5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favorite Compilation CD, December 3, 2006
This review is from: Ultimate 16: Jazz Cafe (Audio CD)
This is one of my favorite jazz compilations. It has track after track of top-notch performances, with really no low points, unless you get tired of "What a Wonderful World". A few highlights:
1) Vocals include the sweet (like Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald) and the soulful (Billie Holliday and Dinah Washington).
2) Surprisingly good quality recordings of older acts like Charlie Parker (upbeat Night and Day that absolutely pops) and Duke Ellington (quick version of Take the A Train).
3) Top-draweer artists that sometimes get short shrift in compilations: piano giant Bill Evans (played on the original "So What" by Miles Davis that is on every other compilation that I own, but is usually ignored otherwise), Jobim, and Teddy Wilson.
I might have done two things differently on this CD:
1) Have Louis Armstrong play instead of sing
2) Maybe include another artist instead of two Jobim selections
I listen to this CD over and over. Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Bill Evans are my three favorites. I highly recommend this CD for selection, performance and sound aquality.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
