scoos_those_ blues

Ok I concede that my observation was subjective. Excellent recommendations so far - just what I am after. Will check these out, and certainly pick some up. The Giuffre/Bley/Swallow trio sounds great.

What a great recording. Dark and haunting but deeply swinging, McGee's tone cuts through to the heart. The rhythm section is less vulgar than is the case on a lot of mambo recordings. A new discovery to me, I am loving it.

It strikes me that a lot of the most famous free jazz is rather frenetic, discordant and jarring to listen to. This is not a comment on the artistic merit of those recordings. Just an objective observation. Can anyone recommend some free jazz that is serene or peaceful? Examples might include the Jimmy Giuffre 3 recordings which are obviously not "free jazz," or jazz of the sixties, but which are a step in the direction I am thinking of. All suggestions are very welcome!

This excellent thread has been quiet lately, which is a shame. I have bought four items through browsing through it.

I have this 10CD box set and recommend it - it arrived in the mail 4 days ago. I have only listened to the second half of disc two thus far (He Ain't Got Rhythm, This Year's Kisses, Why Was I Born?, I Must Have That Man) - early recordings with Lester Young - excellent small group classic jazz - Prez at the top of his game - highly recommended. The sound is excellent to my ears too. It is available at very reasonable prices if you shop around. The booklet is well written too, with full discography. Track listing here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Day:_The_Complete_Billie_Holiday_on_Columbia_1933%E2%80%931944

I have heard good things about the Hawk JSP: http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Sides-1929-1939-Coleman-Hawkins/dp/B000IAZ3SG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347230509&sr=8-1&keywords=hawkins+jsp

The 2012 box is a reissue of the box that came out in 2002, which was remastered and sounded a lot better than the bad-sounding earlier disc. Having said that, I don't like the sound on the 2002 box either, to my ears it is harsh/shrill. I have the long OOP French Masters of Jazz CDs, which I think have the best sound of all. I might well pick the reissue box up when it's released. I love the Benny Goodman sides with Christian. And only have ancient remasters. It seems that the reissue may have corrected the earlier physical box, which upset a few people.

Is this the reissue you got?: http://www.amazon.com/The-Genius-Of-Electric-Guitar/dp/B008S80S1C/ref=sr_1_sc_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1347224998&sr=1-3-spell&keywords=geniue+of+electric+guitar Nothing on Amazon that I could see about this being a remaster. I am interested to know what the sound's like. Wondering if it is a step up from this old 1989 CD: http://www.amazon.com/Goodman-Sextet-Featuring-Charlie-Christian/dp/B0000026TA . I assume the material is duplicated.

How about a compilation box set? I recommend the "Goodbye Babylon" box on Dust to Digital. Alternatively, I have the first two four-disc sets in this excellent "History of Rhythm and Blues" series (spanning 1925 to 1952, they are highly enjoyable: http://www.rhythmandbluesrecords.co.uk/history.htm. They span quite a wide range of styles including country blues, gospel and jazz. They are well sequenced for an enjoyable listen all the way through.

I dug James Clay's contribution. Body and Soul was full of heart and deference to the past.

Hello to all. I am a new member - a big fan of straight ahead and modern jazz, bebop and hard bop from the 40's to the 60's, as well as blues of many kinds. I have been dipping in and out of this board for a while, and made a few purchases based on recommendations from these pages. Now is as good a time as any to leap in. I thought I would recommend a great album as my first post. I listened to Don Cherry's 1989 record Art Deco last night - loudly - with a few glasses of wine - and feel the need to tell the world what a fine piece of work it is. It is essentially a straight ahead, boppish album, soulfully played inside by players who have been way out there in the past, often together: Don Cherry, Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins having played together in an early Ornette Coleman lineup. There are free touches - but for the most part feet are firmly planted in the blues. Tunes are a mix of great standards (including Body and Soul and Bemsha Swing)and originals. The recording (by RVG) was made on early digital reel to reel and is a little brittle at times, but clear as glass and very listenable. Great blowing, great interplay, overflowing with heart. Any love for this album?