VA - Legends of the Blues, volume One

This CD serves as a perfect introduction to pre-war blues for the novice since it contains fine examples of the music of 20 blues artists: Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Willie Johnson, Bo Carter, Blind Willie McTell, Lonnie Johnson, Charley Patton, Leroy Carr, Josh White, Leadbelly, Peetie Wheatstraw, Robert Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller, Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Minnie, Bukka White, Muddy Waters, Big Joe Williams and Son House. Four selections are from the '20s, Son House's "Death Letter" is from 1965, and otherwise the music dates from 1931-1947. The who's who roster includes practically every early great (Tampa Red is missing but Washboard Sam and the first Sonny Boy Williamson appear as sidemen) and, with nine previously unreleased selections (both alternate takes and "new" performances), this CD is an essential purchase for both beginning and veteran collectors alike. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide


01. St. Louis Blues - Bessie Smith
02. Match Box Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson
03. Ain't No Tellin' - Mississippi John Hurt
04. Lord, I Just Can't Keep from Crying - Blind Willie Johnson
05. Pig Meat Is What I Crave - Bo Carter
06. Southern Can Is Mine - Blind Willie McTell
07. Low Down St. Louis Blues - Lonnie Johnson
08. Revenue Man Blues - Charley Patton
09. Stormy Night Blues - Leroy Carr
10. I Believe I'll Make a Change - Josh White
11. Fort Worth and Dallas Blues - Leadbelly
12. Sweet Home Blues - Peetie Wheatstraw
13. Stop Breakin' Down Blues - Robert Johnson
14. Truckin' My Blues Away, No. 2 - Blind Boy Fuller
15. Spreadin' Snake Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
16. Nothing in Rambling - Memphis Minnie
17. Fixin' to Die Blues - Bukka White
18. Hard Day Blues - Muddy Waters
19. Don't You Leave Me Here - Big Joe Williams
20. Death Letter - Son House

hotjazzandcoolblues
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Stuff Smith, Stephane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen and Jean Luc-Ponty: Violin Summit

Violin Summit featured Stuff Smith, Stephane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen and Jean Luc-Ponty (with pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, drummer Alex Riel) in concert (September 30, 1966). The music came off quite well, in large part probably because the four violinists were paired in different sets with all four actually featured together on only one take, "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing." ~ Bob Rusch, Cadence, All Music Guide



Summit Soul
Pent-Up House
Timmie's Blues
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
Pennies from Heaven
Only Time Will Tell
Hot Toddy

line-up:

Jean-Luc Ponty - Violin
Stéphane Grappelli - Violin
Svend Asmussen - Violin
Stuff Smith - Violin
Kenny Drew - Piano
Niels-Henning Pedersen - Bass
Alex Riel - Drums

hotjazzandcoolblues

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Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra 1936-38: Heart Full of Rhythm

Recopilación de algunos de los mejores registros Decca de la segunda mitad de los años 30, incluyendo clásicos como "On The Sunny Side of the Street" y "Struttin' With Some Barbecue", y dos versiones sensacionales de "Swing That Music". El acompañamiento corre a cargo de la Orquesta de Louis Russell y Jimmy Dorsey, entre otros.

Some of Louis Armstrong's better Decca recordings from the 1936-1938 period are reissued on this CD. Inferior to the much more "complete" series undertaken by the European Classics label, this set nevertheless does have some classics from Satchmo including two versions of "Swing That Music," a remake of "Mahogany Hall Stomp," "Once in a While," "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Jubilee," and "Struttin' With Some Barbeque." The backup band (the remains of Luis Russell's Orchestra) does not have a great deal to do, although trombonist J.C. Higginbottham gets in a few good solos. But this is largely Armstrong's show (both instrumentally and vocally) and he comes up with some masterful statements. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

01. I Come from a Musical Family
02. Somebody Stole My Heart
03. If We Never Meet Again
04. Lyin' to Myself
05. Ev'ntide
06. Swing That Music
07. Mahogany Hall Stomp
08. Skeleton in the Closet
09. Dippermouth Blues
10. Swing That Music
11. Public Melody Number One
12. Yours and Mine
13. Alexander's Ragtime Band
14. I've Got a Heart Full of Rhythm
15. Sun Showers
16. Once in a While
17. On the Sunny Side of the Street
18. Satchel Mouth Swing
19. Jubilee
20. Struttin' With Some Barbecue

hotjazzandcoolblues

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Jay Bee Rodríguez's
Some Hot Blues Harp:
"Swing That Music"
on You Tube