collection.

1. I,have listened to these 4 C.d.'s over and over again and I, had difficulty giving any of these C.D's less than 10 of 10.Finally I,had to rate them 10 and 10 plus. IF there was ever a desert island disc, this is it. Solo's, duets they are all there. By the way I,love "Feelings and I, am thrilled that he included it.
   .



2. If you enjoy Johhny Mathis you will I am sure find this collection of Johnny's personal selction a treat to your ears.
   I was a teenager in high school during the late 50's when Johnny made what I believe to be some of his very best songs.
   This collection is so masterfully reproduced that the quality is phenomenal. So much better on CD's than the LP vinyls that we had back then. And of course the stereo systems that we have now further enhance the listening experience. Unfortunately Johnny's voice is now no longer anywhere near what it was back then so I am so pleased that we have these great songs archived on this new media.
   I just can't get enough of this great and wonderful voice. I'm just worried that I might wear out my stereo from playing these albums over and over again.



3. Although the products I ordered in December were just fine, the DHL delivery via llama was unbelievably slow and subsequently not received at all in time for Christmas. Amazon did reship, taking their own time about it, but at least used another carrier. Compared to everything else I ordered online at the same time, all free shipping by the way, this was absolutely the worst!



4. Excellent! A LOT of good tracks. Well worth the price.



5. I had forgotten how great Johnny Mathis is until I recently watched his "50 Year concert celebration on PBS. I enjoyed it so much, especially one song, "99 Miles from LA" that I went on Amazon to find one of his cd's that had this song in it. Fortunately for me, I decided on this personal collection. It is hard to believe that I have four cd's in this collection that contain so many wonderful favorites of his that are absolutely fabulous and for such a small $ amount. Anybody that wants to revisit Johnny Mathis cannot go wrong with this collection. Bravo, Johnny.

5 comments about The Complete Cole Porter Songbooks.

1. The set is exactly as it is billed: a compendium of Cole Porter covers by VERVE jazz artists. Want Frank's cover of Under My Skin? Don't like Ella's live performance in the VERVE set? Then burn your own CD. In doing so, the VERVE set will be an invaluable resource.



2. First off, this is a 'Verve' jazz box set of Cole Porter tunes. Verve. The jazz label. Which means the box probably has jazz tunes on it. Right? Jazz renditions of Porter tunes. Now use that brain folks, God didn't put it there to keep the wind from making a whistling sound through your head... if you want original Porter tunes done pre-1940 in that scratchy 78 revolutions sound stay far away from this compilation (try the excellent 'You're The Top: Cole Porter In The 1930s' box instead). Classic Verve jazz fanatics know what they will find on this set, beautiful renditions of Cole Porter standards by 'jazz' (there's that jazz word again) greats. Renditions. Not tinny Artie Shaw recordings (don't get me wrong, I love Artie Shaw too) off of wax cylinders. Look at the listings, Louie Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Clifford Brown, Roland Kirk... no Frank or Dean or Tony BECAUSE they didn't record for Verve. It's a 'Verve' box set. And what you get is an extraordinary collection of jazz performances of Porter tunes.



3. If you are looking for the quintessential Cole Porter collection, keep looking. If you're looking for some classical renditions of Cole Porter favorites keep looking. What this is, in my opinion, is a collection of songs that were obviously easy to get royalty wise. A bunch of scat singing on the vocals by Ella Louie and Mel, and a bunch of challenges to the musical scales by improvisation-happy saxophonists. No Frank, Dean, Perry, Tony. In this collection you get Cole Porter lyrics but not enough Cole Porter music. Cole must be spinning in his grave so fast he could reach the center of the earth in a New York minute if he was interred vertically.



4. No lover of American song should be without these terrific Verve box sets. I agree that the Verve catalog is more jazz-oriented than some others. Listeners who prefer more straight-up renditions of the American song standards might prefer the "Capitol Sings" series. But don't throw out the baby with the bathwater!

   The Verve sets aren't just for the jazz afficionado. Goodness gracious, there are performances by Fred Astaire, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald on these disks -- I love all of them, but I would hardly call them avant garde.

   True, the instrumental disks (one in each 3CD set) bop a little harder. That's why Verve wisely also sells these songbooks as separate CDs, too. Buyers who prefer the vocal versions can save a little money by buying a la carte. The vocal CDs do mix in some Shirley Horn and Betty Carter, and other "progressive" artists, to good effect. Those less-familiar versions only serve to refresh the timeless wonder of of the talents of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and our other great songwriters.




5. While I can appreciate the opinions of the other reviewers I just had to write and disagree. Maybe I'm just not as much of a purist as the others, but it seems to me that music should be reinvented from time to time. It's what keeps it alive and vital.

   The performances and performers on this CD are top-rate. It was in fact this collection of such talent that introduced me to Porter in the first place and I'm grateful to it's makers. Since first listening to it a few years ago I've developed more of a taste for thirties style musical numbers, but some of these tracks are still my favorite takes on his music.

   I will agree that this collection will appeal to you more if you like jazz. If you do though, you can't go wrong with the material that these fine artists have worked with.

1 comments about The Complete Rodgers & Hart Songbooks.

1. If you like the music of Rodgers & Hart done with a classical jazz theme you will like this compilation cd because you will hear familar music by unfamiliar arstists, as well as artists you know and love. It expands your knowledge of artists and their music. This cd is no exception. I prefer the music of Rodgers & Hart to Rodgers and Hammerstein. Listen to some sound clips and decide for yourself- you won't be dissapointed.

2 comments about Overtures of Broadway.

1. This is really a pretty good set. What another reviewer seems to ignore is that a lot of these shows are from the 40's, 50's, and 60's, when "Guy Lombardo" style arrangements were the norm. Since there were never enough strings, the arrangers (Robert Russell Bennett, Don Walker and many more) used a lot of trumpet and sax leads to get the sound out of the pit and over the voices of the chattering audience. Anyway, I think it's a good representative set. What a shame that "show tunes" has become a pejorative. The tunes on this disk make up a large part of the Great American Songbook!



2. I love the overtures to Broadway shows, so I was more than a little disappointed at this 3 CD set. Although the liner notes boast that the original orchestrations were used throughout I find that a little hard to believe, since the selection of instruments seems the same in almost all of the overtures presented, with a preponderance of trumpets and heavy reliance on saxaphones--Kind of the Guy Lombardo approach. Worse, some of the music you know by heart, like the overture to "West Side Story" is so mis-interpreted and played with such bizarre tempi that at times one is not exactly sure what musical one is listening to. Still, some of the overtures are not played half-bad and with all its blemishes it is the only collection of its kind that I know of. This collection could have been outstanding if only someone had given the various Conductors the original cast recordings to steer them in the right direction as far as interpretation goes. That's the Producer's job and it makes me wonder where he was during the recording sessions. Oh, well. I listen to it a lot anyway and simply tell the CD player to skip the selections I can't stand. Only the Buddha is perfect, I guess.

5 comments about Concepts.

1. I recently have started to collect Frank's music. I have decided to work backwards from his Reprise years back to his Dorsey days. I saw the price on this set at several retailers for well over 225, but Amazon has an amazing sale on it right now, so my girlfriend bought it for me as a gift.
   
   When I got the set, I remember reading that the set was no longer the 16 individual albums but now in slip cases. Thats what I got. It is a gorgeous set with a very nice hard bound book and the CDs in well made slip cases. My gripe about the set though it that its very hard to get the CD books out of the main box, as they get stuck in there.
   
   The music is too good for words. Sinatra's Reprise years had some great music and some terrible music all mixed up. Not his Capitol recordings, they are all just amazing. Others on Amazon have mentioned that some of the songs overemphasize Sinatra's voice and I can definately see what they mean. When these discs are played on my high-end audio system in the house, this is very noticeable. When played in the car or on the computer, its not as much so. It is a good transfer of the music though, with no major problems.
   
   All in all, well worth the green. If your considering this set (as I was for a while), the current Amazon price is the one to go for!



2. Nothing needs to be said about the artistic quality of these recordings. However, the CONCEPTS box set has been re-released in the spring of 2007 with new packaging and is no longer available in the wooden box described in somee of the older reviews. The new slim, cloth-bound set holds the individual CDs in two small book-like boxes, without jewels cases and separate booklets (it looks exactly like The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings). The accompanying book seems to be the same in terms of contents, if not cover design.



3. I bought this collection of Sinatra for my 90 year old blind father. It has brought back so many memories for him: I have heard stories about the courtship of him and mom, stories of his military service, and many more stories about his life . . . all sparked by hearing "Blue Eyes" sing a certain song. A family friend came over and upon hearing some of the music, told a story of going into NYC on the subway when she was 11 years old to see Sinatra perform live. In reliving some of these memories, I have been able to glean some very key information in my geneology research. I'm so glad I got this set for dad.



4. For me, it began years ago when I bought the abridged, "best of" compilations from each of his label periods. After awhile, what I had wasn't enough, and I have since forked out the cash for his Columbia (wood) box, and now this beauty, "Concepts". For those like me years ago, you simply have no idea what an embarrassment of riches is to be found inside this masterfully crafted box. Disc after disc of amazing work from one of the all-time legends, you will not believe your ears it is all so amazing. Now, I cannot speak to the issue of whether the sound quality is as good as it should be according to some of the other reviews for this, but it seems like a few titles seem to be missing some sonic "ooomph". Overall, I cannot complain too harshly. It's worth every penny. Buy one before they sell out, you won't regret it.



5. If you are a fan of Sinatra's music, this collection is well worth the price. You will not be disappointed; this collection is a musical masterpiece. With arrangements from Nelson Riddle and Billy May, Sinatra's voice has never been better.
   These albums represent what have been referred to as the first "concept albums". Rather than a miscellaneous collection of songs, the albums have been carefully constructed to set a certain "mood". The collection consists of upbeat "swing" albums as well as records featuring the ballad or, in the words of the Chairman, the "saloon" songs. A Christmas album as well as an instrumental album is also featured in this set.
   If you seriously love "the Voice", you'll love this collection.

2 comments about Playboy's 40th Anniversary: Four Decades Of Jazz (1953-1993).

1. Jazz and all that implies. Yes, four decades of it on four discs. Brubeck, Torme, Garner, Ellington, Davis, Hancock, they are all here plus many others. The book that comes with this set is very good. It's the sort of thing I look for in a boxed set. I not only like the music and discs, but I like to have information and photos and this set has it all. Above average all around.



2. This album is perfect for the jazz lover, or someone just persuing the musical genre of jazz. I really enjoy the album and it is so complete, with jazz hits from 4 decades. It comes with a lovely, informative book with pictures and information about many of the hits and artists on the album. Although this item is slightly pricey, it is a fairly good value for all the music. You will most likely enjoy this album and the wonderful collection of jazz hits.

4 comments about The Complete Dinah Washington on Mercury, Vol. 7 (1961).

1. Add this to your must have Dianh Washington list. Do not hesitate..it is brillant.



2. I was just 20 years old in 1963 when I saw the headline that football star Dick "Night Train" Lane's wife had died of a drug overdose. Almost as an after-thought, they added that he had been her 7th husband, she was only 37 years old...and, oh yes, she happened to be a singer named Dinah Washington. Memories......well, I guess that's what The Queen Of The Blues is all about. Memories of the greatest blues singer who ever lived. She had no equal then, she has no equal now. And I also decided a long time ago that if I could only pick one singer to have "piped" into me 6 feet under throughout eternity, Dinah would be the one. If God limited me further, I would pick 2 specific CD's.....Volume 6 and this one, Volume 7, of the "Complete Dinah Washington on Mercury" series.

   While 6 contains many more recordings immediately associated with Dinah ('What A Difference a Day Makes,' 'Manhattan,' 'September in the Rain,' 'This Bitter Earth,' 'I Remember You,' and her unforgettable 'Unforgettable') Volume 7 provides just as many classics with enough whimsical nuances or variations in delivery to make each song sound new, even if it's the 800th playing! Special favorites here are 'Without a Song' coupled with 'With a Song in My Heart;' 'Blue Skies;' a revival meeting version of 'Pagan Love Song;' darkly personal renderings of 'Mood Indigo,' 'Mad About the Boy,' 'Am I Blue,' 'In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning;' and the masterpiece of them all, 'Cabin in the Sky.'

   You truly need to buy both Volume 6 and 7. It'll be expensive, but send 'em a hundred bucks. You'll get change, plus many more than a hundred hours of the greatest musical pleasure you'll ever experience in this lifetime (or maybe even the next!)




3. Going thru this 3-CD set will keep you glued to your CD player for days, since there's almost 80 songs here, but it's well worth it. The orchestration on this set isn't the most imaginative. Quincy Jones gives Dinah an efficient back-up but the charts aren't written with a lot of creativity. Belford Hendricks is the other arranger here and he drenches Dinah in syrupy strings and violins as well as back-up choruses. But Dinah overcomes the arrangement shortcomings with her remarkable voice, her artistry, her interpretation of the songs---she's just simply remarkable. Dinah revisits some of the songs she first did back in the early 1950s and her re-interpretations of her older versions may first feel awkward, but then you realize her newer versions have a wise, knowing feel to them because this woman has LIVED thru the hard, painful times, and her songs reflect the wisdom gained thru experience. Well worth it, Dinah



4. These CD's are some of Dinah Washington at her best. Ella Fitzgerald has a much finer voice, but Dinah resonates with a quiet, unequaled raw power. She manages to sing from real pain and joy and settles in to stay --somewhere deeper than your very bone marrow. In an honored, timeless place all her own, Dinah is Goddess of the Blues and will live, and sing, forever. If you don't own any of her Mercury collections, THIS is the one to buy first. If you already love her music, this one won't disappoint you. You can listen to this collection, and easily imagine that she is probably singing in heaven now to remind the angels of what it means to be human . . . and of the earthly realm.

3 comments about The Complete Gershwin Songbooks.

1. While each of the three discs can be purchased separately, their individual strengths make "The Complete Gershwin Songbooks" very worthwhile. Since the music of George and Ira Gershwin has been recycled so many times, what makes this collection so valuable? This question can be answered with two words: quality control. The vintage musical choices are stellar. Many of the versions are sublime. The performers are first rate featuring Bing Crosby, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, Clifford Brown, Art Tatum and so the list of luminaries goes on. In terms of genres, the music could be described as straight jazz, not excluding a jigger of croonerism and big band. This compilation will resonate with jazz purists who find the original stage versions a tad corny. "'S Marvelous" and "'S Wonderful" feature vocal interpretations. There are several candidates for definitive versions. Armstrong & Fitzgerald's 'Let's Call The Whole Thing Off,' Holiday's 'Nice Work If You Can Get It' and Armstrong's 'There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon' may be the ultimate versions of these standards. Those who believe that Sinatra performed the conclusive version of 'A Foggy Day' should listen to Dinah Washington's rendition. "'S Paradise" features instrumental music. Bill Evans and Jim Hall shine on the elegantly somber 'My Man's Gone Now.' Expectedly, Oscar Peterson dazzles on 'Strike Up The Band.' Featuring each track's personnel and any significant background information, the liner notes are detailed. The box is attractive and features Art Deco flappers painting the town red. The three discs can be individually acquired for a fraction of the box set's price through Amazon's marketplace sellers. "The Complete Gershwin Songbooks" is essential for any listener who appreciates both jazz and the music of Gershwin.



2. This is a great selection on the Verve label of many of their best artists performing George Gershwin's songbook, recorded certainly mostly during the 50's. From Billie Holiday to Louis, Ella, Blossom and Fred. these are classic versions of classic songs, the recording quality is excellent, the programming is spot on and of course the songs are of the best.
   3 Cd's and over three hours so good value, enjoy!



3. This collection exemplifies what made Gershwin so great. A prolific songwriter, Gershwin attracted many wonderful vocalists eager to express their rendition of his works. This collection showcases the talents of some of the greats: Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Holiday, Louis Armstrong and the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald to name a few. A terrific addition to your collection.

No comments about Great Voice of Soul.

2 comments about Love and Passion.

1. I agree this is a wonderful collection of Piaf, by far the best I've heard, and containing almost all her songs. If you want the lyrics for these songs, go to www.paroles.net/artis/1001.



2. Edith Piaf was to popular French music of the 1930s to the 1950s as Sinatra was to American music; an unstoppable force. Much like Sinatra Piaf sang with a naked raw emotion and a gritty evocativeness that cuts to your heart, and like Sinatra her voice is immediately identifiable. "Love and Passion" is a truly massive helping of Piaf's recordings from 1936 to 1950, the prime of her recording years and includes many of her most memorable signature songs. Even if you don't understand a word of French you cannot miss the powerful delivery and evocative nature of Piaf's voice, and if you understand French you fully comprehend the gripping and vital lyrics of love, loss, anger, regret, and a life well lived with no regrets. The sound quality on the recordings is quite good, especially when compared with other recordings of the era that have sometimes been inadeptly re-mastered. I've seen quite a few Piaf compilations over the years but nothing matches the beadth, scope, quality, and depth of this collection. Any beginner should start here.