Customer Reviews

Ken Burns Jazz: The Story of American Music

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Along with a number of other jazz fans and critics, I've been looking forward to the Ken Burns Jazz video history with mixed emotions, given that what has already been issued--the book in particular--seemed to lack a basic understanding of the art form's most-recent half-century. Although there is some evidence of that stance here, the sheer abundance of classic tracks on this five-CD set makes it an excellent introduction to the art form, particularly for newcomers. Absorb this box, and you are well on your way to experiencing the width and depth of this ever-evolving art form, one that at its best values both teamwork and individuality.

What I like about this set is that with five-CDs, there is room to give a number of important events in jazz history a bit more play than just a cameo appearance. For instance, Louis Armstrong's 1920s classic hot 5/hot 7 recordings are represented by three key tracks. With 2-3 examples of such creative peaks, one can better discern the unique qualities of each artist. With multiple chances to listen, one can become more familiar with a player's sound...the consistencies and variances in a player's solo approach become increasingly apparent when comparisons can be made.

Other early greats are similiarly documented, from Ellington, Basie, Goodman, and Billie Holiday up through the late-1940s bebop revolution (Monk, Parker, Gillespie, Powell, Davis, etc.). The one negative about this set is that, after bebop, there isn't enough room left in the box to continue this comparison process. Thus, only two artists (Ellington and Davis) out of jazz's most recent half-century get more than one track per creative peak each..and at least in Miles' case, the two successive tracks are nearly bookends to a extended, rapidly evolving period of creativity.

Even so, there is at least a taste of the avant-garde, fusion, pop jazz, bossa nova, neo-classicism, etc., so recent events are not entirely ignored, just given relatively brief exposure. Add that to the excellent overview of jazz's up-and-coming decades, and this set overall serves a valuable purpose, particularly for those who wonder what jazz is ALL about.

I agree with everyone. Ken Burns missed so much in his documentary. This CD set is missing so much. But then did he make this documentary for us egghead jazz lovers who have multiple copies of every record that was played and talked about on the show. Copies so worn out from listening that we had to buy new ones. Music that we could name in two notes because we have listened to so much jazz. Film clips we have seen a hundred times because we never miss a chance to look at jazz as well as listen to it. I don't think he made the show for us. I think he made the show for about 259 million other people in America who never listen to jazz and are scared to death of it. People who don't begin to know what they are missing. Jazz afficiandos can be such snobs and snot heads. Jazz belongs to everyone and others deserve a door to the secret. This is a great door. If I was wanting to find a way into this wonderful and beautiful world, I think this set is a good place to start. Welcome everyone. Once you are in there is no way out. There is to much to hear. Too much too know. Too much excitement to ever get bored. Jazz is.

This is a wonderful 5-disc set of the history of jazz music. In fact, I listened to it all in one sitting, and I can say as an introduction for those uninitiated in the ways of jazz, this is a superb collection. However, it is by no means thorough. I suppose you might expect this from an introduction, but I was somewhat surprised to see its extensive inclusion of Ellington, Davis and especially Armstrong at the expense of some rather less well known artists. Alloting to the great Django Reinhardt a single track seems a crime. Even so, it's a good listen. As my dear friend says, a true jazz afficianado is never satisfied.

I received this boxed set as a Christmas gift from a good friend of mine who knows that I love jazz. The five CDs are a wonderful representation of the history of jazz, from its beginnings just after the turn of the century, to contemporary greats. Featuring the music of legends like Dizzie Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Wynton Marsalis, Benny Goodman, and countless others, it's well compiled and well published. If however, you're already a jazz fan, and have particular likes and favorites, then you might be better off buying a more specified box set. Personally, though, I was thrilled with the gift, even if it didn't particularly highlight favorites of mine such as Ella Fitzgerald and Antonio Carlos Jobim. It's a great choice for seasoned jazz fans, or perhaps for someone who is interested in learning more about jazz. A great starter set! I'm very much looking forward to the series on PBS.

Leave it to Ken Burns to compile a "history" of America's music ! THis CD set traces the roots of Jazz from it's beginnings and greatness (Sachmo, The Duke) to current masters ! The evolution of Jazz mirrors the history of the U.S. from it's early beginnings in the 1900's to the constantly changing music of today's Jazz. Ths sound quality is excellent and the enclosed bookelt is very informative. I would also highy like to recommend the Ken Burns book Jazz as it makes a great companion to the music. Beg or borrow this CD set, it is amazing, only regret is that it's only 5 CD's !! Can you say Volume 2 !!

It's between this set and The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz. Both demonstrate a keen awareness of the "canon" of 20th-century jazz recordings and artists, so let price and personal preference be your guides.

Burns has included all of the "indispensables" to insure a comprehensive, meaningful jazz education--recordings like Louis' "West End Blues," Hawk's "Body and Soul," Bird's "Embraceable You," and Miles' "So What." Moreover, the five most important, influential musicians of all--Armstrong, Ellington, Parker, Coltrane, and Miles--are well represented.

Yet some disappointments are inevitable. Along with Coltrane, the most influential solo voice of the last half of the century was that of Bill Evans. Yet his trio, with its revolutionary approach to voicings and the role of bass and drums, is not represented. Nor is the greatest "one-man-show" in the history of jazz--pianist Erroll Garner--whose incredible "Concert by the Sea" album demands a place in every credible collection. And how can you exclude two other pianists, both living legends--the prodigiously-gifted Oscar Peterson and the sublimely imaginative Ahmad Jamal? Omissions like these seem all the more glaring when among the inclusions is Grover Washington.

Nonetheless, there's no way to go wrong with this collection, providing you don't stop here.

This boxed set is a "must have" for every collector, because of its wonderful sound. It seems to me that engineers transferred these classic recordings to disk in a way that gives them more clarity and definition. That being said, as other reviewers have noted, much of the collection is not representative.

Understandably, there is too much Ellington. Burns is a filmmaker not historian, obsessed with Ellington, who, like himself, was a better empressario than musician. Ellington hired and co-opted the ideas of outstanding musicians, composers, orchestrators, and arrangers.

I am disappointed that the Goodman rendition of Sing, Sing, Sing is not the widely-hailed best "jazz record of all time" 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert version.

For jazz aficionados like myself, these are quibbles. And kudos for Burns, who undertook such a media project and produced this affordably-priced boxed set that may even bring jazz back into the consciousness of mainstream America.

An excellent introduction to a music which is slowly becoming lost. No major review of anything is perfect, and I have yet to see any collection that presents itself as a general review be as complete as this collection.

Those looking for an overview will have it all in one and those interested in going deeper will have a place to start.

As a huge fan of jazz, I have come to appreciate the exciting turns the music has been taking lately. The Trio members (Redman, Blade and McBride), St. Germain, Diana Krall and others are breathing new life and vitality into jazz (after some watered-down, commercial late 80s and early 90s efforts). This box set is amazing at pulling key recordings from jazz's early history, but the recent music is severely lacking. The fact that Louis Armstrong, a jazz pioneer, is on CD #5 (the most recent disc) says that they needed to either add a 6th contemporary CD, or cut back on early jazz. Fortunately, discs 1-4 are perfect and even disc 5 has it's great moments. Also, the CDs are well packaged, they sound crisp, and the booklet is very informative.

As a new listener of jazz I found this box set encouraging and helpful in determining what artists and styles that I like. It is a great overview of jazz from the 1920s to the 1990s. The set is very interesting and has some selections everyone will enjoy. The liner notes are useful and have a complete listing of every artist performing on each track. Having the set in chronological order helps the listener follow the progression of jazz styles throughout the past century. With comprehensive collections such as this it is hard to please everyone. But, this box set is sure to please any inexperienced collector or someone with a general interest in jazz.