neveronfriday Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 A search on this board turns up quite a few favourable reviews (to say the least) and I'd like to dedicate a thread to these live recordings (I hope my search hasn't missed any thread already started). I have thousands of CDs, but these five have become desert island material and have held up over the years. I went through my collection for three days this weekend, reorganizing stuff, and when pulling these 5 CDs out, once again they became the soundtrack for all the work I put into my collection, sorting out, rearranging, etc. To be quite honest, the work was actually interrupted when I started listening to this music once again, because I tried to listen out for things that make me like this set - above all else, really. First of all, the 5 CDs I have are quite old already, but the sound quality is already superb. Secondly, the musical quality across all 5 CDs is astonishingly consistent. One could argue that one or another CD is a bit weaker, but I won't even get into that. The set captures the live atmosphere brilliantly, the programme has me riveted every time, and the playing is just top-notch. Last, but not least, I always feel elated when I listen to this stuff. It's just like medicine on a bad day and a superbly mixed cocktail on a good day. You can play this music at any time, again and again, and just enjoy it. Although I have many recordings/sessions I enjoy equally much or maybe even more, I do NOT have any live material that is as good as the recordings on these 5 CDs. Just brilliant. One could spend hours analyzing this stuff, but I won't. It moves me and makes me feel good, and that's as much analysis as I need. Call me lazy, if you like. Chime in, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 I agree......and can honestly say that, were I commanded to trash all but 20 cds, these five would remain. I'm actually amazed that the Japanese have yet to spin out a nice looking re-mastered box set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AfricaBrass Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 I too, LOVE these recordings and would HIGHLY RECOMMEND them to anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 The sound quality on these early-generation CDs is phenomenal. Incredibly consistent music right through all of these CDs and Manne is just amazing. I also recommend the two Contemporary 'Manne Hole' CDs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave James Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 I can, as I have before, ramble on endlessly about these discs. Most definitely desert island material. I'm a huge fan of Victor Feldman the pianist, and this is the best overall representation of his work on that instrument that I'm aware of. The interesting thing, and you'll see this if you read the liner notes, is that Manne, in the absence of Russ Freeman, did not have his regular working band with him when they went into the Blackhawk. But, he recognized that something special was going chemistry-wise with this group and asked the Fantasy people to bring in their mobile recording equipment to capture the moment. I think we can all say thanks for his foresight in this respect. One other thing about Shelly Manne. I think he is the most tasteful drummer in the history of jazz. He can kick a band along like no one else, but he's never overbearing and he's smart enough to recognize the inherent musical limitations of the drum solo. You rarely hear him take a break any longer than a moment. Just great stuff. Up over and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesForBartok Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 Cabu! God I love that tune. And does Kamuca play harder on these records than on a lot of other records he's on from this period? His tone is a little tougher than say his work on the Cy Touff Record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medjuck Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 I only have one of them-- I think Vol2,-- but I've alwasy loved it. I guess I better complete the set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Kat Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 Only got the last one. Just wanted him to solo more. I like the trio version of Wonder Why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron S Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 (edited) I almost started this same thread a few months ago (about the time my avatar was the cover of Volume 1 of this set). The recording quality on these is astounding, and I've yet to encounter another live recording from any era that beats it (in fact, from that era none even approaches it). And the original CD transfer/mastering from the early '90's is just superb--I think the Japanese, or anyone, would be hard-pressed to improve upon these CD's, even with the latest and greatest technology. Also, the lack of Shelly solos nothwithstanding (sorry Jazz Kat), the level of ensemble playing on these CD's is marvelous. The subtle interplay and support among the musicians is at a level rarely attained (just listen to the way Manne, Budwig, and Feldman interact with each other, and with Gordon and Kamuca when they're soloing). Manne has to have been one of the most musical--and musically sensitive--drummers ever. These 5 discs are amazing, and it's surprising that with all the rave reviews they get (the Penguin Guide gives them it's highest accolade), they aren't more popular. I guess Manne just doesn't have the star power of a Miles or a Coltrane. Edited April 8, 2005 by Ron S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stereojack Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 I share everybody's enthusiasm about this set. It doesn't get any better. These have been admired as audiophile quality recordings since the LP era, when there were only four volumes. The albums were originally released on Contemporary, a label renowned for great sound quality. It is to Fantasy's credit (and to remastering engineer Phil DeLancie) that the CD's came out so good. I do have a few quibbles with the programming choices for the CD bonus tracks. Each of the four original volumes contains an alternate version of a tune on the set. It seems to me that they could have put these tracks on different volumes just for the sake of variety. Volume 5 was created for CD, and includes a tune "How Deep Are the Roots", creited to Horace Silver. I've been a Horace fan for forty years and have never heard of this tune. Does anybody know its origin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlhoots Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 I have Vol. 1,2 &3. I'll eventually get the other 2 volumes. Excellent music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesForBartok Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 I'm dumping all five volumes on my iPod tonight to get familiar with these again. It's been far too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost of miles Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Got all of these initially for Joe Gordon and have come to appreciate them for far more than just his stellar presence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 This is a very fine recording of a very fine band. Let us not get carried away. I do understand there are not a bunch of documents like this but it/they are not the holy grail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 This is a very fine recording of a very fine band. Let us not get carried away. I do understand there are not a bunch of documents like this but it/they are not the holy grail. Why can't/shouldn't people get "carried away" if that's the way they feel about these recordings? Are you the jazz police, ready to tell people what they should value and how much they can value it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron S Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 This is a very fine recording of a very fine band. Let us not get carried away. I do understand there are not a bunch of documents like this but it/they are not the holy grail. Party Pooper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Dan - read again and stick it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Kat Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 This is a very fine recording of a very fine band. Let us not get carried away. I do understand there are not a bunch of documents like this but it/they are not the holy grail. Why can't/shouldn't people get "carried away" if that's the way they feel about these recordings? Are you the jazz police, ready to tell people what they should value and how much they can value it? He would be the jazz cop. (one person...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WD45 Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Dan - read again and stick it. That's the spirit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Kat Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Seems compulsive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Dan - read again and stick it. Thanks, but I've read it several times. Each time it says that you are telling people what they should value and how much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Kat Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 He's the boss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron S Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Dan - read again and stick it. That's the spirit! But I'd definitely recommend that you read it again BEFORE you stick it--doing it the other way around gets quite messy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Kat Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Isn't that the name of Max Roach's latest album? Stick It! In Stores this May! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 (edited) Another Dan/Chuck love fest Maybe not the holy grail but fine stuff nonetheless. What would you consider the holy grail? True Blue! Edited April 8, 2005 by Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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