Customer Reviews

The Cosimo Matassa Story

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

THIS OUTSTANDING RELEASE COVERS THE MUSIC THAT CAME OUT OF THE COSIMO MATASSA STUDIOS, NEW ORLEANS IN THE 50'S. A TOTAL OF 120 TRACKS, GREAT SOUND,GREAT 40PAGE BOOKLET WITH FULL RECORDING DETAILS,AND A GREAT PRICE.
LEGENDS LIKE FATS DOMINO,LITTLE RICHARD,GUITAR SLIM,SMILEY LEWIS ARE INCLUDED, BUT DO NOT DOMINATE THE TRACK LISTING--THIS IS NOT A RECYCLING RELEASE--INCLUDED ARE OUSTANDING SOUNDS FROM PEE WEE CRAYTON,BOBBY CHARLES,EARL KING,AND MANY MORE LESSER KNOWN PERFORMERS.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE HISTORIC MUSIC THAT CAME OUT NEW ORLEANS IN THE 50'S, YOU WILL LOVE THIS RELEASE.HIGHLY RECOMENDED.

I know Cosimo and his family, and I am honored to have met a true American musical genius. Cosimo broke down the barriers between white and "race" records at a time when even musicians' unions were segregated. The liner notes are thorough (although I confess I was too busy listening to the music to read every word). There are some omissions here, probably due to rights issues: "Mother-In-Law" "Sea Cruise", "Land of A 1,000 Dances" and 'Barefootin' "are MIA here. But really no matter, since they are widely available. I would rather have some of the early 50's gems presented here since they are almost impossible to find anywhere else.

This could be used as a textbook for a course in New Orleans R&B. It'll be in "heavy rotation" on my iTunes now!

I have never heard of this guy before but the artists on this box set are familiar names in Pop Music history. An outstanding selection of Nawlins Jump, Doowop & R&B. An Informative, illustrated booklet is included in the new slimline proper box with card CD sleeves. With 120 tracks of high quality recordings this is unbeatable value

I bought this when it was first released - in fact I had been waiting to get it ever since I heard the title. I have long been a fan of New Orleans R&B so was very aware of just who Cosimo is. This is an essential box set for anyone into great music. This stuff is timeless. Even for someone like me, who had a lot of this material already, it is so filled with hard to find songs that even if you had 3/4 of this stuff, you'd still want it. And these songs are great to hear anytime.

Fans of the recent Alison Krauss/Robert Plant will want to hear the original version of Rich Woman (by Li'l Millett & His Creoles - love that name), but really, there's not a bad track in this set.

********** TEN STARS!!!!

Hello.I have been a record collector(mostly RR RB and Blues) for the better part of 35 years so I was familliar with Cosimo Matassas' J & M Studios output. This collecttion is mind-blowing. It has many obsure local N.O.cuts along with with a few RR and R&B Giants.The contents of this CD cannot be overstated.It is American Classic(al) music at it best.Thank goodness for the English/German/Swedish keepers of American musical culture.Absolute
must have collection.

If you grew up in or around New Orleans, frequented the clubs or listened to the radio stations from the 50's to 70's this will bring back many good memories.

A must have if you enjoy the genre and period of music from NOLA.

If you want to check some of the music out, listen to WWOZ, a local New Orleans public radio station.

[...]

The music in this collection is essential to understanding the evolution of music in the last half of the 20th century. You can hear the development from swing and jump to early rock & roll to New Orleans R&B. Besides, this stuff is so much fun to listen to.

It's a little sad that the studio where all of this was recorded is now a laundromat.

All the Proper box sets are worth every dime. Each not only has 4 discs of essential music, they all have a book insert with most detailed history, photos and credits. I'm not quite sure how they do it! This one in particular is essential. New Orleans early R & B is some of the most interesting music to be created within the United States and this is the cream.

Jim Linderman "Dull Tool Dim Bulb" Take Me to the Water: Immersion Baptism in Vintage Music and Photography 1890-1950

Cosimo Matassa was deeply involved in the roots of Rock and Roll. This compilation is an excellent reflection of his contributions. He should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame.

One of the best boxed sets EVER. Amazing songs, the best of the best artists from the beginning of rock and roll. I cant stop listening to it over and over. Amazing stuff on this.