Jazz & Blues > V Jazz & Blues > Contemporary Blues

Advantages: Near perfect saxophony.
Disadvantages: Too smooth.

...Very Best of Stan Getz. Sax Moods. The cost of this double CD varies, I actually got mine from a boot sale for £3, it can be bought on Amazon for less than a fiver. Stan Getz, to me, on tenor sax is like Kenny G is to soprano, Mr smooth. There is no doubt that this has been both his accolade and his downfall. Traditional jazz fans may well find him too smooth, yet his pedigree and grounding was in some of the more bebop style bands. His 'tone' ...
...pretty near perfect, now personally I like something a little more 'off' perfect. This double CD is broadly (though not completely) split into two genres. The first CD is more traditional jazz tunes and ballads whilst the 2nd CD is dominated by Latin, Bossa Nova type tunes, not my favourite genre (CD 2). The thing I do like about this double CD is that there is a whole bunch of other incredibly talented musicians her such as: Astrud Gilberto (vocals), ... Read review

Advantages: Charlie Parker of course.
Disadvantages: None.

Crazeology - Charlie Parker Jazz time again folks, well bebop to be precise (mostly). I make no secret of being a huge Charlie Parker fan. Not just because he was arguably the greatest alto saxophone player ever, but because he was a pioneer. At a time when black music was seen as something that was somehow less accomplished, and the musicians somewhat less worthy than their white counterparts (in fact it was thought that hardly any black musicians ...
...He wrote, he practically invented a new genre (be bop), well maybe I exaggerate, he was certainly one of the leading lights. He also played with chord structure and melodies and harmonies, tearing up the rule book and inventing his own style. His sound is incredibly distinctive, despite the fact that he played on numerous saxophones as he is known to have pawned and sold many, mainly to feed his heroin and alcohol addictions. I bought this CD mainly ... Read review

Advantages: A compact CD with excellent repertoire
Disadvantages: May not be know to the younger generation

...Classic old time favourite by Ella Fitzgerald with excellent vocals and the timbre unique to Ella herself; optimum recording exceeds some modern Jazz in tonality and expression. Ella Fitzgerald provides good enjoyable listening and a splendid addition to previous volumes - a veritable Jazz experience, well recommended. As an old classic released in 2005 this Ella Fitzgerald Vol. 4 is not new on the market but still provides enjoyable background music ...
...some super wedding anniversary? Ella Fitzgerald generates loving memories and moving old-time novelties for the younger generation. As for the collectionists or jazz music afficionados I would say this CD of Classic Jazz Vocals would be a special addition ensuring some long moments of listening to good music with a good touch of nostalgia. ... Read review

Advantages: Some of the all time best jazz saxophone ever.
Disadvantages: Some ommissions.

The Very Best of John Coltrane Some folks in commenting on a previous review wanted me to review some 'hard jazz'; well here goes. This was just one of the 'best of' or 'greatest hits' type albums, of several that have been issues since the great mans death at the tender age of 41. It seems that the saxophone 'greats' die young and tragically; Charlie Parker, Albert Ayler. Although primarily a tenor player, he also played an awful lot of soprano ...
...garde, for whilst he was very clear about the melody, often starting with it and coming back to it, he strayed, often a very long way from the melody and did things that jazz had not seen before. I am not proficient or understanding enough to explain this fully, and do not want to 'copy' what someone else has written, so I will just say this. If you read what he played (in music) or heard the notes in isolation, slowly, it does not make sense, yet ... Read review

Advantages: Good Fun, Swinging Jive time music, humorous
Disadvantages: perhaps a little close to the bone lyrically at time, but only if you're prudish!

One of the great Trad. Jazz players of our time, this collection has him at his dandy, playboy best. These tracks are uplifting, swinging numbers, perfect for jiving on a Friday or Saturday night, but equally fitted to a lazy Sunday morning with a copy of the paper and breakfast in bed. This compilation covers the earlier years of George's career, so his voice is at it's best. Though even in his later life (anyone who can perform at 80 with dementia ...
...about them) he managed to wow the crowds. These tracks are the best vocal performances Geoerge ever gave in my opinion. Melly's trademark tongue in cheek lewdness features in force, tracks like "Ma Reiney's Black Bottom" and "I'm A Ding Dong Daddy " are sure to raise a smile as the hips are swinging. Though these numbers are matched by the slower, bluesier tracks mid-way through the album. The mournful "I'm Down In The Dumps " and "Michigan Water ... Read review