2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Finest Collection of Johnson's Work, May 31, 2010
ASV's Living Era collection of James P. Johnson is a masterful series of 25 solo, duo, quartet, septet and octet tracks in chronological order from 1929 to 1949 with the high audio standard of ASV recordings. The collection begins with Johnson on piano and Edddie Dougherty on drums performing Carolina Shout. On other ensemble tracks Johnson is joined by musicians including Bessie Smith, Cootie Williams, Ethel Waters, Pee Wee Russell, Red Allen, Fats Waller, Dickey Wells, J.C. Higginbotham, Sid Calett, Vic Dickenson, Ben Webster, Sidney Bechet and others. The sound is very fine and one would need to purchase quite a number of hard to find recordings to gather all these tracks. All in all, the greatest overview of Johnson's solo and small group work.
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