Gene Krupa Story [Box Set] [Box set, Import]

Gene Krupa & His Orchestra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 18, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Proper Box UK
• ASIN: B00000JP7P
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,533 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #48 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. I Hope Gabriels Likes My Music

2. Swing Is Here

3. Grandfather's Clock

4. I Know That You Know

5. Fare Thee Well, Annie Laurie

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Babe Takes A Bow

2. Rhumboogie

3. I Hear Music

4. How About That Mess

5. Full Dress Hop

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Knock Me A Kiss

2. That Drummer's Band

3. Massachusetts

4. 'Murder', He Says

5. Leave Us Leap

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Blue Moon

2. Leave Us Leap

3. Moontide

4. Indiana

5. Begin The Beguine

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Gene Krupa attained a level of fame unmatched by any other drummer in jazz history. His performances of "Sing, Sing, Sing" with the Benny Goodman band epitomized the raw excitement of jazz in the swing era, and his subsequent celebrity, further fuelled by a 1943 arrest for marijuana possession, even led to a 1960 biopic, The Gene Krupa Story, starring Sal Mineo. This four-CD set concentrates on the decade from 1938 to 1947, providing tremendous depth on a period when Krupa was leading one of the most innovative and popular big bands of the era. Although it's budget-priced, the set has sound, selection, and documentation created using very high standards indeed. The first three CDs follow the studio evolution of Krupa's bands, while the fourth is devoted to live broadcasts from 1945 to '47. The impact of his energetic drumming is evident throughout, both in his frequent features, like "Wire-brush Stomp," and in the band's rocking covers of such tunes as "Tuxedo Junction."

The greatest moments, though, come from his inspired choice of associates, with singer Anita O'Day and the great trumpeter Roy Eldridge matching the leader's spontaneity on hits like "Drop Me Off Uptown" and "Drum Boogie." Even the ballads swing--O'Day's band debut on "Georgia on My Mind" is superb--and Krupa's drive is sufficient to propel even the large 1944 group with strings. His talents with a small group are on display in his "band within a band," the trio with tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura that's heard on such tracks as "Dark Eyes" and "Stompin' at the Savoy." Krupa was also one of the first big-band leaders to respond to bebop, including vocalist Dave Lambert, trumpeter Red Rodney, and the young Gerry Mulligan in his band's ranks. The fourth CD shows Krupa at his most energetic, providing further perspectives on both "the band that swings with strings" and a great bandleader in the transition from swing to bop. --Stuart Broomer

Product Description

Four disc retrospective of the legendary jazz drummer's output as a bandleader. Nearly five hours long in total, it contains three discs with studio tracks & one comprised of live performances & transcriptions. Also contains a 32 page booklet with a full discography, recording dates, personnel details for all of the enclosed works, extensive liner notes and loads of great photos. 99 tracks total. Comes packaged in a sturdy 2 x 5 x 6inch cardboard box. 1998.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Comprehensive Krupa Set!, September 3, 2003

By 

F. Barton "Forrest W. Barton" (Newport, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gene Krupa Story [Box Set] (Audio CD)

Though there are many Krupa albums, after his big band days, this four CD set, concentrates on his big band days. Tremendous performances and vocals by Anita O'Day!!

Though true fans of Gene Krupa have to purchase all the Benny Goodman recordings he did, and especially his '38 immortal Carnegie Hall concert, which contains Krupa's immortal 14 minute "Sing, Sing, Sing." That song is the only one that is not contained on this release, but every other one is!! Just take a quick look at other big band era releases of Krupa and you will find many have very few songs, or even those which have full CDs, none can compare to this set. "Stop! The Green Light's On", with its Roy and Anita contributions is on very few compilations, yet it's here!! The fourth CD, contains live and radio transcriptions which sound tremendous and are perhaps, the most energetic of all the CDs. Also these radio recordings are in incredible fidelity, and I do not see the titles elsewhere. His version of "Rhumboogie" is the best, as his tremendous cover of "Begin the Beguine", which uses Ray's trumpet as the melody, instead of the clarinet......inspired, and original, but what else from Mr. Krupa??

There are a few sound problems, as some tracks sound much better than others, and even a few tracks start out great, but the sound deteriorates within the selection itself. But, since there is NO other comprehensive Big Band Krupa set on the market, you cannot go wrong with this one. While Gene may not have had those titles that you automatically identify with other top bandleaders of the day, after just one listening to this fantastic set, you WILL wonder why!!

Tremendous packaging, beautiful, and the cost is so low. This is one set you cannot pass up. Of course Gene Krupa went on to many other great recordings, past his Big Band Days, they were on different labels, and I would rather this FOUR CD set, just concentrating on his '39-'46 recordings. For his Verve albums, they are in print in their entirety. This is the BEST release of one of the truly great Big Band leaders..............and the BEST drummer in history...........Mr. Gene Krupa!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a microcosm of wonderful jazz-to-swing evolution..., March 1, 2007

By 

Peter Hillman "(budding enthusiast)" (CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gene Krupa Story [Box Set] (Audio CD)

...is presented by this splendid four-disc set. Disc One heralds the formation of Krupa's own band and the early numbers are hot and jazzy, up-tempo, pure instrumental, soloists strutting thier stuff and Krupa letting folks know this is not going to be a "one man band." Nothing revolutionary about the jazz but the tunes are great.

Next, he experiments with singers, at first just for a few refrains--until he connects with Anita O'Day. Then things absolutely sizzle and skyrocket!

O'Day appears throughout most of Discs Two and Three and in my opinion these numbers mark the high-water point for Krupa's band. O'Day seemingly never met a song she couldn't wrap into her own distinctive style. She's no vibrato, but her terrific inflection may have been exceeded only by Billie Holiday. Here's O'Day with Eldredge on "Drop Me Off Uptown"; O'Day with "Stop! The Red Light's on"; a softer "And Her tears Flowed Like Wine," almost ominously foreshadowing her future.

She leaves and the band is rudderless. They've moved into swing and beyond just having any old "girl singer" but no one, not even a good vibrato, can meld with the band as one unit like O'Day could.

The latter part of Disc Three reveals a bit of a struggle post-O'Day. Disc Four is all live recordings, which to me couldn't compare to all of the studio numbers on Discs One-Three. From what I've read, half of the thrill with Krupa was seeing him sweat, sweat, sweat and kick it up live, live--so I wasn't surprised that the recorded live numbers seemed just OK

So this to me is an exciting microcosm of a lot of what happened to the music in general during these years--from beginning the then-"hot thing" of jazz, through youthful enthusiasm, to swing and mature experimentation (blending O'Day with exuberant instruments), settling into the comfortable but struggling final chapters.

Which is not to say it's not worth getting--it most definitely is. With a few exceptions (e.g., "Massachusetts") the sound is great. As with other four-disc sets in this fabulous collection (e.g., Roy Eldredge, Lester Young Stories), the extensive liner commentaries and personnel notes are extremely revealing and informative.

But most important, I'll wager you'll find yourself playing Discs Two and Three over and over, closing your eyes and easily imagining what it must have been like to see and dance live to the Krupa/O'Day band. At this price, that thrill can't be beat!

5.0 out of 5 stars Gene Krupa - a special guy, October 28, 2011

By 

m.a.b. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gene Krupa Story [Box Set] (Audio CD)

I love music and I love to be entertained. Gene Krupa was quite the entertainer beyond the fantastic drumming. As we are all aware, fame has huge costs. He married his wife twice - now that's really working at true love. He shared his experience and talent with students. And very sadly he died of leukemia at age 63. I love listening to and watching this fella perform. Enjoy :)