1 comments about Unforgettable.

1. Nat "King" Cole's, Unforgettable [Box Set] [Import] is truly a very special and remarkable piece of work! His songs and lyrics have a quality to them like none other I know. "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" is most definitely by far his best work, and it is played here in the finest quality that the CD has to offer.

5 comments about Complete In a Silent Way Sessions.

1. This collection is a must have if you are a Miles Davis Collector or a fan of the electric era. There's a lot of new music here to explore, including some tracks with drummer Joe Chambers. High points from the previously unreleased stuff includes Joe Zawinul compositions Ascent, Directions, and something called Early Minor. Miles Davis's Ghetto Walk, a 26 minute piece is very much a missing link between Filles De Kilamajaro and Bitches Brew. There's also a "new' piece called "Splashdown", I'm unsure if that has been released elsewhere... perhaps on "Directions"? If you own Filles De Kilamanjaro, Water Babies, and In A Silent Way you will definitely duplicate some tracks but there is a lot of new stuff here. You also get to hear the raw, unedited recordings that Teo Macero used to create In A Silent Way and finally, you get the entire In A Silent Way release. Another selling point is that you get to hear some new material by quintet that featured Corea and Holland.
   
   This is money well spent if you are a Miles collector or a big fan of Miles' work between 1967 and 1972.



2. While I would like to provide a balanced review of this box set, I simply can not. I also want to avoid using clichés but "The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions" is one of the world's greatest recordings. It would seem that such a statement must surely be victim to hyperbole. Without overstatement, my case unapologetically stands. Once the listener hears a work of this lofty caliber, words become meaningless. This box set lives somewhere beneath a wave of adjectives like "greatest ever" "amazing" and "un-friggin' believable." This was a unique and all too brief time period for Miles. Before the gauntlet was thrown down with "Bitches Brew," this was Miles' light trip music. Psychedelica is omnipresent but never overpowering. This album occupies a special place that is triangulated between rock, jazz and trance music. Either this is music to contemplate at one o'clock in the morning or this is the soundtrack to a profound meditation. The original LP seems like the "In A Silent Way" starter kit compared to this full-blown box set. Indeed, this release makes the original seem painfully short since the vibe and atmosphere is consistent. The inclusion of "Dual Mr. Anthony Tillmon Williams Process" is especially appreciated. The listener must ultimately ask, so how can music be played in a silent way? Miles not only contemplates this zen paradox, he finds the path and takes us along on his vision quest. Get "The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions" and take a trip with Miles Davis on his most spiritual journey.



3. Unlike THE COMPLETE BITCHES BREW SESSIONS, which actually contains only the BITCHES BREW album as released and pads it out with subsequent recordings (many of them rehearsal jams never intended for release), THE COMPLETE IN A SILENT WAY SESSIONS delivers on the promise of its title by offering both the unedited studio workouts from which Miles' proto-fusion classic was assembled AND the clipped-and-pasted album itself. Since all of this material would run just a few minutes more than a single CD, some padding has of course been done here as well - this time in the opposite direction, with the final two tracks from the trumpeter's previous album FILLES DE KILIMANJARO (left off the QUINTET 1965-1968 box set because they were recorded after bassist Ron Carter and pianist Herbie Hancock had left the band), the original studio versions of Joe Zawinul's "Directions" (which would become Miles' signature concert opener for a number of years) and all the other tracks and jams which Davis and Company recorded during the six months before IN A SILENT WAY filling out the three-disc package. The extra tracks make good sense in this case, however, since they fill the gap between the last days of Miles' classic mid-sixties quintet and the more wholeheartedly rock-influenced turn the Maestro would begin taking with IN A SILENT WAY, and most of them are in fact of releasable quality. While casual fans (or even hardcores of the not-particularly-hard variety) would undoubtedly do better to simply grab the remastered discs of the albums themselves, tentative completists who've found the BITCHES BREW, JACK JOHNSON and CELLAR DOOR boxes to be just too damned much can rest assured that this is indeed one of Miles' more accessible "complete" compilations.



4. This boxset actually works unlike the Jack Johnson set which has multiple takes of the same song and gets somewhat tedious. Not every piece on the box set is essential but still hearing the rough drafts for "In a Silent Way" and seeing how they were spliced together to complete the final product is fascinating. Teo Macero assembled a final product that was better than the sum of its parts (unlike the Live at Fillmore, clip job disaster). And while you're at it, this music has a mellow proto-ambient vibe without suffering from the aimless meandering that much fusion would suffer from. Its hard to believe that this is the same musician who would go on to make "On the Corner" (another favorite of mine) which is as harsh and edgy as this is peaceful but then again this is so far removed from "Kind of Blue" its unbelievable. The really excellent thing about this boxset is to see how Miles' music evolved. Its not like suddenly one day he decided to go electric. The different sessions show a gradual progression. However, this is no history lesson. The music sounds as fresh as the day it was made. This is the rosetta stone of Miles music because this is where his close minded jazz purists step off and his jazz-rock fans start when it reality it is classic jazz that was cutting edge at the time and still sounds pretty damn good.



5. This is simply Miles Davis best record in my opinion. It markes a completely new transition from the more traditional jazz he had been playing. He had started the process on Filles de Kilimajaro and would continue with Bitches Brew. When I bought this CD on a very expensive japanese import at the start of the CD era, I was completely blown away. The box set is simply splendid and provides you with more touttakes taht give you an insight in this turning point. It is not yet completely what we would later call jazz rock or fusion but a blend of styles taht is incredible in its scope. Strongly recommended.

3 comments about Sax for Lovers.

1. The entire CD is great but the 9th song, For All We Know, featuring the dynamic Mr. Whalum on tenor is the best instrumental recording I have ever heard. If you're in love and you really listen to this number, you might find a tear in your eye!



2. OK, serious jazz enthusiasts, this compilation is worth acquiring and definately makes a thoughtful and unique gift. In addition to just being a wonderful collection of sensual music, its a sampling of some of the great jazz musicians of all times. If you only read the back of the CD or even the list of cuts here on Amazon, you wouldn't know that in addition to the featured artists are people like Art Farmer, Milt Jackson, Bob James and more. This one is a winner.



3. I am a massage therapist and am always looking for great relaxing instrumental music that is not in the vein of New Age or Nature (i.e. ocean sounds), and invariably most stuff ends up with a vocal or two on it so that it disrupts the smooth flow of the massage experience. With this one, my clients literally drift away on the mellow notes, and HANDS DOWN -- at the end of the session a client will ask WHERE I got the CD and if they can SEE THE LABEL so they know what to look for. This is GREAT anytime listening music and I'm going to order 1/2 dozen copies so I can have one available the next time I'm asked where someone can get it. Includes the BEST of the older musicians e.g. Stan Getz and Gerry Mulligan, as well as more recent notables like Kirk Whalum and Grover Washington, Jr. GET IT -- YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!

5 comments about Yes I Can! The Sammy Davis Jr. Story.

1. I have no idea who on Earth ever thought to record this guy. If there is any value to anything he ever did was he was funny with out knowing he was a total clown. I did enjoy laughing out loud at times but for the most part I wanted to poke out my ear drums.



2. This is the boxed set you need to get. What a varity of songs! It comes with a book and 4 disc...each disc has over 20 songs to enjoy. Disc 4 has a recording of him on stage. You can almost see him in your mind on stage, comedy, singing and his impressions of celeberities is pretty funny. Can't say more about this.



3. Even though I'm relatively new to the long list of Sammy Davis Jr's fans, I've really taken to his music. I wanted a good compilation of his music to start my collection, and after reading reviews here on Amazon, I thought this box set would be the best option. I was right.
   I've had mine for only a couple days and haven't even gotten through all the discs yet, but I'm definitely pleased with it. I was already familiar with a handful of the songs in this collection, and am enjoying the "new" songs as well. I also love seeing the rare photos of Sammy and look forward to reading the personal accounts froom his friends and fellow entertainers in the booklet that came with the set.
   I would recommend this box set for any Sammy fan.



4. This is a wonderful box set in highest quality with wonderful and rare pictures of Sammy Davis jr. Included are four artfull created CDs, the sound of the music is clear and smashing. Sammy in best-voice!



5. I cannot say enough about this box set- it has everything you could want to hear from Sammy Davis. I have always enjoyed his music and I do have one or two of his other cd's but nothing can compare to this set. I especially like the 4th disc- his imitations are just wonderful and to me it has the feel of being right there with him in the nightclub. This is one set that is going to get a lot of play!

5 comments about The Lester Young Story.

1. Lester Young has quickly become one of my all-time favorite tenor players. The price for this 4 CD box set alone makes it a must buy. However, the material here is first rate.
   
   Lester Young's solo on Ad-Lib Blues with the Benny Goodman octet is worth the price of admission alone. Lester's solo breaks are amazing! The harmonic sophistication and "badness" Lester communicates on this track makes him sound 20 years ahead of his time. Ascending and descending minor thirds in half steps, swinging relentlessly, call to mind Jackie McLean or Wayne Shorter as opposed to Benny Goodman. If one doubted Lester Young was a genius before, this set should put to rest any doubts.
   
   It is not overstating the case to say that without Lester Young modern jazz would sound entirely different. Charlie Parker was heavily influenced by Young. Thus, without Lester Young, the primary genius behind the evolution of Bebop would have sounded entirely different, or worse still, would have gone uninspired. Ornithology, a famous Parker tune, is quite evidently inspired by one of Young's solos.
   
   This set is a great example of Lester Young and a wonderful introduction to his playing for the price. If the price is not prohibitive for you, I also recommend The Complete Lester Young Studio Sessions on Verve. I sadly do not own this box set, but I have many of the albums that comprise it. I know some think that the later Lester Young is not as worth listening to as the earlier. I disagree.
   
   A relationship with the music of Lester Young will enrich your life. You should buy this set.



2. A quite complete collection from which you can have a glimpse of the golden years of jazz and listen to the most representative works from a sax master



3. This is an excellent collection, impossible not to like if this genre of jazz is what you are into. Lester Young is a very good sax player, he ranks right up there with the all-time greats. Enjoy!!!



4. If you are making your first purchase of a Lester Young CD you really can't go past this one, especially if you want an overview of his playing in his prime years. This probably has his best recordings from the beginning in '36 to '49 with maybe a few ommissions here and there, but I'd be surprised if there is a better 'Prez' compilation out there for the first time listener. Good value for money too with 4 CD's.



5. This four CD set is a comprehensive survey of Lester Young's career. The collection addresses the major phases of the tenor saxophonist's professional life and includes key performances. The first CD, "Lester Leaps In" (1936-1939) showcases Young in classic performances featuring vocalist Billie Holiday and pianists Teddy Wilson and Count Basie withWalter Page on bass, Freddie Green on guitar, and Jo Jones on drums. "Afternoon of a Basie-ite," (1939-1944) the second CD in the set, presents Young in Basie's Kansas City Seven as well as in Dickie Wells' band and as part of Billie Holiday's orchestra. Again, the performances are jazz classics. And they offer not only the Lester Young performances along with classic recordings of the Count Basie orchestra in its prime and Billie Holiday in hers. Disc 3, "Lester Leaps Again" (1943-1946) records Young with the Basie orchestra (again with the core rhythm section of Greene, Page, and Jones) as well as with his own group. It includes recordings with pianists Johnny Guarnieri and Nat Cole and drummers Sidney Catlett and Buddy Rich. The Young-Cole-Rich trio recordings are worth the price of the set. Disc 4, "Ding Dong" (1946-1949) doesn't reach the end of Young's career, but it does include performances that demonstrate that despite some reports he never lost the power and lyricism of the early years. The Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) recording (1949) with Roy Eldridge, Charlie Parker, and Flip Phillips show that even in his supposed decline he was always a force to be reckoned with. (His contemporaries said that despite his seeming lightness if he were given enough choruses Young would bury any competition.) This CD set is a tremendous bargain, particularly because it encapsulates so much great jazz. In this set Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Teddy Wilson and Count Basie and other greats of the swing era are available in cleanly remastered recordings of classic performance. The accompanying booklet contains carefully prepared discography and commentary.

2 comments about Jazz Moods: A Great Day of Jazz.

1. For the price, this is one of the better box sets of Jazz that you can purchase. The morning and evening CD's are excellent and a pretty easy listen.
   The afternoon CD or Disc 2, just did not do it for me. It was a little too upbeat and at times made me think of Mambo. That being said, it is still a good CD to listen to.
   The great thing about these CD's are they are an inexspensive way for the novice Jazz listener to experience the many different styles and songs of this genre.
   Pick this CD up, it is well worth the [money]



2. Concord Jazz presents a 3-CD collection that's right for any day, or time of the day. Look at these titles you can choose from...Disc One: "Morning Cup Of Jazz", is simply rhythmic, high-energy collection that's sure to get your coffee and adrenaline going all morning...Disc Two: "Jazz In The Afternoon", take the easy-going jazz, taking the carefree road for the day... Disc Three: "Jazz At Day's End", winding down at the end of the day, has the right combination of swinging and relaxing tracks. Stand outs: "FLYING SOUTH" with Pete Escovedo, is a wake-up call..."ISN'T THIS A LOVELY DAY?" features Carol Sloane, great mid-day tune..."YOU GO TO MY HEAD" with Mary Stallings, never sounded better.

   Concord one again, has brought to you thirty selections of quality jazz for only pennies, this exceptionally priced box-set is a collection for any lover of jazz, or music that makes the moment...pick one up, you'll be happy you did!

   (Total Time: Disc One: 61:32 on 10 Tracks & Disc Two: 63:09 on 10 Tracks & Disc Three: 56:06 on 10 Tracks)...Concord Jazz CCD3 5215...(2000)

3 comments about The Pacific Jazz Years.

1. This is a really great collection of West Coast cool. I actually enjoy this more than the standard commercial Chet Baker albums. Yes, it has some of that on the first disk, but more very lyrical and upbeat bop tunes, even big band on the last disk. If you like this style, or are even close, I recommend this. It will grow on you.



2. This may be one of the finer Pacific Jazz archives in itself, to forget for a moment the velvet sledgehammer that was Chet Baker. Including some great arrangements and performances by almost all the luminaries of West Coast jazz (Russ Freeman, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper etc.), this collection stands as a more than adequate representation of the jazz of the moment. I can sit down and hear the width of a Los Angeles street, I can see the light in the air, in every cut on these eight sides. Jazz was indeed a community event.

   As for individuals, however, Chet Baker shines as a craftsman of melody on these sides. Have a listen to some of your other recordings of the melodies tested here and you'll hear Baker structuring his approach to his improvised melodies. Some sections, some entire solos, are laid down exactly the same as in successive versions. This shouldn't surprise anyone, as jazz has often been constructed line by line in this way, but it is a joy to hear such a competent craftsman at work.

   My favorite tracks are on the first disc, which features many live takes. These are by far some of the freshest recordings Baker, Mulligan et. al, made of their material. Truly fresh, uninhibited, and to some degree, untested material that brought fame to Baker ultimately, but which emerge of the discs, beautifully engineered and produced, as the raw experiments which led to the identity of these men, but also of this region, this style (if you will) and this medium.




3. How to review a genius like Chet Baker? Sorry, I'm not in the position to do. I have no words for his outstanding work. He was incomparable, indeed.

2 comments about Young Sassy.

1. Sarah Vaughan has been my favorite for a long while, ever since the Acure commercial featuring her "Key Largo". I purchased this boxed set about a year ago, and I have to say that I am ashamed of myself for not reviewing it sooner. At any rate, I of course loved it, as is hopefully evident from my rating, though I must warn those of you looking to collect the entire Sarah Vaughan discography. I'm not entirely sure that this set includes all of her recordings of the period, though it does apparently include all of the studio recordings. That is to say, there are some live recordings that do not appear on this set, but which can easily be found elsewhere, I'm sure. Still, this includes some of Sassy's most glorious recordings ever. And though the sound quality doesn't compare with today's, her voice still sings out clearly.



2. This beautifully-prepared box set, a steal for the price, compiles chronologically with the detailed documentation all of Sassy's pre-Columbia work and then the beginning of her Columbia career. All the incredible recordings for Musicraft and the other small labels on which she began are here, including a very unusual unreleased song titled "Blue Grass," and it's all lovingly remastered. It's a joy to finally have all this music in one place and the great mystery of what was recorded when and appeared how finally solved. The Musicraft recordings are stunning in the choice of material and rich orchestrations. The Columbia recordings remind us yet again of what an empty period THAT was in her recording life before she went to Mercury and was reborn as an artist (actually, two artists--the pop Sarah on Mercury, the jazz Sarah on EmArcy). Sarah would have LOVED this collection!

3 comments about Young Miles.

1. If you like Miles Davis and want to know what he did before Birth of the Cool, then get this fabulous and inexpensive box set. From '45-50 we are treated to an incredible chronicling of his work with other jazz greats including Bird, Gil Evans, Sarah Vaughan and many others. I cannot overstate how much I learned about Miles development from this 4 c.d. set- both from the music as well as the excellent liner notes.
   You'd be crazy not to buy it.



2. This box set contains 82 tracks recorded by Miles Davis between 1945 and 1950. Miles' spark of genius was already apparent right from the start, and it's clear after listening to this set why Prestige gave him a lucrative recording contract which he would fulfill from 1951-1956 on his way to super-stardom. His distinctive sound on the trumpet is unmistakable here, even as a twenty year old...a sound that would delight the world for decades! This set is solid gold, filled with nuggets of beautiful jazz from start to finish. Many people may be content to limit their early Miles Davis collection to the Complete Birth Of The Cool CD, and that's fine, but you'll be missing out on hours of great music from one of the finest jazz artists of the 20th century!! The sound quality on this box set is great, save for a handful of recordings that are a little garbled but were included anyway because the playing is so beautiful. I like this set as much as the Complete Prestige Recordings box set, and this 4 disc set sells for about $75 less. I highly recommend this set-no Miles Davis collection is complete without these brilliant recordings! Happy listening!!



3. I bought this yesterday from a local record store and wow. Man is it good. It isn't hs greatest stuff because he was younger and less experienced but it is still absolutely great.

2 comments about The Count Basie Story.

1. This economical box set of the great Count Basie is a real treasure.
   Basie led one of the best swing bands of the era, right up there with Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.
   The songs included in this set cover a wide range of Basie's body of work.
   The sound quality is mostly excellent, although 1 or 2 of the very early tunes have a bit of light scratchiness to them.
   Also included is an informative liner notes booklet.
   As with every Proper box set I've bought, this set offers excellent music and a great value.



2. This is the most economical and best multi-disc set there is on Basie. It's an awesome collection of the preeminent Basie band of the 30's, extending to later work from the 60's, enhanced by kickin' arrangements by Neal Hefti. Hefti is better known for working with Sinatra in the 50's, but I feel his work with Basie is more innovative and vibrant than his collaboration with Frank.

   Another plus is the sound quality on these discs, which greatly surpases anything Basie recorded in the Depression. You can really hear the brass section, especially when you pump up the volume, and how can you not do that considering this is the inimitable Basie? The trumpet solos really soar and Basie's distinctive one-fingered approach to the piano is highlighted by the mixing here.

   My two favorite tracks have got to be the fantastic Swinging the Blues, closely followed by Jumpin' at the Woodside, in a kickin' arrangement. Again, the arrangements on these tracks is first rate and the sound quality is awesome.

   I prefer the Basie band in a live setting, when they would always pull out the stops and just swing it to the ceiling. Check out Basie at the Sands for an example of his band in a live forum. Otherwise, this collection is stellar all the way, especially in the price department!