Customer Reviews

Porgy And Bess (1956 Studio Cast)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

When I discovered that this great Jazz classic had been released on CD, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven! I have the original vinyl, but no turntable, and was certain that I'd never hear it again, so I am a very happy camper.
I have seen criticisms of the narration by Al (Jazzbo) Collins which is laid back and understated, which in my opinion is entirely appropriate.
Certain critics have questioned the selection of Mel Torme and Francis Faye as Porgy & Bess, but I think they just don't get it. (This is JAZZ opera). They were both wonderful. Especially Frances Faye whose passionate rendition of "I Loves You Porgy" almost makes one forget her raunchy night club act.
Add to Torme & Faye the beautiful vocals of Sally Blair and Betty Roche and an unbelievable assortment of jazz musicians (some of the greatest of the day), and you have an experience to remember.
Every time I listen to it, I discover something new.
For those that complain about the quality of the remastering, just let me say, I agree that it is not the finest, but since the alternative is not hearing those great vocals and instrumentals, I'll take it. It is still a lot better than the scratchy old vinyl.

This is the classic to end all classics. It's too bad that there are only 5 stars. This one deserves a 10. Mel Torme is incredible and Francis Faye is beyond description. Gershwin's music, the arrangements and the bands are superb!

You'd better jump on this! What can you say, Duke Ellington, Mel Torme, Francis Faye, Johnny Hartmen, Bette Roche, Russ Garcia, all at the top of their game. I have been waiting for this a long time. The 1956 vinyl set of this classic was released a few years before stereo. I bought the original release, which somehow diappeared when I went off to service. But luckily, I was able purchased it again on vinyl in the 70ds (again no stereo). The re-mastered CD has got to be something else.

Although this recording project is very odd -- Mel Torme and Francis Faye are conflicting vocal types, neither a natural choice for the roles in this work, with a confusing mishmosh of famous arrangers and backing instrumental groups -- this is hands down Torme's most beautiful recorded performance of anything.

Unfortunately this lavishly packaged reissue has disastrous remastering sound problems, manifested as digital white noise or static whenever the music rises above a middle dynamic.

This problem does not exist on the hard-to-find complete and highlights CDs from the '80s.

If Rhino corrects the problem and reissues this reissue, don't hesitate, but as it stands, this set is unfortunately almost unlistenable.

Porgy and Bess has always been one of my favorites, but somehow I overlooked it when replacing my vynil with CD's. So I was really looking forward to this. All I can say is that it was a terrible disappointment.

First off, it has narration, which I never like on a recording to begin with, but this guy sounds like he should be narrating one of those Disney animal flicks. Second, Porgy and Bess requires strong black voices and choruses. Until this recording I had never heard a weak rendition of Summer Time. And how anyone ever thought of having Mel Torme impersonate a black singer is beyond me. My husband walked into the room and asked why I was listening to a lounge singer.

So now I am still looking for a good rendition of Porgy and Bess on CD. If anyone has found one, please let me know.

Having grown up with West Coast jazz while living in So-Cal found the album a delight when first released and the present CD album is flawless.
For those familiar with the old vinyl albums know they contained jacket notes as a means to acquaint the prospective buyer with some flavor the contents. Al "Jazzbo" Collins was a popular writer of jacket notes especially for swing and jazz albums being highly regarded during that period. Duke Ellington was a chart topper in the 40s and 50s. Became acquainted with Frank Rosolino while he was playing trombone with Howard Rumsey's All Stars at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach CA...a fantastic talent.
Lighten up folks and hear some terriffic jazz sung and played by experts. While the more familiar rendition is fine seeing it staged both in Los Angeles and Toronto this album showcases a fine cast uniquely gathered for this project. It is a stand alone album of fine jazz. Owe my introduction to good swing and jazz through the tutoring of an old girlfriend who was the sister of Urbie Green a great jazz trombonist in his day and a fine individual to have known.

Porgy and Bess is an all star spectacular, radically different in concept, yet intriguing. It shows what a great composer George Gershwin was, and this modernized version of the American Folk opera definately is a memorable jazz recording. Hats off to the guys at Bethlehem Archives/Avenue Jazz, Keep up the good work.

We (Pat Moran Quartet) were playing in Chicago at the time of this recording and were flown to LA to be on this album. I'd never been in California before, so the whole thing was a thrill. To be singing with Mel Torme was quite an honor and scary at the same time-he was such a perfect singer. We all played hearts in between each session. I'd never played before, and Betty Roche always gave me a hard time! The whole session was very relaxed and wonderful. I'm very happy it's being re-released. If someone has an extra copy of the "handkerchief" I would love to have one. Pat Moran pmccoy@grrtech.com website-pattimoranmccoy.com

Let's begin by saying there is much to like on this recording. Let's also say that the recording is very, very eclectic. I am a big fan of Torme, a fact which would help anyone who listens or buys this disc. But Torme is the epitome of the White Jazz Singer and this is a musical which should (no racism here) be sung by black artists (with the possible exception of Joe Henderson's largely instrumental Porgy & Bess featuring Sting--yes, Sting--and Chakka Khan.) The narrator on this recording is a big annoyance. It almost comes across as a period piece--but for all these "cautions" I find it an engaging & beautiful recording. Unlike some of the reviewers, I found the quality of the disc just fine & "Bess's" vocals quite lovely. But give it a listen before you purchase it.

I was pleasantly surprised by this jazz rendition of the classic opera. The collection fully utilizes the Gershwin synchopation with a snazzy twist.