CD-Charts Position 61
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Charlie Parker With Strings

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: Charlie Parker

Release Date March 19, 2007
These recordings often were and are looked down upon by jazz 'purists'.

These recordings are the ones that Charlie Parker was most proud of.

When he was dying, he played his doctor his recording of 'Just Friends'. The version is absolutely beautiful. His alto rises over the strings like a bloom from a flowerbed.

'Everthing Happens To Me', 'Laura', and 'Out Of Nowhere' are similarly overlooked gems in his body of work.

The recently included live recordings are a joy to the ears.

Recommended unreservedly.

CD-Charts Position 62
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The Best Of The Song Books

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: Ella Fitzgerald

Release Date November 09, 1993
I bought this CD for my wife who is already a huge Ella fan. If you can not afford to go 'the whole hog' and buy all of the Songbooks, then this is the perfect buy for you. It is all of the best!

CD-Charts Position 63
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Live at Carnegie Hall: the Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: Benny Goodman

Release Date November 08, 1999
Like most other reviewers I was dissapointed with the failure to clean up the scratches and whistles from the original discs, however I still have a tone control though only used it one time round. Now I have got totally used to the variable background noises, and the music does shine wondefully from within and without. And what a show it was, no wonder its a legend! Its complete too, no cuts, all there!

I suspect you could try and clean up these tracks yourself but I got to thinking it not worth the effort - Goodman never sounded so good and its clear that Krupa is a very good reason for the swing and lift of these tracks but as the notes point out he toned himself down for the history of jazz and track with Basie and his boys. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 64
Average Rating:

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A Studio Chronicle 1940-1948

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: Charlie Parker

Release Date August 11, 2003
Like most other reviewers I was dissapointed with the failure to clean up the scratches and whistles from the original discs, however I still have a tone control though only used it one time round. Now I have got totally used to the variable background noises, and the music does shine wondefully from within and without. And what a show it was, no wonder its a legend! Its complete too, no cuts, all there!

I suspect you could try and clean up these tracks yourself but I got to thinking it not worth the effort - Goodman never sounded so good and its clear that Krupa is a very good reason for the swing and lift of these tracks but as the notes point out he toned himself down for the history of jazz and track with Basie and his boys. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 65
Average Rating:

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The Rose Of Tralee

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: James Last And His Orchestra

Release Date July 29, 1985
I was at the concert in Dublin when James Last made this album back in the 80's. I thought at that time that is was amazing that a German composer could compose and arange Irish music as good as or if not better than the Irish artists themselves. Even if he was just covering original songs from Irish musians. I have been looking for this album since I have come to the USA and now I finally found it strangly enough at Amazon.CO.UK. I have been telling my wife about it for 14 years and now she can hear it at last. Thank you Amazon.

CD-Charts Position 66
Average Rating:

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Ella And Basie

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: Ella Fitzgerald Count Basie

Release Date May 25, 1999
"Ella and Basie!" is a triumph in most respects. A monumental meeting of three giants of swing music.
First of all, not much needs to be said at all of the personnel involved, other than it meets the high standards already set by all involved. The band are on no less than top form, and absolutely breeze through the material, tighter than ever.
This represents possibly the best ever, in my opinion, of the New Testament Basie band: The rhythm section by now, have established a close rapport and support the band superbly, the understated/underrated chunking of Freddie Green's guitar, the exuberant rock solid thumping of Sonny Payne's drums, and the charismatic touches of Basie's piano, it's all here. As explained in the new liner notes, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 67
Average Rating:

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At Newport

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: Count Basie

Release Date September 17, 2007
This is one of the best swing albums in my (quite extensive) collection...
The reunion of Basie band with Lester Young, Jimmy Rushing and Jo Jones is beyond words and the final jam (with Roy Eldridge and Illinois Jacquet as adittional attraction...) is... wow!

CD-Charts Position 68
Average Rating:

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The Essential Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: Spike Jones

Release Date September 18, 2006
I agree with Matthew. I have had a Dave Brubeck CD from this company (Avid) and it seems that they need to ruin every product they sell. The word "bargepole" comes to mind. Do not touch with a bargepole. Pay the extra and get an original recording

CD-Charts Position 69
Average Rating:

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The Girl From Ipanema: The Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: Various Artists

Release Date July 11, 1995
This album is the quintessential dinner jazz album. Forget all those lame Best of Jazz compilations. Jobim's original Bossa Nova tracks are the only option for the smoothest, most elegant and sensual songs that everyone in the room can kick back to.

CD-Charts Position 70
Average Rating:

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Stan Kenton Today - Recorded Live in London

CD-Charts > Music > Big Band
by: Stan Kenton

Release Date November 01, 2004
6 out of 5 Stars

The only thing I will regret in my life is not being able to see and hear this band live in person in London back in February 1972. I had the Decca Phase Four stereo 2 LP set and when I visited Brittan in 2005 I played them again but found the poor balance detracted from the thought of bringing them back with me to Australia and buying a turntable to play them again.
Now this is no longer necessary and it seems with no to do Michael Dutton has cleaned up the often very poor balance Decca went to press with. So much so those of you who have never heard the LP's will just think it's a bit closely miked but it seemed to me it was well over the top of the tape's dynamic range especially the very fiery numbers such as ... Read More: