Customer Reviews

Hamp: The Legendary Decca Recordings

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Hamp's first and IMHO best big bands were on Decca. This generous helping features some wild showy performances, my favorite being Dizzy Gillespi and Arnett Cobb blowing the Red Top roof off. Amongst the hot big band charts, there is a nice sprinkling of smaller group recordings, including an amazing 15 workout on "Stardust".

The excitement level drops somewhat on the second disk (hence only 4 stars), but each disk has over one hour; the 90 min. description (also on the jacket) is incorrect.

The sound quality is quite good; Decca seemed to be one of the best American labels at preserving the heritage. Too bad they cut back on their efforts (how could they cease distributing this and other vital music?). For you swing band fans, you should also persue Spinnin' the Webb and Tidal Wave lest they should disappear as well. And for the cream of Lionel Hampton's career, the late 30's Bluebird recordings like Hot Mallets, Vol. 1 and/or All Star Sessions: Hot Mallets, Vol. 2 are absolutely worth persuing.

I have an old 33 record with Lionel Hampton from a concert in 1947 - Stardust. For me this is music on the topp with Lionel Hampton in the lead introducing several good players. In our digital world a 33 record does not fit in and I was happy when I discoverd that the Legendary Decca Recordings of Lionel Hampton contained this titel. It contains 2 CD's with lovely music. It is a pitty that the 2 last title on the 1'st CD is corrupt.I have not been able to listen to "Tempo's Birthday" and "Jack The Fox Boogie". Still - It is a very good collection of masterpieces from Lionel Hampton.

I enjoyed this compilation since I purchased free or so @ JAZZ Heritage (off on the website jazzheritage.com). I finished this 2-CD set in about 2 days right I picked this up from the mailbox. This marks my 1st time as a lover the late jazz vibraphonist/pianist/instrumentalist Lionel Hampton. I used to heard of him be4 while seeing on discographies from the Benny Goodman Quartet, Louis Armstrong, Quincy Jones, among others.

Boy he was such a genius. Can't say enuff 'bout him. He was the best I mean the baddest dude ever that ever created the sound from the future of all vibra players: Roy Ayers, Dave Samuels (formerly of Spyro Gyra and now w/ the Carribbean Jazz Quartet or Quintet), Stefon Harris, just to name a few.

All of his songs on this 2-disc set are incredible and phenomenal, y'feel me? This goes to say thank you Lionel for putting out good music just like my role model Quincy Jones put out alot of everything from as a musician, a composer, a arranger, a producer, an entrepreneur, you name it. He's still the man. I still have his book if u wanna check it out. It's Q: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF QUINCY JONES and check out his compilation w/ the same title in a different name Q: THE MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY OF QUINCY JONES. Rest in peace, Mr. Lionel Hampton, your music and legacy still lives on between us. God bless your soul and your talent. Wish u was here.