Reviews (6)

Billie was a real musician.
Laura Nyro wrote a wonderful song called Louise�s Church, about underappreciated women artists, in which she proclaims, "Billie was a real musician." I love both Laura Nyro and Billie Holiday, but that always seemed to me a really odd line. Of course Holiday was one of the greatest singers who ever lived, if not THE greatest, but a musician? Lady Day & the Pres!
This CD, as some of the others have said, showcases a happy, vibrant, swinging Billie Holiday.The interplay between her and the musicians, particularly the legendary saxophonist Lester Young, is nothing short of extraordinary.Not all of the songs are good, though.You've still got some Tin Pan Alley pap, such as "Now They Call It Swing."The majority of the material is excellent, however, with knockout versions of "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and "Trav'lin' All Alone" (my personal favorite).I'd highly recommend this one.It's a side of Lady Day you don't often get to hear.

Possibly the BEST Quintessential Set
This Quintessential #5 may well be the BEST one compiled during her Vocalion-Brunswick (Columbia) years, and that's saying alot considering all nine Quintessential volumes are considered classics in the jazz canon.What distinguishes this particular set is the well-chosen songs and unforgettable performances by Billie and her elite sidemen.I would be hard pressed to find a more joyful Billie than the one captured here.Maybe it's not a coincidence this set came right in the middle of her recording years at Columbia, for she had found that right balance between swing and poignancy in her performances.The earlier sets tend to swung too much while the later sets border on melancholy.This one has just the right amount of both.Billie sounds she's getting a lift from the group of men backing her on instrumentals and what a group:Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Freddie Green, Teddy Wilson.In fact you can hear the sheer joy and pleasure in Billie's singing.This was probably a very happy time in her life and she shares that with the world.Look for the standout swinger tracks:"Travelin' All Alone" "Back in Your Own Backyard" "Born to Love" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It", but really, all the tracks are classics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Swing    8. Traditional Pop    9. Vocal Jazz   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Subjects:  1. Classic Female Blues    2. Jazz    3. Jazz Vocals    4. Pop    5. Swing    6. Traditional Pop    7. United States of America    8. Vocal Jazz   

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Vocals    5. Pop    6. Standards    7. Swing    8. Torch Songs    9. Traditional Pop    10. United States of America    11. Vocal Jazz   

Reviews (1)

Best of Etta's 1950's recordings for Modern Records.
This is a great collection of all of Etta James' recordings cut for Modern Records when Etta was just a teenager. It includes classic hits from the R&B charts including 'Tuff Lover', 'The Wallflower' as well as manyother sassy recordings. The sound on this CD is outstanding as it has beenmastered from first generation master tapes.Several of the tracksincluding 'Tuff Lover'were recorded in New Orleans with the Cosimo Studiohouse band which also played on hits by Little Richard, Fats Domino, LloydPrice and many others. Buy this bargain priced CD and enjoy the rock'n'rollsounds of 1950's young America. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Pop    4. R&B    5. Soul    6. Soul-Blues    7. Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues   

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Big Band    3. Bop    4. Classic Female Blues    5. Easy Listening    6. Easy Listening Collections    7. Pop    8. Popular Music    9. Show Tunes    10. Standards    11. Swing    12. Traditional Pop    13. Vocal Jazz   

Reviews (4)

My O My!!
What a wonderful side. This CD is good from top to bottom. No clunkers here. What a talent. I can't believe she slipped by for so many years. Consider the time wasted listening to the Stones, Beatles, Zep, etc. Forgive me father and thank you for k starr.

I bought five Kay Starr CDs...
...and this is (by far) my favorite. It's a collection of singles from early in Starr's career, mostly recorded when she was 23 and 24 years old. Her vocal style was different then, very bluesy, very Memphis, and she is helped by a few excellent mid-1940s swing bands. The results sound like a lost (and very magical) Billie Holiday album, an upbeat one at that. Great song choices, many standards. This album is a real discovery.

Discover the jazz singer KAY STARR...
These red hot jazz sides by Kay Starr were recorded in the 30's & 40's before she became a pop star, here she is a true jazz singer singing jazz and swing standards backed by some great small groups...This is pre WHEELA FORTUNE Kay Starr, swingin', improvising, and having fun with the likesof Barney Bigard, Wingy Manone, Bob Crosby and many other hot musicians. Highly recommended.GREAT SOUND QUALITY ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classic Female Blues    2. Jazz Music    3. Jazz Vocals    4. Pop    5. Pop Vocals    6. Standards    7. Swing    8. Traditional Pop   

Reviews (1)

Must have
Dinah at her best!Great songs,great arrangements,Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Pop    6. Standards    7. Traditional Pop    8. Vocal Jazz   

Editorial Review

Etta James, Ruth Brown, and Little Esther Phillips helped revolutionize American music with early-'50s rock & roll hits, but they grew up thinking of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Dinah Washington as the ultimate in singing. As they got older, James, Brown, and Phillips all recorded pop standards in the style of their original heroes, but James made the most convincing transition from sock-hop shouter to cabaret crooner, recording standards while still with Chess in the early '60s, and ultimately garnering a mid-'90s Grammy for her album of Holiday songs, Read more

Reviews (3)

Etta--An Overlooked Diva
This gritty soul-filled woman can move me like no other R&B singer. Her version of the classic These Foolish Things scales the octaves like 'a fairground's painted swings/these foolish things/remind me of you'. A mix of Holiday and Fitzgerald, Etta takes us with her as she loses herself in the music. When she wails I just want to do the same. And that's her magic, she knows, God how she knows, how a woman feels. A great cd a great singer.

The cd you take with you to a desert island...
If you can have but one blues cd...make it this one. Etta is at her very best in these recordings and brings a sweaty, kettle-about-to-boil-over passion reminiscent of Big Maybelle's Okey Sessions to these bluesstandards. This is one of the best cd of Miss Etta James
The Classic Balladry Of Etta James.She sings with grace and class.She brings new meaning to the classic.The songs on this cd are a true testament of her singing ability.When Etta sings (You Cant Talk To A Fool) you canfell the pain in her voice with the hurt.Miss Etta James is one of the bestsinger of our times.And the last song on this cd (Hold Back the Tears) willmove you .This is a hallmark of a great singer.This is a must have cd forall of Etta James fans. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Pop    4. R&B    5. Soul    6. Soul-Blues   

Features

• Live

Reviews (3)

Great collection.
This is a great collection of some of Billie's best, very well selected, sequenced and engineered. Just enough of the old SUPERB - DON'T MISS IT!!!
I am a huge fan of Billie's and this recording is just great in every way. First, it is live, and as another reviewer mentioned, you can actually hear the audience cheering and catcalling, thrilled to be listening - it is almost as if one is sent back in time and we're there, too! Second, it is a compiltion of performances through the years, so we get Billie soaring, gliding, and struggling from the early 40's through the late 50's. A must have, to be sure!!! "You'd better go now," "There is no greater love," and most especially "Travlin' light" are beyond great. They're mythical and light as a feather. You cannot go wrong with ANY of the Verve Billie's and this one is a super introduction to one of music's most complex and moving performers. We love you, Billie.

Lady Day captured LIVE
This CD is probably one of the most played I have of Billie's and I have a LOT. The label has done a terrific job of getting things that are on lots of CDs, on THIS one alone. Acetate discs were used for some remastering,and it is evident, but equally evident is Billie in front of an audience! They literally go wild, at the mere suggestion of a song. Her versions of"No Greater Love" and "I Cover The Waterfront" are theDEFINITIVE ones here. Her voice was never so beautiful, floating throughthe air at Carnegie Hall, the audience in a quiet hush listening to historybeing made. This CD also ends with the last two songs Billie ever sang,"Lover Man" and "What a Little Moonlight." Great voice,great sound, great night!This gives you a complete picture, and a lovelyone of that, of the great artist in concert. There is no other CD like thisone! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Blues Music    3. Classic Female Blues    4. Jazz    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Swing    8. Torch Songs    9. Traditional Pop    10. Vocal Jazz   

Features

• Box set
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (3)

Blues at it's best
This compelation is one of the most complete early blues recordings from it's infancy ( 1923-1948 )that I have found in one buy.It's all original recordings in there true bluesy sound that brings out what blues is all about, true heartfelt,booze drinking,spouse cheating best.From Sonny Boy Williamson to Muddy Waters to Bukka White to John Lee Hooker to Memphis Minnie. It's all here. You think jeez 40 cd's ?? But there are doubled so it's only 20cd's ( case wise ) of the best blues..You can't go wrong..

Best Boxed Set of its kind?
10 STARS!!! It's like having a huge collection of vintage LPs from the early- to mid-20th century. 10 CDs with an average 17-18 songs per, with superb remastering. There are so many artists -- some big names and some not, but all choices on this set are notable. Lyrics go from the sublime to the hilarious: "I sent my woman a $20 bill ... If that don' bring her back, my shotgun prob'ly will" ... the masterful guitar, piano and voices are as remarkable today as they were then.

Awesome collection!!
Simply one of the best collections of early blues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Acoustic Chicago Blues    3. Acoustic Memphis Blues    4. Big Band    5. Blues    6. Blues Collections    7. Blues Revival    8. Boogie-Woogie    9. Bop    10. Chicago Blues    11. Classic Female Blues    12. Classic Jazz    13. Country Blues    14. Delta Blues    15. Dixieland    16. East Coast Blues    17. Electric Blues    18. Electric Chicago Blues    19. Electric Delta Blues    20. Electric Texas Blues   

Reviews (3)

Each Song is Perfect, Masterful Verve Compilation
What we have here is a masterpiece of mood. That silky, late night mood that gives birth to all kinds of romantic thoughts--some wistful, some satisfying, some unbearably sad, lonely or even hopeful. Verve has done an incredible job of selecting a wide range of performers, songs, and time periods and succeed in making this an indispensible jazz collection. Dinah Washington's acapella notes at the beginning of the "i'll Close My Eyes" is a perfect curtain-raiser; Stephane Grapelli's short, melancholy "Souvenir de Villagen" is a perfect closing theme. Some true standouts in a collection of them: Oscar Peterson giving one of the most tender piano solos in his career on "I Loves You, Porgy," and a haunting, smokey "My Funny Valentine" from sax great Ben Webster. In the vocal deparment, Billie Holiday turns in a surprisingly upbeat "Darn That Dream" near the end of her life that actually supplies some hope amid her despair; and Joao Gilberto pleading of Brazilian love in "O Grande Amor." The Joe Williams "Embraceable You" is from 1989, and shows the blues great at a different level, more intimate and vulnerable, although he's still creatively jazzy. Other greats are the very sad duets "Maybe September" from Jimmy Smith/Wes Montgomery and "Turn out the Stars" from subtle masters Bill Evans and Jim Hall. Mel Torme's vocal group and Count Basie's orchestra work their usual mastery, and perhaps the most sublime recording is the First Lady of Song herself backed up by that greatest of jazz bands, Duke Ellington and his orchestra in "I Didn't Know About You" which is not a mistake you should make in regarding this album, which is most definetly worth knowing about.

Hail Verve for an amazing Compilation
Words fail me when I try to describe the emotions present in the songs on this collection. Verve has truly done masterful work in selecting songs with that certain midnight mood, that star-crossed lover, intimate feeling that jazz romance is supposed to be, all dark blue night and purple horizons. There's a vareity of feeling here, but an overall brillance that makes this worth every penny. The only problem would be length, proving that no good album is too short. Some favorites: Oscar Peterson plays "I Loves You, Porgy" with such a delicate tenderness and wistful longing that it'll make you stop whatever you're doing and just be DRAWN IN. Billie Holiday sings "Darn that Dream" near the end of her life, but there's a surprising hopefulness in this interpretation that sets it off from her gloomier side. A 1989 Joe Williams "Embraceable You" shows a different Joe than the one who scatted with Basie in the 1950s-- this Joe is more emotional and sensitive in his later years, but still not afraid to twist the melody and words in a fun, seductive way. Speaking of seductive, Ben Webster plays the Chet Baker staple "My Funny Valentine" through a smokey mist that enables the listener to hear shades of the tune never contemplated before. The underrated Prysock emotes true heartbreak with the string-backed vocal "Teardrops in the Rain." Ella and Duke work magnificently, as always: "Didn't Know about You" is probably the most romatic cut here, except maybe for Joao Gilberto's gravity-defying stroll through "O Grande Amor." The Evans/Hall and Montgomery/Smith collaborations are atmospheric and contemplative, reminiscent of autumns and lost love...Dinah Washington is one hell of a curtain-opener with "I'll Close My Eyes," alternately hopeful, bluesy, and desperate in it's longing, and it doesn't get much better than that.

Some Extraordinary Stuff from Verve Vaults
The people at Verve Records really know how to set a mood when they make a jazz compliation album, as both the "Night Out" box set and the whole "Jazz 'Round Midnight" series prove. This is an alsum for the budget-minded jazz fan who doesn't have the cash for each selection, but Verve makes it worth every penny. There's every style of midnight music here, from wistfulness (Count Basie's "Softly With Feeling") to mounrful sadness (Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith's "Maybe September") and of course, romantic happiness (Ella Fitzgerald and Duke's duet on "Didn't Know About You"). There are some great standout tracks here, especially Oscar Peterson playing "I Loves You, Porgy" and making it incredibly cool and beautiful, and Ben Webster sounding mysteriously smoky and sad on "My Funny Valentine." Verve can also be commended for a diverse line-up: where else can you find Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holliday(a surprisingly upbeat "Darn that Dream')Stephane Grapelli, Joa Gilberto, Bill Evans, and Arthur Prysock in the same place? However, this means no Chet Baker or Charlie Parker, and their lack of inclusion os notable. But in the end it doesn't really matter, this is a 16-song album of great material from start to finish, and as the first song openes with Dinah Washingtoon's acapella voice rising on "I'll Close My Eyes," you'll know you made the right purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Big Band    3. Bop    4. Bossa Nova    5. Brazilian Jazz    6. Classic Female Blues    7. Continental Jazz    8. Cool    9. Hard Bop    10. Jazz    11. Jazz Music    12. Mainstream Jazz    13. Pop    14. Post-Bop    15. Soul-Jazz    16. Standards    17. Swing    18. Traditional Pop    19. Vocal Jazz    20. West Coast Jazz   

Editorial Review

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Features

• Box set

Reviews (1)

An absolute must for R&B fans!!
This INCREDIBLE 8-CD set covers all of the Mercury blues, R&B and jump music from post-WWII -- the music that laid the foundation for the rock 'n roll revolution of the late '50's. The set is divided by geographic styles;West Coast, Southwest, East Coast and Midwest. There are many artistsfeatured who are all but unknown today, but were popular in the clubsub-culture and with returning GI's. I love the small orchestralarrangements of fast, jumpin' blues, boogie, and R&B tunes. The lyricsin many songs are hilarious, and demonstrate the subconscious relief ofending the world wars. Anyone who is remotely interested in R&B and thefoundations of rock HAS to get this set. It's expensive, but worth everysingle penny. I've been listening non-stop since the set arrived, and Iwalk around all day with the jumpin' and jivin' tunes in my head! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 40's    2. 50's    3. Acoustic Blues    4. Acoustic Chicago Blues    5. Ballads    6. Blues Music    7. Bop    8. Box Sets (Audio Only)    9. Classic Female Blues    10. Cool    11. Country Blues    12. Electric Blues    13. Electric Chicago Blues    14. Electric Texas Blues    15. Jazz Blues    16. Jump Blues    17. New York Blues    18. Piano Blues    19. Pop    20. R&B   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (1)

Definitely "Complete" with Great Sound Quality
One of the great singers of the 20th century. This series is definitely COMPLETE with excellent sound quality considering many of these tracks are over 40-60 years old.
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Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Traditional Pop    9. Vocal Jazz   

Reviews (1)

Classic blues singing....
Trixie Smith had a clear and dicty voice, you can understand each word she says clealy.This CD is a great overview on Miss Smith.Highlights include "He Has To Beat Me To Keep Me" and a dixieland version of"Everybody Loves My Baby."Not strictly a blues singer but afine swing and dixieland singer too.Excellent CD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Classic Female Blues    4. Jazz    5. Pop   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (6)

****1/2 - one of Koko Taylor's finest Alligator albums
She is a force of nature, the "63 year old mama". Koko Taylor's big and rough but suitably expressive voice is just about as strong as ever on this 1993 album. It still is, even though she will turn seventy later on this year.
This is some Blues
Koko Really puts all effort into this album.Good Foot Stompin Blues Music to enjoy in the car or at home or anywhere.This album is a keepers so I reccomend to buy this album for keepers.For a (63 year old Mama) She can tell someone they are a (houndog).

koko taylor force of nature
great musicgreat blues great version w/buddy guy of born under a bad sign the main reason i brought the cd ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Electric Chicago Blues    4. Modern Electric Chicago Blues    5. Pop   

Reviews (3)

Good early-70s album with a handful of interesting live cuts
This Disques Black and Blue-album is the only one Koko Taylor recorded between leaving Chess and joining Bruce Iglauer's Alligator Records.
A Blues Reviewer
This is a collectors item. This is when Koko wasn't with Chess or alligator records. she recorded this on Black and Blue. She really is a good team withJimmy Rogers Louis Myers Willie Mabon Dave Myers and Fred below.I would say if you want to jump and shout then pop this in your cd player. she isn't playing in this record and even does a live version of Wang Dang Doodle and a few other hits. all of her live music on this album was recorded in amstelveen,netherlands.

i'm a little mixed up...
great time blues, and one f the best voices for it you'll find. hear her growl, and feel your knees give way to the beast of the blues... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Electric Chicago Blues    3. Modern Electric Chicago Blues    4. Pop    5. Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (2)

a GREAT INTRODUCTION TO THIS BLUES LEGEND
MANY NELEIVE MAMIE'S HUGE HIT CRAZY BLUES, WAS THE 1ST BLUES EVER RECORDE, ALTHOUGH TAHT IS NOT TRUE, BECAUSE MARION HARRIS WAXED SOME BLUES IN THE TEENS, THIS ARTIST STILL DESERVES CREDIT FOR PUTTING BLUES ON THE MAP AND STARTING A NATIONAL BLUES CRAZE.AFTER MAMIE'S RECORDING, EVERYONE EVEN VAUDEVILE ENTERTAINERS LIKE EDDIE CANTOR BEGAB RECORDING BLUES. The First Lady Of The Blues Returns To The Scene!
It is time for Mamie Smith fans and collectors to rejoice. Columbia Legacy has released a set of the best of her performances for the label and it is perfection! The remastering makes Mamie Smith's singing totally accessable for the first time and she was a powerful and expressive singer. This lady was the first vaudeville blues singer to record and she set the stage and standard for all who would follow her. These would include Bessie, Clara, Trixie, and Laura Smith (none related) as well as Rosa Henderson, Hazel Meyers, Ethel Waters, and many others.Mamie was a great entertainer and her recordings tend to feature "showstoppers" rather than strictly mournful blues. Buy this CD for the wonderful photographs of Mamie as well as the ads, some seen for the first time since original publication.If you have the four volume complete Mamie Smith released on Document, you will still need this set for the first rate booklet notes and superior sound.Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Early American Blues    4. Jazz Blues    5. Pop    6. Prewar Blues    7. Vaudeville Blues   

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Chicago Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Traditional    5. Classic Female Blues    6. Piano Blues    7. Pop    8. Prewar Country Blues   

Features

• Import

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Classic Jazz    4. Trad Jazz    5. Vaudeville Blues   

Editorial Review

Few artists better fit Alligator Records' avowed housepolicy of "HouseRockin' Music" than Koko Taylor. What she lacked in subtlety shemade up inraw authority. This was her Alligator debut after several years onChess, andit established the formula she would use from that point onward.The focus ison mid- and uptempo songs. The band, led in this instance byMighty Joe Young,is tight and rocking, and just one song breaks four minutes. Bluesstandards,such as "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean" and "Big Boss Man,"are mixed withself-composed numbers like "Voodoo Woman." The only surprise iscountry starWebb Piece's "Honky-Tonk Song." The formula would eventually wearthin, but itworks splendidly here. Read more

Reviews (3)

****1/2. Wonderful, gritty Chicago blues
This is Koko Taylor's first Alligator album, forty minutes of tough electric blues and one of the very best of her many post-Chess recordings.
Koko Can Sing The Blues
Koko Taylor lets out all of her power onto this cd. She really shows that she puts effort into the blues. Buy this CD and I mean it. She is the only woman I have ever heard make such growls and have such energy. Koko Taylor is The Quen and get it straight. Buy this Cd and I know you will not be dissapointed.

I've Got What it Takes
This is quintessential Electrified Chicago Blues at its very best!If you like the Blues Brothers sound, if you like horns-This CD is for you!My blues collection spans the earliest recordings to the most recent, and thisCD is on my short list.Truely outstanding! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Electric Chicago Blues    4. Modern Electric Chicago Blues    5. Pop