Customer Reviews

Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz

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

 

 

Comparisons between this 5 volume collection and Ken Burns are inevitable. They cover a lot of similar ground, so I'll highlight where they diverge. This collection is intended to be a real survey, as opposed to a soundtrack for a documentary, so I expect a little better representation. The biggest surprise was the crystal clear Scott Joplin recording, who lived before sound was recorded. This was accomplished courtesy of a well-preserved piano roll. Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong are well-represented. Thelonius Monk and Charlie Parker both get good exposure. Two of my piano heroes, Bill Evans and Errol Garner, make appearances, but Oscar Peterson is conspicuously absent. Strangely, the Coletrane song in this collection is Alabama, rather than Giant Steps, a song that gave birth to "Coletrane Changes" in contemporary jazz. Finally, Ornette Coleman, arguably the most revolutionary figure in jazz, is generously represented with three cuts, including an excerpt from Free Jazz. At that point, where jazz achieved maximum creativity without losing its identify as jazz, the collection stopped, as I think it should. This is a great collection, but it was mastered before digital mastering and a lot of the earlier material is hard to listen to for any length of time. Hence the four stars.

Definitive.

No one learning about the history of jazz should be without this collection from Martin Williams. Even serious fans will find these recordings illuminating.

I have not been able to determine whether Martin Williams' complete 120 pp book is included with the 1995 reissue, but it is included with the 1987 pressings.

Picked these CD's up for one dollar each and the book for a dollar as well at out local Goodwill Outlet that sells items by the pound. Media like VHS and CD's are a dollar a piece. I found all five CD's in mint condition w/ insert and case and found the Smithsonian Jazz book as well. I thought it would be a good place to start. The CD's play very well for being 24/25 years old at the time of buying. Looking forward to investigating this genre more and this seemed like a logical place to start. For six dollars it was a very good deal. Sound is great, very full and clear.

The collection was a requested present. Though I hesitated to buy a "used" item, the recipient assured me that there was no problem with the recordings. In fact, some of the cases were never unwrapped and new. The book was in excellent condition and it all arrived in a timely fashion. Thank you for the excellent service.