CD-Charts Position 11
Average Rating:

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With Kidshots

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: George Lewis

Release Date December 23, 1999
Ten of these fifteen tracks feature the legendary trumpet player Louis 'Shots' Madison. Madison (1899-1948) was placed in the same New Orleans Waif's Home as Louis Armstrong, around 1911 where he also learned to play in the Home's band. He made his first recordings with Oscar 'Papa' Celestin's New Orleans Jazz Orchestra in 1925. During the Depression years of the 1930's Madison worked mainly in brass bands for parades, funerals and other occasions. This was certainly where he developed his powerful, rich, brassy tone. Less inventive or dynamic than Armstrong, he was a strong middle range player. From the mid 1930's to early 1940's he was one of the three trumpeters in the Eureka Brass Band. Percy Humphrey, later leader of the band, said that ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 12
Average Rating:

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In Japan, Vol. 2

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: George Lewis

Release Date December 02, 1995
Ten of these fifteen tracks feature the legendary trumpet player Louis 'Shots' Madison. Madison (1899-1948) was placed in the same New Orleans Waif's Home as Louis Armstrong, around 1911 where he also learned to play in the Home's band. He made his first recordings with Oscar 'Papa' Celestin's New Orleans Jazz Orchestra in 1925. During the Depression years of the 1930's Madison worked mainly in brass bands for parades, funerals and other occasions. This was certainly where he developed his powerful, rich, brassy tone. Less inventive or dynamic than Armstrong, he was a strong middle range player. From the mid 1930's to early 1940's he was one of the three trumpeters in the Eureka Brass Band. Percy Humphrey, later leader of the band, said that ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 13
Average Rating:

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In Japan, Vol. 1

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: George Lewis

Release Date December 02, 1995
Ten of these fifteen tracks feature the legendary trumpet player Louis 'Shots' Madison. Madison (1899-1948) was placed in the same New Orleans Waif's Home as Louis Armstrong, around 1911 where he also learned to play in the Home's band. He made his first recordings with Oscar 'Papa' Celestin's New Orleans Jazz Orchestra in 1925. During the Depression years of the 1930's Madison worked mainly in brass bands for parades, funerals and other occasions. This was certainly where he developed his powerful, rich, brassy tone. Less inventive or dynamic than Armstrong, he was a strong middle range player. From the mid 1930's to early 1940's he was one of the three trumpeters in the Eureka Brass Band. Percy Humphrey, later leader of the band, said that ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 14
Average Rating:

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Live in Germany 1959

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: George Lewis

Release Date October 01, 1999
Listening for the first time to these tracks, cut thirty years ago, I felt a few powerful old reflexes stirring, Ken's music has always had that effect on people. They either love it or hate it. For his musicians, or at least for those of us who understand what he was at , the relationship with the man and his music was ambivalent frustration and euphoria went side by side. You loved it when things were going well, and hated it when things went wrong, for the same reason as before. Repeated defects could be eliminated in rehearsal. This was all part of the turbulence that was the essential Colyer make up . The only possible comparison in the jazz canon that one can think of is Charles Mingus, with his determination to make it happen " On ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 15
Average Rating:

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Yulestride

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: Butch Thompson

Release Date October 01, 1999
Listening for the first time to these tracks, cut thirty years ago, I felt a few powerful old reflexes stirring, Ken's music has always had that effect on people. They either love it or hate it. For his musicians, or at least for those of us who understand what he was at , the relationship with the man and his music was ambivalent frustration and euphoria went side by side. You loved it when things were going well, and hated it when things went wrong, for the same reason as before. Repeated defects could be eliminated in rehearsal. This was all part of the turbulence that was the essential Colyer make up . The only possible comparison in the jazz canon that one can think of is Charles Mingus, with his determination to make it happen " On ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 16
Average Rating:

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Jazz in the Classic New Orleans Tradition

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: George Lewis

Release Date June 05, 1995
The ideal George Lewis album probably doesn't exist. This one is as good as you could get in terms of performance and sound quality. These recordings are ex-Circle label: 6 by George Lewis Quartet of 1953, and 6 by his New Orleans Jazz Band 1951 featuring drummer Paul Barbarin. The banjoist Lawrence Marrero is well in evidence throughout. There are only two vocal tracks; 'Salty Dog' sung lustfully by Dr Edmund Souchon is worth the price alone.

CD-Charts Position 17
Average Rating:

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George Lewis and His New Orleans Stompers

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: George Lewis

Release Date October 12, 1998
In an era when music is often reduced to the lowest common denominator, it's great to listen to musicians who seem to enjoy playing and consequently put their heart and soul into it.
Whatever your taste, there is something here for you: there's the foot-stomping "Gettysburg March" (three different versions!) and the more reflective "Lord, Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good To Me". One is soon caught up in the mood created by fine musicians whose range covers spiritual hymns such as "Walking With The King" to the secular "Savoy Blues". I love every one of the sixteen tracks. Sit back, enjoy and marvel!

CD-Charts Position 18
Average Rating:

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In Concert 1959: Manchester Free Trade Hall Second House

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: George Lewis

Release Date April 19, 1999
In an era when music is often reduced to the lowest common denominator, it's great to listen to musicians who seem to enjoy playing and consequently put their heart and soul into it.
Whatever your taste, there is something here for you: there's the foot-stomping "Gettysburg March" (three different versions!) and the more reflective "Lord, Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good To Me". One is soon caught up in the mood created by fine musicians whose range covers spiritual hymns such as "Walking With The King" to the secular "Savoy Blues". I love every one of the sixteen tracks. Sit back, enjoy and marvel!

CD-Charts Position 19
Average Rating:

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Jazz at Preservation Hall/Pure Blues

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: George Lewis

Release Date December 23, 1999
In an era when music is often reduced to the lowest common denominator, it's great to listen to musicians who seem to enjoy playing and consequently put their heart and soul into it.
Whatever your taste, there is something here for you: there's the foot-stomping "Gettysburg March" (three different versions!) and the more reflective "Lord, Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good To Me". One is soon caught up in the mood created by fine musicians whose range covers spiritual hymns such as "Walking With The King" to the secular "Savoy Blues". I love every one of the sixteen tracks. Sit back, enjoy and marvel!

CD-Charts Position 20
Average Rating:

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Beverly Caverns Sessions

CD-Charts > Music > Clarinet
by: George Lewis

Release Date December 08, 1995
Here the George Lewis Ragtime Band comprises Lewis (clarinet), Kid Howard (trumpet, vocals), Jim Robinson (trombone), Alton Purnell (piano), Lawrence Marrero (banjo), Slow Drag Pavageau (double bass) and Joe Watkins (drums, vocals). The recordings were made live at a Hollywood club in 1953.
The veteran New Orleans players seem clumsy and shaky at times but honest as the day is long and, on this occasion, they were in very good spirits.
The CD has booklet notes by Scott Yanow, and it plays for nearly an hour. The sound is clear, although on many tracks the brass is too sharp for my ears. For this I dock the record one point. Call me sensitive.