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Swing into SPRING 2001
Swing into SPRING 2001
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JAZZ VOCAL CORNERSTONES
Ella Fitzgerald
In the late 1930s, buoyant vocalist Ella Fitzgerald finally brought to
Chick Webb the widespread success that the drummer and bandleader craved.
"Swingsation Series" delivers a nice overview of their partnership,
including their biggest hit, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket."
...buy 'em here.
More Ella Fitzgerald
...buy 'em here.
Billie Holiday
Blending the improvisational sophistication of Louis Armstrong and the
gritty blues inflections of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday emerged as
one of jazz's most beloved vocalists. "The Quintessential Billie
Holiday, Vol.2: 1936" features a 20-year-old Holiday supported by the
likes of pianist Teddy Wilson and Ellington altoist Johnny Hodges and
interpreting standards like "A Fine Romance."
...buy 'em here.
More Billie Holiday
...buy 'em here.
Bessie's Bed, Bessie's Blues
Just as Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings were
pivotal in shaping the recorded jazz of the 1920s, so too was
Bessie Smith.
...buy 'em here.
"The Collection" is a great one-CD overview of Smith's work,
including "Downhearted Blues" and such classics as "Taint Nobody's
Bizness If I Do" and the bawdy "Empty Bed Blues."
...buy 'em here.
More Bessie Smith
...buy 'em here.
SWINGING HALLMARKS
Benny Goodman
In the eyes of many, the Benny Goodman Orchestra--and the Swing Era in
general--reached its popular apex in January of 1938 with its
triumphant appearance at Carnegie Hall. "Live at Carnegie Hall"
includes both small-group and full-orchestra numbers, as well as guest
shots from Count Basie and friends.
...buy 'em here.
More Benny Goodman
...buy 'em here.
Basie's Dawn
Among other nuggets of pure gold, "The Best of Early Basie" presents
the Count kicking open the session with Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle
Rose," ending his own rolling solo only when Lester Young steps
up. Then there's Jimmy Rushing belting out "Sent for Yesterday," a
classic in the big swinging intersection of jazz and blues. Taken from
the three-CD "Complete Decca Recordings," this set is tops in every
way.
...buy 'em here.
More editor's picks on Verve
...buy 'em here.
Duke Ellington
As the 1920s became the 1930s, Duke Ellington's compositions became
more ambitious and his arrangements became more sophisticated,
swinging all the while. "Early Ellington: Complete Brunswick
Recordings" offers hits like "Mood Indigo" and "Rockin' in Rhythm,"
along with the extended piece "Creole Rhapsody."
...buy 'em here.
More Duke Ellington
...buy 'em here.
BOPPIN' ALONG
Ken Burns's Jazz: Charlie Parker
Alto saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker was one of bebop's prime movers, a
musician who thrived at recasting jazz standards in fast, complex, searing
new ways. His tragically short life only fueled the mystique around Bird,
creating not only generations of influence, but also a sizable body of
important material. Here are some great ways to get to know Charlie
Parker.
...buy 'em here.
More Charlie Parker selections
...buy 'em here.
Dizzy Gillespie
The combination of Charlie Parker's fast, tart alto sax and Dizzy
Gillespie's equally fast, fatter trumpet was a one-two punch to
contend with. Gillespie's career, caught panoramically on the
single-CD Ken Burns collection, has all the bluster, quickness, and
cheer that marked so many Dizzy sessions--and drew so many boppers to
his side.
...buy 'em here.
More Dizzy Gillespie selections
...buy 'em here.
Thelonious Monk
Pianist Thelonious Monk helped shape bebop by anchoring the Minton's
Playhouse band. But as 1952's "Genius of Modern Music" makes crystal
clear, Monk had a unique approach that also set him far apart from
bop. Monk's music swings with a tinkered gait, a slight but persistent
wobble that entrances.
...buy 'em here.
More Thelonious Monk selections
...buy 'em here.
ESSENTIALS BY STYLE
Swing Jazz Essentials
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing! From Kansas City to
New York to Hollywood, our Swing Jazz Essentials have blaring big
bands, swing measured by the pound, and a mix of recognized classics
and underheralded gems.
...buy 'em here.
Bebop Essentials
To be is to bop: bebop, hard bop, and more from the 1940s forward. Dig
the solid moves from cats like Monk, 'Trane, and Bird in our Bebop
Essentials.
...buy 'em here.
Ella Fitzgerald
In the late 1930s, buoyant vocalist Ella Fitzgerald finally brought to
Chick Webb the widespread success that the drummer and bandleader craved.
"Swingsation Series" delivers a nice overview of their partnership,
including their biggest hit, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket."
...buy 'em here.
More Ella Fitzgerald
...buy 'em here.
Billie Holiday
Blending the improvisational sophistication of Louis Armstrong and the
gritty blues inflections of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday emerged as
one of jazz's most beloved vocalists. "The Quintessential Billie
Holiday, Vol.2: 1936" features a 20-year-old Holiday supported by the
likes of pianist Teddy Wilson and Ellington altoist Johnny Hodges and
interpreting standards like "A Fine Romance."
...buy 'em here.
More Billie Holiday
...buy 'em here.
Bessie's Bed, Bessie's Blues
Just as Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings were
pivotal in shaping the recorded jazz of the 1920s, so too was
Bessie Smith.
...buy 'em here.
"The Collection" is a great one-CD overview of Smith's work,
including "Downhearted Blues" and such classics as "Taint Nobody's
Bizness If I Do" and the bawdy "Empty Bed Blues."
...buy 'em here.
More Bessie Smith
...buy 'em here.
SWINGING HALLMARKS
Benny Goodman
In the eyes of many, the Benny Goodman Orchestra--and the Swing Era in
general--reached its popular apex in January of 1938 with its
triumphant appearance at Carnegie Hall. "Live at Carnegie Hall"
includes both small-group and full-orchestra numbers, as well as guest
shots from Count Basie and friends.
...buy 'em here.
More Benny Goodman
...buy 'em here.
Basie's Dawn
Among other nuggets of pure gold, "The Best of Early Basie" presents
the Count kicking open the session with Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle
Rose," ending his own rolling solo only when Lester Young steps
up. Then there's Jimmy Rushing belting out "Sent for Yesterday," a
classic in the big swinging intersection of jazz and blues. Taken from
the three-CD "Complete Decca Recordings," this set is tops in every
way.
...buy 'em here.
More editor's picks on Verve
...buy 'em here.
Duke Ellington
As the 1920s became the 1930s, Duke Ellington's compositions became
more ambitious and his arrangements became more sophisticated,
swinging all the while. "Early Ellington: Complete Brunswick
Recordings" offers hits like "Mood Indigo" and "Rockin' in Rhythm,"
along with the extended piece "Creole Rhapsody."
...buy 'em here.
More Duke Ellington
...buy 'em here.
BOPPIN' ALONG
Ken Burns's Jazz: Charlie Parker
Alto saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker was one of bebop's prime movers, a
musician who thrived at recasting jazz standards in fast, complex, searing
new ways. His tragically short life only fueled the mystique around Bird,
creating not only generations of influence, but also a sizable body of
important material. Here are some great ways to get to know Charlie
Parker.
...buy 'em here.
More Charlie Parker selections
...buy 'em here.
Dizzy Gillespie
The combination of Charlie Parker's fast, tart alto sax and Dizzy
Gillespie's equally fast, fatter trumpet was a one-two punch to
contend with. Gillespie's career, caught panoramically on the
single-CD Ken Burns collection, has all the bluster, quickness, and
cheer that marked so many Dizzy sessions--and drew so many boppers to
his side.
...buy 'em here.
More Dizzy Gillespie selections
...buy 'em here.
Thelonious Monk
Pianist Thelonious Monk helped shape bebop by anchoring the Minton's
Playhouse band. But as 1952's "Genius of Modern Music" makes crystal
clear, Monk had a unique approach that also set him far apart from
bop. Monk's music swings with a tinkered gait, a slight but persistent
wobble that entrances.
...buy 'em here.
More Thelonious Monk selections
...buy 'em here.
ESSENTIALS BY STYLE
Swing Jazz Essentials
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing! From Kansas City to
New York to Hollywood, our Swing Jazz Essentials have blaring big
bands, swing measured by the pound, and a mix of recognized classics
and underheralded gems.
...buy 'em here.
Bebop Essentials
To be is to bop: bebop, hard bop, and more from the 1940s forward. Dig
the solid moves from cats like Monk, 'Trane, and Bird in our Bebop
Essentials.
...buy 'em here.
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© 2001 amazon.com, Editor, Andrew Bartlett and ncdn associate.
Previous Jazz Peviews
reviews excerpted are copyright © 2001 amazon.com & associate ncdn and CDnow, TowerRecords, Barnes & Nobel associates