Strictly Jive [Import]

Chick Webb | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 10, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: HEP RECORDS
• ASIN: B00000JNKC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,956 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #25 in Music > Jazz > Jive Jazz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just like a night at the Savoy, April 6, 2001

By 

"jcb65" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strictly Jive (Audio CD)

Ella Fitzgerald is a featured performer on this collection and she doesn't appear until cut number 4 (Sing Me A Swing Song). The first three songs are instrumental and really set the tone for what I imagine would be similar to an actual set list from a night's performance at the Savoy. Eventually Ella's reputation would overshadow Chick Webb and his orchestra. This makes the search for a recording of both good sound quality and an excellent representation of Chick Webb and his band while they were the headliners, difficult. There are many Ella Fitzgerald recordings so, if you want an album that defines Chick Webb and his band at their best - this is it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John R. T. Davies Does It Again!, November 23, 2009

By 

Johnny Hodges (Clark Fork, ID United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Strictly Jive (Audio CD)

John R.T. Davies was the remastering master who was on a mission from God to preserve the best of the old jazz recordings. I have made several attempts to find a recording that does justice to Chick. The Proper Box set is generous in quantity but (as usual for PB), there appears to be no effort made to clean up the sound. The Decca set I had high hopes for (access to the masters and all), but has a dull and somewhat cluttered sound. An obscure Allegro 2CD set captures the brightness of the brass, has a nice "hot" sound, but there is distortion in the louder horn solos and you can't hear the drums very well. This CD has an amazingly open, uncluttered sound to it. The band feels bigger, with lots of "air" around each instrument. A little duller than the Allegro, probably a compromise while removing surface noise. But the very big deal is: finally I can clearly hear the drummming! At last, I can hear the little guy driving the whole orchestra with his kit.

Unlike all the other Webb collections I've heard, this one is not freighted with cornball crooning ("Moonlight and Magnolias", ugh), and/or the kitschy "Little Chicks" subgroup that often featured ricky-tick flute duets.

My "Desert Island Collection" of the top 50 out of my 800+ CD collection now includes this, and I'm ordering the companion CD Rhythm Man forthwith. Of all the fabulous big bands of the swing era, I find Chick Webb the most exciting. The patrons of the Savoy Ballroom apparently felt the same, Webb having knocked off most of the competition in the many "battle of the bands" there against Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and other top bands of the day.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun!, November 18, 2009

By 

Lenton K. Goforth (Springfield, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strictly Jive (Audio CD)

I found this CD quite by accident on iTunes. Just listening to a few samples and I was smitten! This album features some very lively tunes, superb drumming by Chick Webb, and some fine vocals by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jourdan. This CD is a treasure!

There are a total of 26 tracks on the CD, which comes to an hour and 20 minutes (a full CD). The sound quality varies slightly, but all tunes have a full range of low to high, minus low frequencies below 60 Hz (the technology didn't exist). Some tracks have a high frequency hiss in them, but the hiss does not distract. These are superb recordings for the time (circa 1930 - 1939).

Most notable is the fun factor. These tunes are charming, bouncy, and just plain fun! Chick wails on his drums in some tracks, and all of the vocals are delightful. The arrangements are reminiscent of Fletcher Henderson's, who was good enough at arranging to be hired by Benny Goodman.

About 20 percent of the tracks are vocals. Two stand out -- "MacPherson is Rehearsin' (Swing)", and "Sing Me a Swing Song". Both feature Ella Fitzgerald. Then there's another sung by Louis Jourdan titled "Ella". There's no wonder why this was written. The very young Ella Fitzgerald set the world on it's ear! Then there are other vocals that are almost as delightful, by both Jourdan or Fitzgerald (there are no duets).

The bottom line -- this is one fun filled CD, suitable for a conversation starter at a dinner party, or for dance party. No matter your age, this CD is suitable for all audiences, and it includes a historical factor too. The music here sparks the imagination, and conjures up images of sweetness and fun. This one really swings!

Buy this CD!

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