Original Dixieland Jazz Band Music

You can buy the set, that this disc came from, for about the price of this single disc. Both are used of course.

For anyone interested in the beginnings of jazz, one begins with the ODJB, because "Livery Stable Blues" and "Dixieland One-Step" was the first record of jazz in February, l9l7. The recording techniques were primitive and subsequent recordings in the U.S. and England did little to improve the reproduction by modern standards. When the band got back together in the l930's, although at times a swing band and at times with different personnel, the jazz buff can hear the ODJB with much improved recording quality. The earlier recordings rerecorded are at a slower beat but unquestionably put the ODJB in the lead of innovative jazz and as Benny Goodman acknowledged in his Carnegie Hall concert, they were the true pioneers. Therefore, this is a must for any collector!

If you were born before 1950, you will like this CD. I bought it because I have long admired Andre Kostelanetz. He was accomplished in leading both popular and classical orchestras. The recordings on this CD are monaural and were recorded in the late 30's to mid 40's. I don't think Tiger Rag, Bugle Call Rag and Turkey in the Straw complement the other selections. The remainder, however, are lush and romantic.

In 1970 after 40 years Fiedler and the Pops left their long time label RCA for Deutsche Grammaphone. In the last six years of his life Fiedler made 12 albums for them, none have ever been released to CD (except for the Disney music in 1994)until now in the 5 double CD collection The Fiedler Legacy with album notes by Fiedler's daughter Johanna. This set, the first in the series, includes much of the music Fiedler recorded for the Bicentennal in 1975 and 76. The first disc opens with Fiedler's signature piece, Sousa's Stars and Stripes, and includes music by Copland,Ives,Gershwin (his Second Rhapsody which Fiedler premiered with the composer as soloist in 35) and Bernstein including a special orchestral suite of music from Bernstein's Mass arranged for Fiedler by the composer himself in 1976.The second disc includes the complete 1974 album of orchestral ragtime music that Fiedler made after the popularity of the movie The Sting brought it back.This side also includes the Newton Wayland arrangement of Variations on the Varsity Drag with Wayland on piano,three Leroy Anderson favorites,a medley of Richard Rodgers waltzes and three more Gershwin pieces including the orchestral arrangement of his three piano preludes. A great tribute to American music performed by a great American musician who knew many of these composers personally. A great addition to any music lovers CD collection.

I'M 100 % SATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS ALBUM
GREAT MUSIC
GREAT RECORDING

Very good listening. Traditional jazz at its best. The variety and scope of Miss Emma's jazz provides lively entertainment. Besides some of the traditional favorites the 2CD set includes several delightful renditions of old-time hymn tunes. As a lay minister I often use music for a time of reflection right after my message. A couple of times, while conducting worship at a nursing home I used the hymns for the musical interlude. A delighted,toe-tapping response ensued.