Bands Music

This CD comes close to offering the ODJB's entire recording history, except for the sides on Columbia, before the RCA recordings, and some of their sides with larger orchestras. Still, this is an outstanding sampling of their music, including the recordings made in l936, when the band got back together for the March of Dimes. It's neat to catch the energy still in the band over these years, even though the recording techniques are so primitive for their earlier sides. They're the pioneers of recorded traditional jazz, and deserve all of their hype. See my review of other ODJB CDS.

This CD comes close to offering the ODJB's entire recording history, except for the sides on Columbia, before the RCA recordings, and some of their sides with larger orchestras. Still, this is an outstanding sampling of their music, including the recordings made in l936, when the band got back together for the March of Dimes. It's neat to catch the energy still in the band over these years, even though the recording techniques are so primitive for their earlier sides. They're the pioneers of recorded traditional jazz, and deserve all of their hype. See my review of other ODJB CDS.

This enterprising independent Dutch label has been doing a great service for all of us interested in popular music and jazz of the 1920s-30s, and this CD devoted to early-to-mid '20s recordings of Isham Jones is no exception. Most of these recordings show the presence, or influence, of the great trumpeter Louis Panico, who was the most prominent instrumentalist (besides Ish himself on tenor sax) in this great band. Most have not been transferred to CD before (that's not saying much, as there are only a handful of CD releases of Isham Jones available). About 3/4 of the songs are acoustically-recorded, but don't let that be a point of hesitation in acquiring this CD. Actually, Brunswick's late acoustic recording process was actually much better than its nacent switch to the microphone, in early 1925. The last few cuts show how primitive its "Light Ray" electrical recording process was (it was only by 1927, after the scope of this CD, that Brunswick began producing really nice recordings). The music shows a heavy jazz and blues influence, without being pure jazz (with rare exception). Some of it is quite hot! And here is one of my favorite songs, "Cotton Pickers Ball", a really great recreation of early New Orleans-style jazz (okay, this is the exception). I have the (rather rare) original record, and love playing it when showing off one of my vintage acoustic phonographs to friends. The transfers are wonderful, and the album is well-annotated.

Enthusiastically recommended.

A swell selection of the earliest material by "sweet band" jazzman Isham Jones, who was one of the most popular dance bandleaders of the 1920s. The first half of this disc features trumpet work by Louis Panico, a white player whose early-'20s performances were greatly admired by Louis Armstrong, as well as youthful would-be jazzmen such as Bix Beiderbecke and Eddie Condon. Panico was apparently lured away from Jones' orchestra by a rival outfit, but was replaced by Frankie Quartell, who was no sloutch himself. All of the songs on here exemplify the sweet, classy style that Jones pioneered, music that was later taken up and refined by big band "swing" musicians such as Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and the Dorsey Brothers... This early stuff is great, though, too!!

Joe 'King' Oliver was at his creative zenith when he led this seminal band,and this stunning CD is chock full of gems,from the lovely chorus of "Chimes Blues" to the stately elegance of "Zulu's Ball" (which,once upon a time had been the rarest jazz 78 on earth!);Actually,in my judgment Oliver is/was well-nigh the equal to Jelly Roll Morton insofar as gifts and musicianship is concerned (and there are two covers here of Morton tunes VERY tastefully done).Its little wonder then that the youthful second cornetist here by the name of Louis Armstrong went on to rapidly flower in his own art just a couple of years later,- how could he not,given this enviornment of Oliver (and Morton),... call it nature or nurture...The digital transfers here (like most all CLASSICS volumes) is very well done. Oliver nuts such as myself will recommend the "Complete Set" double CD [...] but if youre new to Oliver or just counting your pennies,then this CD makes a splendid introduction to/summary of the Art of Joe 'King' Oliver. Don't be shy,...crank it up & play it loud n' proud,...I'm sure the neighbors can use a good revelation!!!!

I'm absolutely nonplussed by the fact that Amazon listeners are not commenting on these recordings. They are only "THE" seminal jazz recordings of the 20th century. Where do you suppose Louis Armstrong learned his licks? This group outshines all "roots" bands, and are absolutely in a class by themselves. The recordings still hold up to today's standards. They don't sound grainy or crude. They are as fresh as the day they were first minted. From whon do you suppose Ellington and Calloway derived their inspiration? Please give these recordings a listen and form your own opinion. But if your feet dont start stomping to the syncopated rythm, then brother, you're dead!

Joe 'King' Oliver was at his creative zenith when he led this seminal band,and this stunning CD is chock full of gems,from the lovely chorus of "Chimes Blues" to the stately elegance of "Zulu's Ball" (which,once upon a time had been the rarest jazz 78 on earth!);Actually,in my judgment Oliver is/was well-nigh the equal to Jelly Roll Morton insofar as gifts and musicianship is concerned (and there are two covers here of Morton tunes VERY tastefully done).Its little wonder then that the youthful second cornetist here by the name of Louis Armstrong went on to rapidly flower in his own art just a couple of years later,- how could he not,given this enviornment of Oliver (and Morton),... call it nature or nurture...The digital transfers here (like most all CLASSICS volumes) is very well done. Oliver nuts such as myself will recommend the "Complete Set" double CD [...] but if youre new to Oliver or just counting your pennies,then this CD makes a splendid introduction to/summary of the Art of Joe 'King' Oliver. Don't be shy,...crank it up & play it loud n' proud,...I'm sure the neighbors can use a good revelation!!!!

I'm absolutely nonplussed by the fact that Amazon listeners are not commenting on these recordings. They are only "THE" seminal jazz recordings of the 20th century. Where do you suppose Louis Armstrong learned his licks? This group outshines all "roots" bands, and are absolutely in a class by themselves. The recordings still hold up to today's standards. They don't sound grainy or crude. They are as fresh as the day they were first minted. From whon do you suppose Ellington and Calloway derived their inspiration? Please give these recordings a listen and form your own opinion. But if your feet dont start stomping to the syncopated rythm, then brother, you're dead!