Essential Swing

Disc: 1
1. She's Got That Vibe - R. Kelly
2. Keep on Giving Me Love - Truce
3. Back & Forth - Aaliyah
4. Stay
5. Only One
6. Never Let Go
7. Peace and Free - Xavier
8. Just the Way - Jeff Ishmael
9. Higher
10. Be Mine Tonight
Disc: 2
1. C U When U Get There - Coolio, 40 Thevz
2. Close to You - George Treverson
3. Uptown
4. Back to the Lab - Darkman,
5. Heart of Mine
6. Hold Me - Paul Gordon,
7. Take You Home - Wayne Frazer
8. Sassy Lovers [Gone Home Mix]
9. I'd Bet My Life on It - Dale Kristien,
10. What's Not Yours - Darkman

Essential Swing,Various Artists,Beechwood,Contemporary R&B,Hip-Hop,New Jack Swing,Urban

Average customer rating:

Jump, Jive an' Wail: The Essential Louis Prima Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Jump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Essential Capitol Collection The Essential Capitol Collection Ultra-Lounge: Wild, Cool & Swingin' - Artist Series Vol 1 We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song Rickles' Book: A Memoir ASIN: B000QFAGEO Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

1. Medley: Angelina/Zooma Zooma
2. Jump, Jive An' Wail
3. That Old Black Magic
4. Oh Marie
5. The Lip
6. Bourbon Street Blues
7. I've Got You Under My Skin
8. Pennies From Heaven
9. Hey Boy! Hey Girl!
10. Luigi
11. (Up a) Lazy River
12. Medley: When You're Smiling/The Sheik Of Araby
13. I've Got the World On a String
14. Sing Sing Sing
15. Medley: Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody
16. Felicia No Capecia
17. 5 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days
18. St. Louis Blues
19. When the Saints Go Marching In
20. Big Daddy
21. Just One Of Those Things
22. Buona Sera
23. I Wan'na Be Like You (the Monkey Song)
24. Hello Dolly!
25. Cabaret
26. Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo)

Average customer rating: As you would expect -- Absolute fun Michael Jackson re-discovered! Definately The King Of Pop Excellent Compilation! Let Michael Jackson touch you.

The Essential Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Motown | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music New Jack | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Essential Daryl Hall & John Oates Design of a Decade 1986/1996 The Immaculate Collection The Very Best of Prince Stevie Wonder - The Definitive Collection ASIN: B0009XNUK0 Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

1. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
2. ABC - The Jackson 5
3. The Love You Save - The Jackson 5
4. Got To Be There - The Jackson 5
5. Rockin' Robin - The Jackson 5
6. Ben
7. Enjoy Yourself - The Jacksons
8. Blame It On The Boogie - The Jacksons
9. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
10. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
11. Rock With You
12. Off The Wall
13. She's Out Of My Life
14. The Girl Is Mine (with Paul McCartney)
15. Billie Jean
16. Beat It
17. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
18. Human Nature
19. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
20. Thriller

Tracks:

1. Bad
2. I Just Can't Stop Loving You (with Siedah Garrett)
3. Leave Me Alone
4. The Way You Make Me Feel
5. Man In The Mirror
6. Dirty Diana
7. Another Part Of Me
8. Smooth Criminal
9. Black Or White
10. Heal The World
11. Remember The Time
12. In The Closet
13. Who Is It
14. Will You Be There
15. Dangerous
16. You Are Not Alone
17. You Rock My World

Album Description

The 2CD The Essential Michael Jackson takes you on a journey from budding star, to iconic legend and allows you to immerse yourself in the musical and emotional development of each track defining the story of a global superstar.

Michael Jackson needs no introduction, as part of the Jackson 5 he helped make up a remarkable musical family and one of the biggest pop phenomenons of the early 70s. The Jacksons' infectious brand of funky soul and now iconic stage presence reached out globally and made them and Michael international stars.

As the success of the band grew, Michael branched out with his own solo career first launching with "Got to be There" and then "Rockin' Robin". The momentum started to grow with the release of more successful singles and, as the hype surrounding the Jackson 5 slowed down towards the late 70s, Michael continued to develop and grow as an artist. With the release of Off the Wall, an immaculately crafted set of funky disco-pop, smooth soul, and lush, sentimental pop ballads, Michael cemented his place as a global star. The 1980s were a career-defining period with his instantly identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and loads of sheer star power Michael Jackson was unstoppable. The 1982 album Thriller became the biggest selling album of all time and combined his musical genius with an exceptional and ahead of its time music video epic. Bad (1987) was released with enormous public anticipation and spawned another succession of hit singles with "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "Man in the Mirror."

Customer Reviews:

As you would expect -- Absolute fun.......2007-03-25

This is a wonderful compilation of "essentials" for the Michael Jackson aficionado--one thing that is really fun about it is that the first disc starts with his earliest work and then proceeds linearly onward. Basically, you get to listen to him grow older and hear how his voice and style change. It's very interesting.

To sum up: you get two wonderful discs with a wonderful compilation of the main hits of Michael Jackson--if you have a favorite song of his chances are it's on one of these discs. If you want a more complete collection you might try the Michael Jackson Ultimate Collection of course, but as I own both I must say that I nonetheless find this a very convenient collection for just grabbing to take along with me.

Great! And God bless dear Michael by the way.

Michael Jackson re-discovered!.......2007-03-24

Even though I'm only 25, I grew up listening to Michael Jackson. I was singing, twirling & grabbing my crotch like him when I was 10 years old. As I got older, my musical tastes shifted and my once beloved MJ cd/casettes started to gather dust.

Flash forward to a few days ago! I came across this CD and I KNEW I had to have it. It had been YEARS since I listened to the Michael Jackson classics and I just knew that this CD would make my day ;) I was growing tired of today's radio hits, but how can anyone get enough of Michael?

I loved hearing the Jackson 5's ABC & I Want You Back. Even though I'm not from that time, I still enjoyed Michael's earlier stuff. I also liked hearing Blame It On The Boogie, Shake Your Body Down To The Ground and Off The Wall. These are all GREAT tap your toe songs! The song, Can You Feel It, is also one of the many gems on this cd. Of course, many hit songs from the albums Thriller & Bad are also included. Many MJ compilations contain the same songs (Beat It, Billie Jean, Thriller, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Man In The Mirror) but it is refreshing to ALSO hear Dirty Diana, Leave Me Alone and Smooth Criminal. We are also treated to hear the lost hits from Michael's Dangerous album, including In The Closet, Who Is It and Dangerous (the album's exiting track). I feel bad, but I usually skip You Are Not Alone & You Rock My World. Those songs are only "Ho Hum" to me.

Overall, this is a wonderful CD. I've been listening to it in my car for 3 straight days. If you don't have any of your old MJ albums anymore, this is the CD to buy to have all the hits again.

Definately The King Of Pop.......2006-07-18

One should never judge the accomplishments made by an artist based solely on what one reads and sees in the news. How many singers can honestly say they have been in the spotlight for 3 decades? Very few can and are around to tell about it. It is unfortunate that many celebrities are tarnished by their lifestyles but at the same time these people have left a mark on world-wide culture. Michael Jackson is one such artist. Beginning in his youth in the 70s, MJ has gone from child performer to adult superstar. Few people over the age of 30 can deny that they have never heard of the greatest selling album of all time in the world : Michael Jackson's "Thriller". No fewer than 9 of the 11 tracks on the album were hits in the early 80s. Although his future albums never reached the awesome success seen by Thriller, no one can deny the genius in many of Jackson's recordings. The Essential Michael Jackson presents just enough of MJ's hits (everything from the J5 to little known songs from the recent past) to satisfy any fan. However, Say Say Say (a duet MJ had with Paul McCartney) is sorely missing. I have never even run across the album the song was originally released on. Although we may never again see a resurgence of Michael Jackson mania, listeners can relive what are fabulous songs by a gifted entertainer.

Excellent Compilation!.......2006-06-28

Greatest Hits albums are always difficult to rate. Realistically, no compilation will ever be able to gather every last "hit" from a particular artist, and "The Essential Michael Jackson" is no exception. And despite its (very few) limitations, "Essential" does an A+ job.

For starters, the amount of material in this package is quite staggering; it extends from the early #1's of the J5 under Motown up to Michael's latest solo work for a total of 38 songs. Ordered chronologically by single release date, "Essential" shows the impressive transformation of a child star into one of the most impressive musical forces in pop-music today. But despite the stylistic evolution and technological adaptions made along the way, the energy and emotion (neither insufficient nor overpowering) remain at the core of each and every song.

The first disc begins with the Jackson 5ive's first three number ones, as well as some of Michael's early solo work. Then, the J5 become The Jacksons, switching labels and becoming disco icons with hits like "Shake Your Body" and "Blame It On The Boogie". Of course, Michael finds the biggest success behind solo albums "Off the Wall" and "Thriller", which dominate the last half of this CD.

By disc number two, Michael is no longer splitting duty with his siblings and is 100% solo. "Bad" and "Dangerous" take up all but two tracks on this disc, which makes sense because those two LPs are both studio albums and greatest hits packages, considering the majority of the songs from those albums turned platinum. Lastly, the biggest hit of "HIStory" and "Invincible" round out the last two tracks.

Naturally, I didn't take the time to write out all of the tracks from "Essential", but just by the few I mentioned you can already grasp at the notion that this collection is pure platinum. If you're a casual Michael Jackson fan, this is a must buy. In a couple hours of listening, you'll understand why this man was the juggernaut he was.

"Essential" isn't perfect, however. If you own one or more of the "Big Four", then you're most likely better off skipping this. As those albums make up 90% of anything with "Michael Jackson" and "Greatest Hits" in the same title, you'd be better to just grab all four of those albums if you haven't done so already. There are a number of "Misses" that you'll be glad you shelled out extra for.

Also, the balance in "Essential" is great. Solo to group, ballad to dance hit, this is a very well constructed compilation. Where it fumbles the ball is in the source material. As said before, Michael's first four Epic solo albums have the lion's share of representation, which means that you now have another CD with "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Thriller". Meanwhile, the under-appreciated "HIStory" gets only 1 track, as does "Invincible". Granted, they didn't have quite the effect that the "Big Four" had on the music industry, but after doing such a great job of chronicling Michael's discography, the last decade of his career is basically glossed over.

Perhaps an additional disc was needed, which would allot more space not only for more recent songs, but also allow for additional songs in that didn't make the cut. Just a thought.

Regardless of the complaints, however, "Essential" does its job of presenting both 38 great tracks and providing a timeline of the most successful artist to date. And in focusing on the biggest hits, its only reasonable that some great undervalued songs aren't included. It's a shame, but can't diminish the value of this collection. If you're out for the ultimate Michael Jackson hits compilation, this is it.

Happy listening.

Let Michael Jackson touch you........2006-04-22

The man just keeps making magic, and with this album he manages to do it once more. Michael Jackson has always touched me in a special way, in a special place. And I'm pretty sure he's touched many people in the same way. This guy's gonna be big some day- I just know it! His music just keeps climbing the charts. One time I farted in an elevator. First off, I'd like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to let me talk to you about the sixties. You make me feel... very, very special. [take 2 tablets with food for voices in head]. And might I say what a lovely tie you're wearing, Mrs. Crabtree? [...call the police...] For the love of God, just do what they say!!!

Average customer rating:

The Essential Capitol Collection Keely Smith Manufacturer: Capitol/EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Jump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jump, Jive an' Wail: The Essential Call Me Irresponsible ASIN: B000R7HYQ4 Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

1. All The Things You Are
2. It's Been A Long, Long, Time
3. That Old Black Magic (w/ Louis Prima)
4. Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All The Time)
5. You Go To My Head
6. S'posin
7. Fools Rush In
8. The Song Is You
9. How Are Ya' Fixed On Love? (w/ Frank Sinatra)
10. The Birth Of The Blues
11. I Wish You Love
12. Someone To Watch Over Me
13. The Man I Love
14. Autumn Leaves
15. What Is This Thing Called Love?
16. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
17. Nothing's Too Good For My Baby (w/ Louis Prima)
18. I Can't Get Started
19. There'll Never Be Another You
20. Imagination
21. The Whippoorwill
22. Nothing In Common (w/ Frank Sinatra)
23. When Your Lover Has Gone
24. All The Way
25. Stardust
26. Don't Take Your Love Away From Me
27. When Day Is Done

Average customer rating:

The Essential Capitol Collection Keely Smith Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Jump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jump, Jive an' Wail: The Essential ASIN: B000QFCCRS Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

1. All The Things You Are
2. It's Been A Long, Long, Time
3. That Old Black Magic (w/ Louis Prima)
4. Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All The Time)
5. You Go To My Head
6. S'posin
7. Fools Rush In
8. The Song Is You
9. How Are Ya' Fixed On Love? (w/ Frank Sinatra)
10. The Birth Of The Blues
11. I Wish You Love
12. Someone To Watch Over Me
13. The Man I Love
14. Autumn Leaves
15. What Is This Thing Called Love?
16. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
17. Nothing's Too Good For My Baby (w/ Louis Prima)
18. I Can't Get Started
19. There'll Never Be Another You
20. Imagination
21. The Whippoorwill
22. Nothing In Common (w/ Frank Sinatra)
23. When Your Lover Has Gone
24. All The Way
25. Stardust
26. Don't Take Your Love Away From Me
27. When Day Is Done

Average customer rating: The Essential Rosemary Clooney cd Digitally remastered 2004 collection is the one you want Excellent introduction to Rosemary Clooney!

The Essential Rosemary Clooney Rosemary Clooney Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jazz Singer 16 Biggest Hits Rosemary Clooney - Greatest Hits [RCA Victor] Dino: The Essential Dean Martin Pure Ella: The Very Best of Ella Fitzgerald ASIN: B0002S94V6 Release Date: 2004-08-31

Tracks:

1. Come On - A My House
2. In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening
3. Hey There
4. Half As Much
5. Botch-A-Me (Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina)
6. The Lady Is A Tramp
7. You Started Something
8. You Make Me Feel So Young
9. Blue Rose
10. Love, You Didn't do Right By Me
11. Blame It On My Youth
12. Mambo Italiano
13. This Ole House
14. Tenderly
15. Mangos
16. From This Moment On

Amazon.com

Though she would finish her career as one of the most respected jazz singers in American popular music, Rosemary Clooney fought long and hard for those props. This 16-track collection chronicles the early stages of her struggle, mixing the outright, if still vibrant novelty songs (tunes like "Mambo Italiano" and "Come On-A My House" were foisted on Clooney by label exec Mitch Miller) that helped make her a popular film, radio and TV star with more sublime fare like "Tenderly" and the emblematic hit "Hey There." But it's on tracks like Duke Ellington's "Blue Rose" and a pre-Sinatra take on "The Lady is a Tramp" that her true muse comes shining through. Though limited in scope, this anthology manages to showcase the early hits that made Clooney a star and, more importantly, the beginnings of the willful jazz sensibility that forged her legend. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

The Essential Rosemary Clooney cd.......2007-01-05

Good price and if you've not had the pleasure of hearing Clooney sing, do yourself a favor and get this cd. If you love a mellow voice, you'll adore Clooney!

Digitally remastered 2004 collection is the one you want .......2005-06-11

My first encounter with the music of Rosemary Clooney was as a 14 year old teenager in 1966 playing one of my aunts scratchy old LP's. That collection of early 1950's pre rock and roll hits included Rosemary Clooney's #1 smash "Come On A My House". "How silly..." I thought. "and adults think our music is stupid." My first impression of Rosemary Clooney would stay with me for a good many years. It was not until the 1980's that I really began to appreciate just what an incredibly gifted singer she was.
"The Essential Rosemary Clooney" features 16 of her very finest recordings. Sure you will find all of her big hits from the early 50's including "Half As Much", "This Old House", "Hey There" and of course "Come On A My House". But you will also be treated to a dozen other great tracks including Rosemary's first hit from 1947 "You Started Something" recorded during her stint as lead vocalist with Tony Pastor and his Orchestra. Next, enjoy her swinging rendition of "The Lady Is A Tramp" from the Broadway musical "Babes in Arms". Also featured is "Blue Rose', a rare collaboration with the legendary Duke Ellington. I would also recommend to you a pair of other tunes. "In The Cool, Cool, Cool of The Evening" is a fabulous
Hoagy Carmicheal/Johnny Mercer tune which Rosemary recorded with Harry James back in 1952. Outstanding. Finally, you are sure to enjoy Clooney's rendition of the great standard "Tenderly".
Sad to say we lost the great Rosemary Clooney on June 29, 2002 from lung cancer. She was still making memorable records. "The Essential Rosemary Clooney" reminds us just how great a singer she was. Although Mitch Miller and the folks at Columbia records insisted she release a good many novelty tunes that became wildly successful hit singles Rosemary Clooney preferred to sing sad ballads. Happily, she got to do a lot more of what she enjoyed most in her later years. "The Essential Rosemary Clooney" is a "must have" for fans of classic pop. The remastering job is absolutely superb and will greatly enhance your enjoyment of this marvelous collection.
Highly recommended!

Excellent introduction to Rosemary Clooney!.......2005-01-06

I'm just recently discovering what is being coined as "nostalgia music" -- having found an "adult favorites" channel on my dish network. I absolutely love the upbeat sound and happy, spirited tunes from the 40s and 50s. Rosemary Clooney was my first purchase of crooners that I've enjoyed on this channel and this cd has all of my favorites. Next stop is Pat Suzuki!

Average customer rating: The Essential Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys Aahhh-hah, I've found the essential single disc collection of Wills' hottest sides Bob Wills will always be the king! As good a nintroduction as any ,to Bob Wills' Playboys' musi Bob Wills is Still the King

The Essential Bob Wills 1935-1947 Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Western Swing | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The King of Western Swing: 25 Hits (1935-1945) The Essential Jimmie Rodgers For the Last Time Take Me Back to Tulsa Ride With Bob ASIN: B00000288D Release Date: 1992-10-13

Tracks:

1. Osage Stomp
2. Steel Guitar Rag
3. Right Or Wrong
4. Time Changes Everything
5. New San Antonio Rose
6. Bob Wills Special
7. Twin Guitar Special
8. Take Me Back To Tulsa
9. A Maiden's Prayer
10. Home In San Antone
11. Misss Molly
12. Texas Playboy Rag
13. Stay A Little Longer
14. Roly Poly
15. New Spanish Two Step
16. Sugar Moon
17. Brain Cloudy Blues
18. Fat Boy Rag
19. Deep Water
20. Bob Wills Boogie

Amazon.com essential recording

The Essential Bob Wills might more accurately be called The Essential Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. While Wills was certainly the charismatic stage presence, talent scout, songwriter, and Western-swing mastermind, the Playboys--one of the best bands to ever grace this earth--most shine on these early sides. From horn-heavy, big-band-inspired recordings such as "Osage Stomp" and "Right or Wrong" to fiddle-driven, closer-to-country classics such as "Take Me Back to Tulsa" and "Stay a Little Longer," it was primarily the incomparable playing of pianist Al Stricklin, steel legend Leon McAuliffe, and the other Playboys, not to mention the smoother-than-smooth vocals of the great Tommy Duncan, that made this band the Southwest's flagship two-steppin' outfit and that make these 20 tracks truly "essential." --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

The Essential Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys.......2006-07-20

If you really, really like Texas swing, this is a must-have CD. When listening, I can just imagine driving down some long, straight, lonesome highway on a hot Texas summer night in my '39 Ford (which I owned once) listening to these songs on the scratchy radio (which was in the Ford I owned). The songs are repetitous, but OH SO SWEET. I wish there could have been some historical documentation with the CD, eg some bio's of the artists, a bit of concert trivia, etc.

Aahhh-hah, I've found the essential single disc collection of Wills' hottest sides.......2006-03-16

This is certianly the best priced, easiest to find, and best single disc sampler of Wills' early years. The period covered here is his best 36-47, when western swing was fresh and new. Wills creatively blends hillbilly blues, and hot jazz, for some sizzling swing music. Exellent piano and steel guitar playing throughout. The musicianship is high, and this band is really tight, I mean Flether Henderson tight! As far as the music being fun goes, you get to hear Bob Wills yell in a high pitched voice at least three times in every song "ahhh-hahhh", which is half the fun of hearing a Bob Wills album. This cd features Wills' small swing combos, and several examples of his full big band. Exellent music that is still exciting today as it was in 1936!

Bob Wills will always be the king!.......2005-02-20

I am 20 y ears of age and I have always been a true Bob Wills fan! This collection brings together all his early hits but his best work in my opinoin was when he was with Columbia from 1935-1947. I have all of them on the comprehensive 11 CD box set entitled San Antonio Rose which features everyone of his Columbia recordings in cronological order! It is fantastic! Highly recommended for true Bob Wills and western swing fans! For starters only I recommend this CD for it contains San Antonio Rose and all his early hits. Ah-haa!!!

As good a nintroduction as any ,to Bob Wills' Playboys' musi.......2004-08-28

This is a good place to start when discovering the music of Bob Wilsl and his playboys. Fine jazz influenced western swing. This is where swinging jazz meets hillbilly bop! Exciting and pioneering music. Also check out Milton Brown and Wills' other brotther Billy Jack Wills for more fun western swing...

Bob Wills is Still the King.......2004-03-12

This is a collection of recordings by the Texas Playboys band from around 1936 until around 1947, the years they recorded for Columbia and its various sub brands like Okeh.

As such it shows the enormous diversity of the playboys over the years. Until around 1945, Wills fronted what was really two bands. One was a Western Swing combo includings fiddles and guitars, steel and one or two horns and rhythm. The other was a full scale big band with reed and brass section along with the Western Swing instruments. The big band played originals and stock arrangements written for big bands for big band top hits like In the Mood.

Particularly during the mid 1930s, some Wills recordings were everything in between the full swing band and just fiddle and rhythm accompaniment. While he was quite faithful as long he recorded to the old ranch dance sounds he had grown up playing with his dad, Wills welcomed any kind of inovative music by his players. In the 1940s the band featured the Charlie Christian influenced guitar solos of Jimmy Wyble and Cameron Hill who went on to work for Spade Cooley and the near rock style hot metal blues guitar solos of Lester Bernard Junior. In the late 1940s and early 1950s Wills would use Tiny Moore and Johnny Gimble both on electric mandolin and fiddle who would take bebop influenced solos even though both were also great traditional fiddlers (In fact, it is Johnny Gimble, not Bob Wills, who is the main fiddle player on their great 1950s hit on the traditional Texas fiddle tune, "Faded Love" )

After WWII Wills dropped the big band and had a western swing combo with usually one horn either a trumpet or a sax, and rarely he had fiddler Louis Tierney double on sax along with the trumpet. The key instruments in the combo were usually a steel guitar, electric mandolin, and electric guitar section plus two or three fiddles, along with a rhythm section, although for a while in the 1950s, Wills had both an old Hawaiian Steel guitar AND one of the new pedal steels.

The music here is great, terrific and wonderful. The playboys had fun. Current ideas about genre, especially sterotypes about country music have to be dropped. Wills's band did not consider themselves as part of country music, but as part of pop music and Jazz. They never had much to do with the Southeastern "Country Music" operation that was growing up around Nasheville. In fact in 1945 when the Playboys were the biggest grossing act in all popular music (bigger than Sinatra or Glenn Miller or Bing Crosby who actually had a big hit on Wills' San Antionio Rose and who performed withthe Playboys during WWII bond drives!) they were finally invited on the Grand Ole Opry. They almost left without performing when the Opry explained it didnt allow drums and horns, and Wills said he would leave if he had to do that.

The Playbou image was originally associated with kind of "collegiate" a 1920's Jazz age image if you look at the photographs of the original Playboys in their "college" sweaters. They adopted the cowboy image only in the late 1930s when they began to perform in Western pictures.

As a Black performer of blues among other things, I love Tommy Duncan's Blues singing and do several of his songs just as he does them, and get a great response from audiences when I do.

The big problem is that Columbia keeps putting out these one records with some, but not all of the Wills stuff they recorded. If you buy these you end up with three or four recordings of the same tune. Wills is so good, that you will find you need it all. Seriously consider getting a bigger set, because you will need it all.

As has been said this is just the Columbia stuff from 1936-1947. MGM put out a terrific collection of ALL THEIR recordings from 1947 to about 1953 called Boot Heel Drag. Also there are about 10 CDs of the tiffany transcriptions that Rounder has out. These were non commercial recordings the band made to be sold to radio stations along with commercials for a furniture company. They are all between around 1945 and 1949 and are looser, hotter, more informal and include more pop and jazz material than what was issued by Columbia or MGM.

Finally there is For the Last Time, the only reunion done of the old band with Bob. Bob fell into a comma that he never recovered from during the session and there was even more emotion in the playing on that Album.

Bob Will's shouting and hollering is part of the act. As has been said it comes out of the old minstrel shows, but also is much like what you would have heard from a lot of the black jazz men of the 1920s especially Louis Armstrong. It gave a special push to his soloists. Also at a time when most band leaders had no regard for the career of band members, Wills' calls of the names of his performers made them stars in their own right and glorified the instrumental excellence of their solos.

In fact, Bob's call to Leon McAuliffe "take it away leon" became a stock phrase in the whole US population in the 1940s and 1950s.

Bob Wills is still the King

Average customer rating: There willl never be another like him. A Fine compilation Wonderful Collection!!!!!!!! Great Album to Remember Marty Robbins The Essential Marty Robbins

The Essential Marty Robbins Marty Robbins Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cowboy | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Western Swing | Country | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs Marty Robbins Anthology Marty Robbins - All-Time Greatest Hits The Essential Jim Reeves A Lifetime of Song (1951-1982) ASIN: B0009RQSD2 Release Date: 2005-06-28

Tracks:

1. I'll Go On Alone
2. I Couldn't Keep From Crying
3. That's All Right
4. I Can't Quit (I've Gone Too Far)
5. Singing The Blues
6. Mister Teardrop
7. Knee Deep In The Blues
8. A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation)
9. The Story Of My Life
10. She Was Only Seventeen (He Was One Year More)
11. Just Married
12. Stairway Of Love
13. Ain't I The Lucky One
14. The Hanging Tree
15. El Paso
16. Big Iron
17. Ballad Of The Alamo
18. Don't Worry
19. Devil Woman
20. Ruby Ann

Tracks:

1. Cigarettes And Coffee Blues
2. Begging To You
3. Ribbon Of Darkness
4. The Cowboy In The Continental Suit
5. Faleena (From El Paso)
6. Tonight Carmen
7. The Shoe Goes On The Other Foot Tonight
8. I Walk Alone
9. You Gave Me A Mountain
10. My Woman, My Woman, My Wife
11. This Much A Man
12. Walking Piece Of Heaven
13. Love Me
14. El Paso City
15. Among My Souvenirs
16. I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)
17. Don't Let Me Touch You
18. Return To Me
19. Some Memories Just Won't Die
20. Honkytonk Man

Customer Reviews:

There willl never be another like him........2006-09-15

I truly believe that Marty Robbins was one of the most talented men ever to walk this good earth. His voice is a wondrous musical instrument that charms and thrills listeners with it's sensitivity and sincerity. That he wrote so much of his output is proof of his god given talent and the sheer variety and versatility he displays are quite astonishing. You can imagine Marty in the studio deliberately recording something entirely different from the previous release knowing that he would wow his wide fan base. There are all kinds of songs on this album sung by a man who loved to sing; you just have to listen to the voice and know this is so. There will NEVER be another like him.

A Fine compilation.......2006-08-24

Here's a good compilation of Marty Robbins' recordings. Beginning with his Do-Wop 1950's Rock-n-Roll sound, to his famous western ballads, and on up to his work on "Honky Tonk Man". All in all, a very good collection, although there are obviously some songs that could've been provided (for instance, where is "The Chair"?). The sound on this 2-CD set is great, no complaints there. Well worth your money and ear. B+

Wonderful Collection!!!!!!!!.......2006-07-18

I can't reccomend this collection enough. The last thing you'll
do is waste your money. The new country cd's are a waste of money. There's only a few songs I don't like on this one. It's
confusing though to have 2 Essential Marty Robbins (One's a Box Set. The other one's not) I have both. I'm only 39 yrs old & I love his music. You won't be dissapointed

Great Album to Remember Marty Robbins.......2006-07-17

A must have for collectors, either early rock and roll or country. Recommend the Marty Robbins Anthology for a good glimpse of a really great singer and song writer.

The Essential Marty Robbins.......2006-07-09

Just what I wanted. When you hear his very early songs you realize just how he matured into such a great artist. Lots of stuff I had not heard before.

Average customer rating: The Essential Artie Shaw As good as I expect Great music, great remastering, bad track order Artie Shaw a Masterpiece!

The Essential Artie Shaw Artie Shaw Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Essential Glenn Miller The Very Best of Benny Goodman The Very Best of Artie Shaw Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey - Ultimate Collection I've Heard That Song Before: Hits of Harry James ASIN: B000A6T2EY Release Date: 2005-08-16

Tracks:

1. Begin the Beguine
2. Special Delivery Stomp
3. Non-Stop Flight
4. Deep Purple
5. Oh, Lady Be Good
6. Scuttlebutt
7. Shoot the Likker to Me, Johnny Boy
8. St. James Infirmary Blues, Pts. 1-2
9. Georgia on My Mind
10. April in Paris
11. Any Old Time
12. All the Things You Are
13. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise
14. Back Bay Shuffle
15. (When Your Heart's on Fire) Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
16. Tabu
17. Blues in the Night
18. Concerto for Clarinet, Pts. 1-2

Tracks:

1. Frenesi
2. Summit Ridge Drive - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra
3. Take Your Shoes Off, Baby
4. It Had to Be You
5. Don't Take Your Love from Me
6. Indian Love Call
7. Dancing in the Dark
8. Deep in a Dream
9. I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me
10. Star Dust
11. Room with a View
12. Temptation
13. Streamline [#][Take]
14. Traffic Jam
15. What Is This Thing Called Love?
16. Yesterdays
17. You're a Lucky Guy
18. Alone Together
19. These Foolish Things
20. Nightmare

Customer Reviews:

The Essential Artie Shaw.......2007-07-05

I was amazed at the clarity and fidelity of this CD. Artie Shaw was and is one of the finest clarinetists of any age. The song selection is great. Highly recommend this album.

As good as I expect.......2007-03-20

Music is fantastic but the recording is not as good as the original music

Great music, great remastering, bad track order.......2006-07-09

First off, the bad...The tracks are not in chronological order, which i don't like. I like to hear the band's progression through the years. Also, the early years had a smaller band, without strings. Later, the band brass/reed section got larger, and he added strings for a lusher sound. If they would have done it chronologically, then you could have 2 discs, one for whichever mood you're in: the early hard swingin' big band, or the later more lush string-laden band. Luckily, i have iTunes and a CD burner.

Now the good. I won't tell you about Artie Shaw. There's a million websites for a history lesson. You are reading this for a review of the CD...not the artist. The re-mastering is probably about as good as they will get this music to sound...or at least with current technology. The bass is deep, but not so much that it drowns out any other instruments or clarity. The high end is very bright, although a tad shrill at times, on the earliest recordings (necessary to avoid losing clarity and fidelity) and the mid range is clear and defined.

NOTE: As another reviever noted, there are a few tracks with some scratchiness to them...but they are in the original acetates, of which some are in better conditions than others. However, it's a fine line to walk when mastering. The more scratchiness the engineers remove, the more clarity you will also remove. I've heard CD's with music as old as the 1920's with NO SCRATCHINESS, but they sound SO DULL as well. No punch. It's like listening to music with cotten in your ears. So, engineers have to pick the line where the level of scratchiness is acceptable to maintain a certain level of clarity. They have certainly done that on this CD set.

If you are a fan, new or old of Swing music, and you want a good sampling of some of the swing kings, these "Essential" ones by Columbia/Legacy/Bluebird are the way to go. They have the best sound, they fit a lot of music on the discs, and aren't very expensive. If the guy you're looking for is not available, try the "Bluebird's Best" series. They are mastered by the same people, and sound great as well. Shy away from the import bootlegs by companies you've never heard of. Sure, they'll give you more for your buck, but without access to the original acetates, they remaster from old 78's, or from other's later LP and CD collections. They just do NOT sound as good. Trust me, i've tried many labels. So stick with the major labels, and (usually), the newer the re-mastering, the better.

Good luck, and keep swingin'!

Artie Shaw a Masterpiece!.......2006-02-24

I had heard Artie Shaw through a collection of big band music that just happened to have one of his hit singles "Frenesi" in it. I was amazed and wanted to hear more of Artie Shaw so I picked up this CD. I was very impressed and Artie Shaw has become my favorite big band leader. There are plenty of songs and all of them are a joy to listen too. Artie Shaw on his clarinet is just amazing, and I really recommend this CD to anyone that likes big band or jazz music in general. Artie Shaw was very unique and one of the best natural musicians of all time. My favorite song might be "Begin the Beguine", it is just beautiful. This CD really does a good job in presenting the best of Artie Shaw and the sound quality is good but I expected a little better since it said it was "Digitally Remastered" but sometimes I like that little fuzz because it adds to the atmosphere.

Average customer rating: Earning five stars because of its profound contribution to popular music Remarkable sound, beware other albums of the same title Boy,the way Glenn Miller played,his songs that made the hit parade! Not essential

The Essential Glenn Miller Glenn Miller Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Essential Artie Shaw The Essential Duke Ellington The Golden Years: 1938-1942 The Very Best of Benny Goodman Tommy Dorsey - Greatest Hits [RCA] ASIN: B0009POI0O Release Date: 2005-06-28

Tracks:

1. In the Mood
2. Tuxedo Junction
3. Serenade in Blue
4. Blueberry Hill
5. (I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo
6. Moon Love
7. Over the Rainbow
8. Stairway to the Stars
9. Little Brown Jug
10. String of Pearls - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
11. Juke Box Saturday Night
12. Woodpecker Song
13. When You Wish Upon a Star
14. Imagination
15. Booglie Wooglie Piggy
16. Moonlight Cocktail
17. Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
18. Blue Rain
19. Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar

Tracks:

1. Pennsylvania 6-5000
2. Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me)
3. Elmer's Tune
4. Chattanooga Choo Choo
5. Story of a Starry Night
6. At Last
7. American Patrol
8. Fools Rush In
9. Nearness of You
10. Blue Orchids
11. Song of the Volga Boatmen
12. Moonlight Serenade
13. Over There - Glenn Miller & the Army Air Force Band, , Glenn Miller
14. St. Louis Blues March - Glenn Miller & the Army Air Force Band, , Glenn Miller
15. Peggy, The Pin-Up Girl - Glenn Miller & the Army Air Force Band, , Glenn Miller
16. Along the Santa Fe Trail - Glenn Miller & the Army Air Force Band, , Glenn Miller
17. Mission to Moscow - Glenn Miller & the Army Air Force Band, , Glenn Miller
18. Medley: Londonderry Air (Danny Boy) /Shoo-Shoo Baby /The Way [New] - Glenn Miller & the Army Air Force Band, , Glenn Miller
19. G.I. Jive - Glenn Miller & the Army Air Force Band, , Glenn Miller

Customer Reviews:

Earning five stars because of its profound contribution to popular music.......2007-06-05

This is probably the best intro CD to Glenn Miller. It is missing some great songs including "Sunrise Serenade" and "Anvil Chorus", which are two of my favourites. For individuals concerned with the sound quality; there are some very unnatural anomalies created due to trying to eliminate the clicks and pops. The anomalies are often very non-musical and distracting. There is a OOP 3 CD set titled "The Popular Recordings (1938-1942)" that I keep going back to as the most natural sounding recordings I have of Glenn. If timbre and tonality matter to you, the 3 CD set may suit your tastes better; but this CD set has more prominent clicks and pops (because they are there and they cannot go away cleanly regardless of modern technology). Also to note, the material covered by the 3 CD set really has a far greater breadth of material.

Remarkable sound, beware other albums of the same title.......2007-02-19

First, don't confuse this 2005 release with the unrelated and vastly inferior 2006 release of the same title. This 2005 album offers more numbers and the best sound I've heard yet on a GM remastered compliation.

I've been buying GM albums since the late 1960s, starting with a vinyl LP compilation that "enhanced" each track with synthesized "stereo" (awful), so I've experienced the steady improvements in sound quality as remastering technology has become more sophisticated. The quality of the sound on this album is a revelation. Except for being in mono, the tracks sound much more recent than 1939-1944. And although the original recordings were made under all kinds of conditions with varying quality of equipment, the remastering produces a consistent sound quality across all tracks. I would dare say that these recordings probably sound even better than fresh-out-of-the-package 78s did back in Miller's heyday, except perhaps on the very best phonographs.

Few people still living today heard GM in person, and the number is rapidly dwindling. RCA's willingness to put this kind of investment into remastering a collection of his music shows that new audiences continue to discover and appreciate that distinctive GM sound.

Boy,the way Glenn Miller played,his songs that made the hit parade!.......2006-03-16

Boy,the way Glenn Miller played,his songs that made the hit parade. Guys like him,they had it made,those were the days! Miller was one of the world's greatest swing music artists in the late 1930's and early 1940's. He had a string of hits such as MOONLIGHT SERENADE,IN THE MOOD,MOONLIGHT SONATA,JUKEBOX SATURDAY NIGHT and THE NEARNESS OF YOU. Miller's career ended early with his untimely death unfortunately. It's amazing to have heard the late Carroll O'Connor mention Miller in the opening line of THOSE WERE THE DAYS,the opening montage theme from the CBS Emmy-winning sitcom All In The Family. Fans of Miller also loved the late Benny Goodman,the late Tommy Dorsey and the late Harry James.

Not essential.......2005-11-24

I own a number Glenn Miller sets like The Complete Recordings (13 CD`s), The Popular Recordings (3 CD's), Essential Glenn Miller (1995), etc.

So, I always enjoy looking over the latest compilation of the great Glenn Miller Orchestra (1938/1942) which seem to be released every few months from somewhere in the world. There is always a number of big hits that are always included (In The Mood, Little Brown Jug, A String of Pearls, Kalamazoo, etc.) and there's always a few songs that are kind of new to the "best of" circuit. Which brings me to the latest, most up-to-date compilation...The Essential Glenn Miller, not to be confused with Essential Glenn Miller from `95.

The sound quality is excellent and perhaps a hair better than the old "Essential" Glenn Miller released in 1995. I can think of a number of great Miller songs that could have made this collection even better. When looking over the running order, I couldn't believe there was NO "Perfidia", NO "Sunrise Serenade". These two songs are on EVERY great Miller collection over the years. I hate to think that new fans might miss out on these great tunes. The 1943/44 material was a nice touch. Giving a better balance to the Miller catalog. Bottom line: Look for the 4 disc Proper Box Set.

Finally, why can't these compilations of old 78's have a few more seconds between them? Essentially we have a bunch of singles all crammed together, so why not let them have some breathing room. As I recall, the UK Beatles albums from 1963-1966 had a seven second break between songs. I loved it! It was like giving each song it's own spotlight. Oh, the days of one song at a time.

Average customer rating: Fantastic compilation...pretty good (not great) sound. Great item for beginners. Essential Duke Ellington despite some critical omissions.

The Essential Duke Ellington Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Essential Louis Armstrong The Essential Glenn Miller The Very Best of Duke Ellington Charlie Parker: A Studio Chronicle 1940-1948 The Very Best of Benny Goodman ASIN: B0009RQSC8 Release Date: 2005-06-28

Tracks:

1. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
2. Black And Tan Fantasy
3. Take It Easy
4. Hot And Bothered
5. The Mooche
6. Rockin' In Rhythm
7. Creole Rhapsody
8. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
9. Creole Love Call
10. Sophisticated Lady
11. Drop Me Off In Harlem
12. Solitude
13. In A Sentimental Mood
14. Back Room Romp
15. Clouds In My Heart
16. Echoes Of Harlem
17. Caravan
18. Blue Reverie
19. Diminuendo In Blue
20. Crescendo In Blue

Tracks:

1. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
2. Pyramid
3. Prelude To A Kiss
4. Tired Socks
5. Mood Indigo
6. Ko-Ko
7. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
8. Cotton Tail
9. Take The 'A' Train
10. Harlem Air-Shaft
11. Do Nothin' Til You Hear From Me
12. Satin Doll
13. Perdido
14. Come Sunday
15. Jeep's Blues
16. Black Beauty
17. Arabesque Cookie

Amazon.com

Duke Ellington recorded for so many labels and went through so many stylistic phases, any attempt to boil down his "essence" will inevitably come up short. So it goes with this two-disc collection. While containing a wealth of gems from Columbia's huge Duke catalog, as well as some early efforts for Brunswick, it does not represent such defining works as the late-'30s/early-'40s songs gathered on RCA's Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band and The Far East Suite, Prestige's Carnegie Hall Concerts, January 1943, Blue Note's supertrio album Money Jungle, and Fantasy's The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse. That said, this 37-song set offers a great ride through the ages, powered by such classics as "Black and Tan Fantasy," "Creole Love Call," "Caravan," "Mood Indigo," "Cotton Tail" and "Come Sunday" featuring such immortal soloists as Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart and the never-to-be-underrated Ellington. Even after all this time, the transcendent genius of "Ko-Ko" still manages to spin you around the room in delight. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic compilation...pretty good (not great) sound........2006-07-31

First, let's talk about the actual music compiled on this set. If one is looking for a good set as an introduction to the WHOLE of Ellington's long career, this is the set to get. Some of Ellington's biggest fans complain that certain songs are missing. Everyone has their favorites, and with only 2 discs, SOME stuff has to be left out. The man recorded for almost 50 years! An equivalent would be assembling a 10-song Beatles Greatest Hits. No matter WHAT the song choice, there would be more 1-star reviews than anything else, from people complaining that stuff was left out.

Here is the problem with most Duke compilations: until very recently, a fairly complete overview of Ellington's ENTIRE career was nearly impossible. In the early days of jazz, many musicians, especially black musicians, got the shaft with recording contracts. Consequently, many would jump ship to other labels to get a better deal. Ellington recorded for over a dozen different labels. Well, nearly all of those labels became defunct, and were later absorbed by bigger companies. So, in order to get an Ellington compilation that's somewhat complete, you would have to buy something from Sony/Columbia/Legacy and another from BMG/RCA. Those two companies owned the vast bulk of Ellingtonia. Well, in late 2004, Sony acquired distribution of the BMG catalog. Which means Sony controls nearly all of Ellington's output. As far as i know, this is the only CD collection out there of this post-merger thing that CAN condense nearly his whole career into a comprehensive set (without buying one of those dubious sounding bootlegs out there, imported from other countries...RUN from the Proper UK box set).

Ok, now on to the SOUND of the music. When compiling and remastering music from the pre-tape era (everything up until the late '40's), engineers need to combat surface noise (distortion, clicks, pops, hiss). Generally, the older the recording, the more surface noise on the original master. The worse the surface noise, the more distracting it is while listening to the music. However, as you remove surface noise, you also lose a little bit of the clarity and "airiness" to the music. So, engineers have to walk a fine line between making the music sound tolerable by removing noise, but not take off too much, so as to lose the punch & clarity to the music. In the early CD era, they failed miserably. In the last 5 or 6 years, nearly all results have been good, but some better than others.

So, on to this collection. The tracks on this collection certainly have less surface noise than any other Ellington collection i've heard. And although they've done a pretty good job maintaining much of the musical integrity, i believe the sound has been a little over-reduced. A little too much of the clarity is lost. If you weren't comparing it (which i was doing) to other semi-recent collections, you may not notice the difference. So, yes, there is very little noise, but the music sounds a tad too rounded, and not as vibrant. Also, this set has deepened the bass some, but it seems a little unnatural, and takes away from a tad of the clarity of the bottom end of the music.

Maybe some of the difference in sound from different compilations also comes from this: In the liner notes to this collection, it says that songs have been remastered from 78's from private collections. Nowhere does it mention "original masters/parts" or anything like that. However, on a couple box sets that came out around 2000 from BMG & Columbia, it is indicated that THOSE were remastered from orginal metal & glass parts & some early safety tests. Good quality 78's should have less surface noise than the original parts, but slightly less clarity, as they are at least one generation removed from the masters.

My personal alternative is the two collections that RCA & Columbia put out around 2000 (Highlights from the Centennial Edition & The Duke On Columbia, respectively). They were each 3 discs, with no duplicating tracks (although a small handful of the songs are the same, they were recorded at different times, so the arrangements are different). They have a hair more surface noise, but the clarity is a bit higher than with Essential Ellingon. These are the ones that were remastered from the original parts.

NOTE: In one or two song cases, such as Creole Rhapsody, there is SO much noise, that it is unlistenable to me. On the Centennial Edition, there is so much crackling, i can't even listen to it. On the Essential, most of the noise has been removed, but greatly at the expense of the music. It sounds like listening to the song with your fingers in your ears.

So, here's the thing. If you really do want a small collection spanning his entire career, do not hesitate in buying this one. Essential Ellington is definitely the one to get...for that purpose. The sound is very good, and the selections are pretty comprehensive. However, if you want to expand your listening, go with those two 3 disc sets i wrote about above. They have the edge in clarity and punch (and give you more Ellington). Get them on here or Half.com used, and you'll save.

Great item for beginners........2006-05-05

If you don?t know Ellington?s music this is great way. There are almost all periods of his great career and this cd is result of unity of Sony and BMG. This means that on this cd is music from two grat labels on which Ellington recorded his greatest music - RCA Victor and Columbia. Highly recommend.

Essential Duke Ellington despite some critical omissions........2005-06-29

Recently released from Sony Music is "The Essential Duke Ellington", a comprehensive double-CD overview of the immortal jazz music pioneer.
Contained in this retrospective is nearly every important piece of work from the Duke including the original recordings of "East St.Louis Toodle-oo", "Black and Tan Fantasy", "It Don't Mean A Thing", "Cotton Tail", "Take The 'A' Train", "Satin Doll", "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and the list goes on.
The sound quality and remastering is amazing especially on the early recordings which were taken from old 78's. The CD booklet includes detailed session information as well as a short two-page essay and a few historic photos.
Although this is a great overview of Duke Ellington's essential work, there are a few classic Ellington staples which are questionably missing from this collection. Standards such as "C-Jam Blues", "Things Ain't What They Used To Be", "Dancers in Love" and "I'm Beginning To See The Light" are nowhere to be found here which many raise some eyebrows amongst die-hard Ellington afficianados. Which each of the two CDs running between 64 and 67 minutes apiece, there shouldn't been any problem in fitting these missing gems onto this collection.
Despite this, "The Essential Duke Ellington" is an awesome and historic collection and is an excellent introduction to the man and his music. After this, one should check out the many other masterworks of this important and monumental figure in music history.

Dance Music:

1. Forever: Rich Thugs, Book One [Explicit Lyrics]
2. Full Clip: Decade of Gang Starr [Import]
3. Gangsta Hip Hop, Vol. 2 [Import]
4. Gangsta Hip Hop, Vol. 4 [Import]
5. Get Down Pt.1 [CD-single] [Import]
6. Get Down Pt.2 [CD-single] [Import]
7. Ghetto Ridin' [Explicit Lyrics]
8. Greetings from the Welfare State
9. Hits
10. I Am: the Autobiography [Extra tracks] [Import]

Dance Music

dance music

Dance Music

Untune the Sky

Classical Flight

Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas

Vox [Import]

Doublehearted [Import]

Burlap Palace: A Tribute to the Muscle Shoals Sound

Divine Miss M [Original recording remastered]

C.P.E. Bach: Organ Concertos

Destinazione Paradiso

Bendetto Marcello: Arianna [Box set]

Close Your Eyes

Buttercup

Canta Roberto Flores: En El Recuerdo [Import]

The Wurst of P.D.Q. Bach

The Best of the Big Bands