Customer Reviews

Winin Boy Blues

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If you have the slightest interest in New Orleans music, you should own everything that the magnificent mr. Morton ever recorded. However, if you want only one cd, this is the one. Here, you get Morton the improvisational pianist, the singer and the storyteller, and the phrase "larger than life" was seldom more to the point...Even more important is Morton's stunning versions of "The Crave", "Mamanita" and "Spanish Swat". You will never ever get closer to the very roots of jazz, nor will you ever feel that jazz history is more relevant to listeners of today. Timeless, indeed...

I am a pianist who was introduced to the music of Jelly Roll Morton from the movie "The Legend of 1900". I decided that I liked the piano piece "The Crave" so much that I had to learn it! Once I got the sheet music, however, I realized that the piece as it's played in the film (and the soundtrack for that matter) consists of only a very short exerpt which has been transcribed. The full version of The Crave is played by Morton himself here on the cd, which I found helpful and inspirational in tackling this stunning piano solo. I also found Creepy Feeling and Spanish Swat to be marvelous as I tend to like music set in the minor key, so I will add them to my list of future music to master. Highly recommended for musicians and music lovers alike!

I have only recently become interested in the music of Jelly Roll Morton. I found this album of the 111 cds I bought to be the very best of the bunch. In the library of congress series this ranks tops because of the quality of songs on the album. It is hard to find a greater song than "The Crave" recorded after Jelly Rolls classic Red Hot Peppers recordings of the 20s.
If I were to choose a cd of the four avaliable from Rounder records this would be the one. However after hearing this one you will want the other 3 without fail which are also excellent.

More of the Library of Congress recordings. Excellent! Excellent! Morton in his last days, recalling the songs, and sounds, and stories of his life. You'll want the whole set, once you've heard one volume of it.