Customer Reviews

Artie Shaw Story

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was so impressed with this economically priced 4 CD set I bought a second copy just for my car stereo. It covers just about the entire spectrum of Artie Shaw's most popular music including great vocal renditions like those from Billie Holliday, Helen Forrest and Mel Torme with his Mel Tones. The enclosed autobiography booklet itself with it's descriptive photos, most I which I have never seen before are worth the CD price itself.
Artie Shaw was a genius of the clarinet, not in any way to knock his competitors like Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey and Woody Herman who also played just great.
Shaw however in my opinion had the most descriptive style of playing with utmost perfection in the upper register of the instrument, and an orchestra featuring a string band section,
which only enhanced his already distinctive performances.
A great buy for any Artie Shaw fan of this talented musician.
As complex in life as he was, he left a great legacy for those who can still enjoy the Big Band era like myself. Vale Artie, you were the greatest.

Artie Shaw's is my favorite big band, especially the years with Helen Forrest. Like another reviewer I ended up buying a second set, but in my case, because I misplaced the first set (since found). Well worth it even at double the price.

This is a superb collection of most of the clarinet masters finest recordings. It covers the full range of his remarkable career. It's also significant as an historical musical document. The sound quality of the CD is quite good. The only thing disappointing is the fact that there are relatively few selections from his 1953 and 1954 recordings, which arguably were his best.