Guest Bixieland Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Thanks for the update! This set does sound essential. I like not having the vocal tracks, myself. Also, alt-takes usually don't grate as much without vocals. Leaning towards the Chu, only because he's been bumped a few times already. If I can't decide, I may punt and just pick up the Sonny Stitt! Now...the Stitt's on back-order! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnivore Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 If you don't have the bulk of the Chu stuff on other sources I'd definitely get the Mosaic - all of his playing is 'must have' The guy was one of the really Great tenor players and it's intriguing to imagine where he might have gone musically if he hadn't got into Andrew Brown's car that night.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bixieland Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 If you don't have the bulk of the Chu stuff on other sources I'd definitely get the Mosaic - all of his playing is 'must have' The guy was one of the really Great tenor players and it's intriguing to imagine where he might have gone musically if he hadn't got into Andrew Brown's car that night.... I think you're right. I have the Hampton Mosaic--and of all those great musicians on that set, for some reason it's Chu who gets burned in my brain!! His sound and bee-buzzing lines are so distinct! Did he ever breathe? I also previewed some of the Cab stuff that appears on this box over at AMG, and I feel totally fine with it--I was a little worried about that, but it's a nice helping of some Hep stuff, that was once pretty popular and thus a big part of American musical history. Can't complain about that. So, I just pulled the trigger on the Chu! Of course, I am now regretting not getting the Benny.... but, you know... Maybe I'll get some gift-certs this spring for my birthday! ...but, by this spring, the Armstrong Mosaic will be arriving. Damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnivore Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 'Shufflin' at the Hollywood' in particular....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmonahan Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 I'm ordering the Goodman and Peterson sets today. What else is money for, anyway?! greg mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranemonk Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 (edited) An older VERRRYYY enthusiastic review of this set.... over at AAJ.... I'll post the link and a segment below... http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=26483 "......For me, this box is a blessing in so many ways. If you love swing, the set is like owning a Rolex or a fine piece of furniture. The craftsmanship is subtle and unmistakable, and you instantly know you're in the presence of unparalleled greatness. In addition, this box is one of those rare instances where I actually welcomed hearing alternate takes. Even during the 1950s recordings, my foot was snapping unconsciously against the base of my swivel chair. You can't help it. Unless something else comes along in the next four weeks, this is the box set of the year, hands down...." :excited: Sorry guys... but this review is pushing me over the edge toward the Goodman ... I'm still not budging on the Armstrong.... :beee: Edited March 14, 2009 by tranemonk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 You've got lots of time to get the Armstrong, it's going to be around for years. Armstrong is essential to my world. It has nothing to do with the fact that we share a birthdate, a last name, the same father's name. He's the source of so much music that I love. The more you listen to him the more you realize that fact. He was a man who rose from nothing to domination in the field of popular music. He was a complete artist, not just a musician. One of the most astonishing individuals in the last century. I hope in time you'll get around to approaching Armstrong's work with an open mind. He was so much more important than Benny Goodman. (Oh I am definitely a Goodman fan. And I like that Goodman set a lot. But it's not even the best Goodman. . . not something I'd grab if the house was coming down around my ears.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranemonk Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Now that's a helpful post... I'm glad you're enjoying the Goodman... I see that Sony Legacy is releasing a "100th Anniversary boxed set" for Goodman next month... Once I see what's in that one... I might have to do that one too..... I just really have VERY little Goodman and feel a need to get to know him better.... I hope in time you'll get around to approaching Armstrong's work with an open mind. He was so much more important than Benny Goodman. (Oh I am definitely a Goodman fan. And I like that Goodman set a lot. But it's not even the best Goodman. . . not something I'd grab if the house was coming down around my ears.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 As the complete set is out of print, I'd suggest this disc as a start for Goodman, some of his finest work: And if you want to try some excellent Armstrong, serious as your life working band music, available cheaply: If you're just investigating musicians, single discs are good vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.W. Posted March 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 I'd suggest the excellent Goodman CDs on the great Scottish Hep Jazz label, which cover the years 1935-1946. They were mastered by the late John R.T. Davies and the sound is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Those certainly are great, I have those (and the Mosaic, what's wrong with me?) I just think those small group RCA sides are the Goodman cat's meow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.W. Posted March 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 (edited) For the 1935-1939 small-band recordings I have the two French RCA Jazz Tribune 2CD-sets, The Complete Small Combinations. They're good enough for me. Edited March 14, 2009 by J.A.W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Jazz Tribune, such a great series! (Though sometimes some of the reverb on some of these gets to me.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fasstrack Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 don't want to annoy anybody, but I wish someone would do an early Benny comp - like pre-1934. Personally, I find his early playing full of life and depth, the post-1935 stuff slick and pat - though I have tried to like it - Funny, I was just listening to the Sextet stuff a few minutes ago----Charlie Christian, Hamp, Buck C., etc. Benny and the rest sound pretty damn great to me there. I grew up on that stuff-----under the LP name 'Solo Flight'. Some of my all-time favorite music and an early and seminal influence on my own phoney-baloney work. Consider me annoyed----but I think I know what you mean. He ws really into Jimmy Noone early on, wasn't he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Allen, look on the Timeless label. . . Goodman compiled just as you would like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) Edited March 15, 2009 by jazzbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranemonk Posted March 21, 2009 Report Share Posted March 21, 2009 My set arrived last week... It's numbered # 1070! Clearly this one is selling well... :excited: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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