Customer Reviews

Complete Fifties Studio Recordings

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If all you got on this album was "Coast Concert", with the great remastering job done on this version, you would have a bargain. Featuring two of the greatest trombonists ever in Jack Teagarden and Abe Lincoln; add the precise, brilliant trumpet of Bobby Hackett;throw in the always-lively clarinet of Matty Matlock; and you have the makings for a GREAT jazz jam session. In addition, ONLY THIS VERSION has a bonus track, St. James Infirmary (a rare version featuring a wonderful Teagarden vocal). If all that isn't enough, 1957's "Jazz Ultimate" follows up featuring Jack T., Bobby H., and the great Peanuts Hucko on the licorice stick. Finally, you get 2 different takes of "Indiana" and "55th and Broadway". In my humble opinion, Teagarden was at his very best from 1953-1958, not that he has a worst era. His smooth, innovative style is unmatched before or since. Teagarden, Hackett, Lincoln, Matlock, Hucko, Ernie Caceres, Nick Fatool, etc., all play realaxed and blend at times raising goosebumps. It was obvious they all respected and enjoyed each other's company. Very awesome traditional jazz/blues.

Warm jazz from Jack T on these 2 complete LP's he cut with Bobby Hackett and with His Jazz Band..The Coast Concert
and Jazz Ultimate...
I see Collector's choice has a compilation of these two but this edition has sparkling sound and an alternative take of Indiana and 55th and Broadway..
These European imports boasts great sound and there is a small shot of the original album covers and liner notes with the CD clocking in over 78 minutes.
As to the music, those who enjoy the music played by Louis Armstrong All Stars will surely be happy since Jack T was an all star..highly upbeat and happy..

I bought (in the UK) the 10 inch Coast Concert LP in 1956. Many years later, it was re-issued as a 12 incher with an additional track - then came the CD which included both the 1955 and 1957 albums. Then came this beauty adding yet another track to Coast Concert and alternates of two of the tracks on the '57 album. Each new addition, after listening to these tracks for years, had been a thrilling moment.
I have now owned Coast Concert for over half a century - everytime I play it to someone new they go out and buy it.
Why is it the greatest post war recording of its type (comparable with the pre war Hot Fives & Sevens) - well, apart from the fact that it involves some of the greatest exponents of all time in their field, I believe that a big contributing factor was that the session took place through the night from 5.00pm to 5.00am (october 18/19 1955 I believe)
- perhaps all jazz should be recorded like this. The second album is almost as good, but Coast Concert is, quite simply, magnificent. Of all the things I will regret not being able to take with me when I shuffle off the mortal coil, this will be very high on the list. I am sure that anyone who loves this kind of music will not regret getting this CD, but simply be sorry about the years they were without it.