This document is intended as a companion to Len Lyons' book The 101 Best Jazz Albums: A History of Jazz on Records (William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1980, ISBN 0-688-08720-5). In the book Len Lyons provides an overview of the history of jazz by way of the best recordings of its most influential artists. The book covers all styles of jazz from Ragtime and Traditional Jazz through Swing, Big Band, and Bebop, to Fusion and Free. The book is unfortunately out of print, but it is worth searching for, and I would highly recommend it. It provides a knowledgeable critical and historical perspective, which you will not find here, and it served me well as a guide for exploring the world of jazz.
What you will find here is a translation guide from the albums that Len recommends to currently available CD releases. The list itself and the section headings are from the book, Copyright 1980 Leonard S. Lyons, while the comments provided here are Copyright 1996-2002 by Jim Determan. The form of the CD releases often differs from that of the listed LPs. Much of the 78rpm era material has been repackaged for the CD market, and many of the albums from the 50's and 60's have been taken out of two-fers and reissued in their original form with the original artwork and notes. Often the sound has been enhanced so that the older music is more accessible than ever, and sometimes additional cuts and alternate takes have been added. Almost all the material is in print!
As a caveat, I cannot guarantee that all the information about available CDs is completely accurate and up-to-date. Your best bet if you can't find a disc you want is to try and order it from your favorite record store, they should be able to tell you for certain whether or not it is in print. I would appreciate your assistance in maintaining this list, please email any new information on the availability of albums on this list, or any comments to Jim Determan.
This website includes links to CDs at Amazon.com, so that you can listen to excerpts or conveniently purchase many of the albums listed here. These links are not meant as a blanket endorsement of Amazon.com, although they do have a very extensive jazz collection. However, you may find lower prices elsewhere on the web or at your favorite store. I have found local Ma-and-Pa hole-in-the-wall stores often have the best selection and the best prices, so if you have one near you, support it!
A similar list for country music can be found here.
Bibliography:
Abbreviations:
Format of Listings:
< LP # from LL's appendix A. < Artist Name: < LP name (< label) (< # of discs)
- CD release info, either a quick comment, or in a format similar to LP info. Note that I generally only list number of LPs if 1, or if the LP and CD releases have different numbers of discs. "Not reissued" indicates the album is not available on CD. This may not be entirely definitive, however, I have made a reasonable attempt to locate all these albums, and I believe the information is in general accurate and up to date. "As is" means the LP has been reissued on CD with the same title; this comment may be appended by a change in label name or number of disks.
- Some additional comments on albums I recommend as substitutes for the listed album may be added in a second paragraph.
- This material is in print, but unfortunately the 6 rolls actually played by Joplin have been spread out over 2 CD which are fleshed out with rolls originally played by others.
-Dick Hyman: Sixteen Classic Rags (RCA)
-Richard Zimmerman: Scott
Joplin - His Complete Works (Delta) (5) (formerly on Laser Light (5 CDs)
and Bescal (4 CDs) )
-Joshua Rifkin: Piano
Rags by Scott Joplin (Nonesuch)
I would recommend getting a newer recording of these rags rather than the piano
rolls, in particular one of the discs listed above. The Bescal 4-CD set by
Zimmerman was previously available from Publisher's Central Bureau for $20, but
I believe it has been replaced by the 5-CD Laserlight issue. Joshua Rifkin's
disc includes 17 of the best tracks from his original 3 LPs which predated the
Ragtime Revival started by the movie "The Sting". However, some of
Rifkin's interpretations have always seemed a bit too slow and stately
for me, so I prefer the other two choices.
- As is. This set is nice since it has some rags by composers other than Joplin.
- Not reissued, unfortunately.
- As is (Good Time Jazz).
- A number of additional tracks have been added, including the extended work Yamekraw; some alternate takes have been deleted. (Smithsonian Folkways)
- Snowy
Morning Blues (GRP Decca Jazz)
This CD is also a good choice with four solo cuts from Johnson's prime in the
early 30s, and another sixteen from the early 40s of his own and Fats Waller's
compositions. Johnson was rarely recorded in his prime, and had had the first
of several strokes before these later recordings were made, his playing is
still good though, if it lacks some of the drive of his early recordings. A
discrete drummer keeps time.
- Father
of Stride Piano (Sony)
LL mentions a deleted Columbia LP of 1939 recordings with this title as one of
the better examples of James P.'s limited recorded legacy. I believe this
remastered import set on Sony (which owns Columbia) is a reissue of that
session, possibly with additional tracks.
- The
Fats Waller Piano Solos - Turn on the Heat (RCA Bluebird) (2)
Essentially all the same material as the double LP.
-King
Oliver's Creole Jazz Band: The Complete Set (Retrievel) (2)
This is the definitive reissue of King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, remastered by
the incomparable John R. T. Davies, who does the best job I have heard with
these early acoustic recordings. It includes the complete recordings of the
band from 1923 and 1924 along with the two duets Oliver recorded with Jelly Roll
Morton, and two tracks on which the band backs singers Butter Beans and Susie.
It is an import (from the Netherlands) on a small label, so it tends to be hard
to find and pricey, but it is well worth it to hear this glimpse of the origins
of jazz.
- Louis
Armstrong and King Oliver (Milestone)
This set now becomes a footnote, since all the King Oliver material is
available in better sound on the Retrievel set. The only reason to pick up this
set is for the seven interesting tracks by The Red Onion Jazz Babies, featuring
Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Alberta Hunter; or if you can't find the
Retrievel set.
- See note under entry #9 below.
- The
Complete Hot Fives and Hot Sevens (Columbia) (4)
- Louis
Armstrong: The Hot Fives and Sevens (JSP) (4)
- The
Big Band Recordings 1930-1932 (2) (JSP)
- The
Hot Fives Volume I (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- The
Hot Fives & Hot Sevens Volume II (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- The
Hot Fives & Hot Sevens Volume III (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- Louis
Armstrong and Earl Hines Volume IV (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- Louis
in New York Volume V (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- St.
Louis Blues Volume 6 (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- You're
Drivin' Me Crazy Volume 7 (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- Portrait
of the Artist as a Young Man (Columbia) (4)
Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives and Sevens are revolutionary recordings that did
more than any others to change jazz from an ensemble folk music to a vehicle
for the personal expression of the soloist. The newly remastered Columbia
"Complete" and JSP "Hot Fives and Sevens" sets are a huge
improvement over the old Columbia Jazz Masterpieces volumes. Comparing one of
my avorites, "Potato Head Blues", I was amazed at the difference. It
was as if a veil was lifted and Louis was playing in the next room. I had never
realized how well Okey had captured the tone of Armstrong's trumpet back in
1926.
For a while, the JSP set was by far the best available way to hear these
recordings, now Columbia has thrown its hat in the ring with the release of its
four CD set "The Complete Hot Fives and Hot Sevens." The sound quality
is competitive with the JSP set - indeed it may be a matter of taste which you
prefer - a huge improvement over the previous Columbia releases. In addition,
the set is more definitive, since it includes a handful of recordings the
Armstrong groups made for other labels as Lill's Hotshots or Johnny Dodds'
Black Bottom Stompers, as well as some ancillary tracks on which they back
various singers, including Butterbeans and Susie, and Hociel Thomas. In
addition, it is nicely packaged with many photos and extensive liner notes.
The JSP boxed set still makes a nice alternative, especially since it is budget
priced, and can be had for about $20, less than half the price of the Columbia
box. The remastering by John R. T. Davies is exceptional. The first three JSP
disks cover the Hot Five and Seven material, with the fourth disk beginning the
master takes of the Columbia recordings by Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra.
The JSP double disk "The Big Band Recordings 1930-1932," continues
with the Columbia master takes of Armstrong and his Orchestra. This material,
along with alternate takes, sometimes including separate vocal and instrumental
versions of a tune, is also available on the Columbia Jazz Masterpieces volumes
V, 6, and 7, which completists may want, although the sound quality of the JSP
set is far superior.
- The
Essential Bessie Smith (Columbia Roots and Blues) (2)
- Bessie
Smith - The Collection (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- Vol.
1: The Complete Recordings (Columbia Roots and Blues) (2)
- Vol.
2: The Complete Recordings (Columbia Roots and Blues) (2)
- Vol.
3: The Complete Recordings (Columbia Roots and Blues) (2)
- Vol.
4: The Complete Recordings (Columbia Roots and Blues) (2)
- Vol.
5: The Complete Recordings (Columbia Roots and Blues) (2)
At 36 tracks, The Essential double CD makes a better overview of Bessie Smith's
career than the skimpy 16 track Collection (although I haven't heard it yet, so
I can't comment on the sound). However, the Collection can still serve as an
introduction for the uninitiated. The 5 double CDs of the Complete Recordings
series replace the series of double LPs from which the recommended LP was drawn.
You could pick one of these, there may be one which is similar in content to
the recommended LP, however, I think most casual fans will be happy with the
Essential or the Collection.
- The
Jelly Roll Morton Centennial: The Complete Victor Recordings (RCA) (5)
- Jelly
Roll Morton Vol. 1-5 (JSP) (5)
- Birth
of the Hot (RCA)
The RCA 5 CD set reissued all the Hot Peppers recordings for the first time in a
long time in the U.S. It includes alternate takes, and eight songs plus four
alternate takes recorded by Jelly Roll Morton's New Orleans Jazzmen in 1939.
But, it is probably overkill for non-die-hards.
The JSP 5 CD box includes all the Hot Pepper masters and alternate takes, but
not the 1947 New Orleans Jazzmen tracks, and the remastering, by John R. T.
Davies, is superior. In addition the JSP set comes at a budget price (about
$20), and is better programmed, since the alternate takes come on the last couple
disks, so you don't have to listen to two or three takes of each song in
sequence.
"Birth of the Hot" is a nice single CD overview which includes one
take of every one of the early Hot Peppers tracks; it makes a nice
introduction.
- As is, but the two great King Oliver - Morton duets are now on this disc, not the Armstrong - Oliver Milestone set I mention under #7, and LL mentions under Oliver on p. 72.
-24
Rare Recordings of Piano Solos 1923-1926 (Retrieval)
This is the best reissue of this material, with the superior remastering by
John R. T. Davies. It includes all the piano solos on the above set, skips the
mediocre band sides, and adds a few additional piano sides from 1926. If you
also have the Retrievel King Oliver Complete Set (see number 7 above), then you
will also have the two Oliver-Morton duets.
- Bix
Beiderbecke Vol. 1: Singing the Blues (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- Bix
& Tram (JSP) (4)
This is a better collection than the aforementioned LP, since it includes the
best tracks from the LP, has more cuts, and includes Bix's unique piano solo,
"In a Mist".
The JSP budget four disc set (can be had for around $20) has superior
remastering by John R. T. Davies on most tracks, and makes an excellent choice,
especially for those who want more than one Beiderbecke disc. The first disc of
the set duplicates the Columbia set, except that “In a Mist” is moved to volume
4.
- Not reissued.
- A
Study in Frustration: The Fletcher Henderson Story (Columbia)
I recommend this 3 CD set as a substitute for the listed LP set. It is a
reissue of an old LP set, and covers much of the same material.
- Early
Ellington: The Complete Brunswick Recordings (GRP Decca Jazz) (3)
This 3 CD set should include everything on the aforementioned LP and more, but
read on...
-The
Okey Ellington (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces) (2)
LL only selected the above LP as second best to early Ellington recordings on
Columbia (originally recorded for Okey) which were out of print. This material
is now reissued on the above set, which is probably a better purchase.
- The
Blanton-Webster Band (RCA Bluebird) (3)
This great set covers the recommended collection plus more, 66 cuts in all!
Highly recommended.
- (Prestige) (3) - As is (2) (The 3 LPs on 2 CDs).
- Great
Times! (Riverside) (1)
- Happy Go Lucky Local (Musicraft) (1)
The first CD covers the Ellington-Strayhorn piano duets and small group
sessions which were the primary reason LL chose the LP, the second CD has the
full band sessions from the LP.
- The
Popular Duke Ellington (RCA)
- Duke Ellington in the Sixties (U.K. RCA, this CD is now out of print)
"The Popular Duke Ellington" is a reissue of this LP with its
original title, it is now available in the U.S. as well as Japan. The U.K. CD
is a reissue of the LP along with much additional material, all on one CD,
unfortunately it is out of print.
- The
Complete Decca Recordings (GRP Decca Jazz) (3)
This triple disc covers the LP and plenty more, great stuff!
- Not reissued.
- April
in Paris (Verve)
- Count
Basie Swings - Joe Williams Sings (Verve)
Either of these would make a good substitute for the recommended album, I
prefer them anyway.
- As is (1). The 2 LP has been reissued as a single CD, a few cuts had to be left off to make it fit, but all the solo piano performances were retained.
- At
Carnegie Hall 1938 Complete (Columbia) (2)
This new edition includes a number of bonus tracks, most of which are just
applause tracks; but two are new songs which had been left off of previous
editions due to the poor quality of the masters, and it shows. Also included
are Benny's spoken track introductions for the 1950 album release (wisely all
placed at the end). The most worthwhile addition is having the complete
"Honeysuckle Rose" jam session, including solos by Harry Carney and
Buck Clayton which had been edited in all previous releases.
Also included is additional hiss and pop, which may or may not please you. The
remastering was done by going back to the original lacquer masters, rather than
the old tapes used for the LPs. And every attempt was made to err on the side
of not damaging the sound of the music. Generally I prefer this goal to
excessive noise reduction which tends to deaden the music, but in this case,
although I know the masters are all that exist, I am surprised lower background
noise could not be achieved without undue harm to the music. It would have made
for more pleasant listening.
- The
Genius of the Electric Guitar (Columbia) (4)
-
Charlie Christian Genius of the Electric Guitar (Columbia)
- The
Benny Goodman Sextet Featuring Charlie Christian (Columbia)
The new Columbia four CD box, stylishly packaged in a simulated vintage guitar
amp (and including a poster while supplies last, but you may have to get it at
your local music store) includes master and alternate takes of all Charlie
Christian’s Columbia studio recordings, including the Goodman big band and
small group sides, and various all-star sessions, so this is the definitive
reissue. For those wanting a single Charlie Christian CD, the first Columbia
single CD makes a good choice, it includes some of the sextet sides on which
Christian is most prominently featured as soloist, along with "Solo Flight"
on which Charlie solos on top of the full Goodman band - the sense of discovery
is palpable, never before could a guitar hold its own against a big band. The
second single CD, often filed under Goodman's name, has good sextet material,
but Christian's role is less prominent.
- Vol. 1 Hot Mallets! The All-Star Groups (RCA) (1)
- Vol. 2 The Jumpin' Jive: The All-Star Groups: 1937-1939 (RCA) (1)
- Vol.
3 Tempo and Swing: The All-Star Groups: 1939-1940 (RCA) (1)
These three volumes contain much of material from the all star sessions that
made up the LP boxed set. The first volume is Hampton's pick of his favorites from
these sessions.
- Not reissued.
- Lady
Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia 1933-1944 (Columbia) (10)
- Lady
Day: The Best of Billie Holiday (Columbia) (2)
- The
Quintessential Billie Holiday Vols. 1-9 (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
- Legacy (1933-58) (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces) (3)
Columbia's new "Complete" 10 CD set is the definitive edition,
lavishly packaged with extensive liner notes, with all of her recordings from
1933-1944, including alternate takes (wisely placed separately on the last few
disks), and air checks with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and
others. These recordings were her high point, and virtually every last one is
enjoyable. The musicianship is also superior, with the apparent informal
atmosphere in the studio, and a parade of great swing era sidemen passing
through the band, generally lead by pianist Teddy Wilson.
Columbia's "The Best of" is a two CD overview of the
"Complete" box set, which includes many of her more well known
recordings, and makes an excellent introduction.
The Quintessential series is now supplanted by the "Complete" set,
which has superior sound, and a lot more music (around 23 tracks per CD on the
Complete as opposed to 16 or so on each volume of the Quintessential).
"The Legacy" box is a somewhat haphazard overview of her Columbia
years, including her 1958 return for the album "Lady in Satin."
"The Best of" is probably a better choice as an introduction, while a
serious fan will probably prefer "The Complete" since "The
Legacy" will almost certainly leave off some of your favorites.
- As is, but 6 additional cuts were added to the CD, for a total of 16 cuts. (The entire Solo and Group Masterpieces series are available on CD).
- The
Thundering Herd 1945-1947 (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
This CD covers much of the same material, includes most of the best tracks,
plus other good tracks not on LP.
Duke Ellington: Ellington
At Newport 1956 - Complete (Columbia) (2)
This was Duke Ellington's best selling album, and on the strength of Paul
Gonsolves 27-chorus solo bridging Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue, and
the resulting audience response, it revitalized Ellington's career. LL makes
special mention of it, and this new double CD reissue gives even more reason to
love one of jazz's classic live recordings. First of all it is now in true
stereo for the first time, and hearing the band in stereo is fantastic! Two
recordings were originally made of the concert, and they've been combined to
make a stereo recording. Second, the original album only had a handful of
tracks, and half of them were not really from the concert, they were recorded
in the studio the next day, complete with dubbed-on announcements and crowd
noise to make it sound live. Now we hear the complete live concert, as the
audience heard it, along with all the studio tracks (so there is some
duplication). Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue remain the centerpiece,
but the rest of the concert tracks add a few major and minor slices of
Ellingtonia, with a couple of standards thrown in, to make the concert more
representative of the band. The live tracks that were re-recorded, like
Ellington's Newport Jazz Festival Suite, have enough drive and enthusiasm that,
although they aren't flawless, I wonder why they were originally rejected.
Finally, it is also enlightening to hear Ellington deal with the crowd, which
borders on a riot toward the end of the concert. Against the advice of his
manager, Duke plays an additional encore, and then gracefully ends the concert
while thanking the audience for their enthusiasm. This album preserves a
classic moment in jazz, and with the additional material, it also makes a good
introduction to the music of Duke Ellington.
Count Basie: At
Newport (Verve)
While not as famous as the Ellington Newport album, this CD reissue has doubled
the amount of music, and should greatly enhance the stature of this 1957
concert. The first part of this album, and the only part issued on the original
LP, features a reunion of members of the original Basie band from the 30's.
With talent scout John Hammond announcing, drummer Joe Jones, tenor saxophonist
Lester Young, and vocalist Jimmy Rushing join Basie for some more or less
impromptu numbers. While Young is no longer at the top of his game, Rushing
delivers some of his most powerful performances, with the live occasion and
high fidelity enhancing the moment. The second half of the program, added for
the CD release, features the contemporary Basie band with Basie's other star
vocalist, the late great Joe Williams, featured in fine form on four tracks.
The result is an excellent live album, and a good single disc introduction to
the Basie band sound of the 30's and 50's, his two classic periods.
Django Reinhardt:
- Swing
From Paris (ASV)
- Nuages
(ASV)
- Classic
Early Recordings (5) (JSP)
- Paris
And London 1937-1948 Volume 2 (4) (JSP)
- Django
Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli (GNP Crescendo)
The French Gypsy, Django Reinhardt, was probably the most influential European
in jazz, and was certainly one of the most influential jazz guitarists. His
incredible virtuosity, despite the loss of the use of the two smallest fingers
on his left hand, brought the acoustic guitar to its peak in the 1930's, prior
to the popularization of the amplified guitar. His partnership with the great
jazz violinist Stefan Grappelli produced the classic Quintette of the Hot Club
of France recordings, which are the centerpiece of his legacy.
The two ASV disks serve as great overviews of his classic recordings, with
"Swing from Paris" being an obvious first choice, and Nuages a nice
supplement. The two JSP boxes have excellent remastering by Ted Kendall, a
protege of John R. T. Davies, and with their budget pricing (about $25) they
are excellent values, especially for fans. The GNP disk collects a late 40's
reunion with Grappelli and has higher fidelity recordings of some of their
favorites.
- The
Legendary Dial Masters, Vols. 1 & 2 (Jazz Classics) (2)
See the next entry for some nice reissues that combine Parker’s Dial and Savoy
recordings.
- Best
of the Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings (Savoy Jazz) (1)
- The
Complete Savoy & Dial Master Takes (Savoy Jazz) (3)
- The
Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings 1944-1948 (Atlantic) (8)
- Charlie Parker’s Savoy and Dial recordings have been reissued in seemingly
endless configurations on CD at various times. These three reissues let you
choose the depth to which you want to delve into this material. These
recordings are the basis of bop, so I would recommend the 3 CD Complete Master
Takes set, which covers most of what was on the two double albums LL
recommended. If you’re not sure and want to try out just a cross-section, then
pick up the first disk. If you already know you are a serious fan, then you may
be inclined to go for the Complete Recordings.
- "Shaw
Nuff" (Musicraft) (1)
All but maybe one cut from the double album is on this CD.
- As is (with the original cover art restored). The sound has been cleaned up compared to what the old LP sounded like, and listening to this was a revelation, great stuff!
- The
Quintet: Jazz at Massey Hall (Prestige) (1)
- Jazz
at Massey Hall Vol. 2 (Debut) (1)
The first CD has the quartet material with Parker, Gillespie, Powell, Mingus,
and Roach, and is usually filed under Parker. This is the best part of the
concert, I think. The trio material with Powell, Mingus, Roach stuff, which is
good as well, is on the second disc. It is usually filed under Bud Powell.
- The
Genius of Modern Music Volume 1 (Blue Note) (1)
- The
Genius of Modern Music Volume 2 (Blue Note) (1)
The two CDs cover most of the material from the double album, and also add some
alternate takes, etc.
- Brilliant
Corners (Riverside) (1)
- Five
by Five by Monk (Riverside) (1)
The CD's are reissues of the original LPs which made up the double album.
Brilliant Corners is the better of the two discs.
- Alone
in San Francisco (Riverside) (1)
- Thelonious
Himself (Riverside) (1)
The CD's are reissues of the original LPs which made up the double album. Of
the two, I prefer Alone in San Francisco.
- As is. (Vol. 2 is also available, and is nice).
- As is. (This has gone in and out of print, currently out as a limited edition).
- As is, except that some additional alternate takes have been added, while some tracks have been moved to Vol. 2.
- Clifford
Brown and Max Roach (EmArcy) (1)
- Study
in Brown (EmArcy) (1)
These have been returned to the original LP format. The first CD contains much
of the best stuff, including "Joy Spring," "Blues Walk,"
and "Parisian Thoroughfare;" the second CD contains most of the rest
of the material from the double LP.
- Saxophone
Colossus (Prestige) (1)
- Rollins
Plays for Bird (Prestige) (1)
- Plus
4 (Prestige) (1)
These have been returned to original LP format, half the double album is on the
first CD which contains "St. Thomas," his great calypso tune, and is
the best first choice purchase for Rollins. The other half is spread out on the
other CDs.
- A
Night at the Village Vanguard (Blue Note) (2)
This two CD set reissues both of the original Rollins' Vanguard albums.
- Not reissued.
-Time
Out (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
-Greatest
Hits (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
Either or both of these discs would make an appropriate substitute for the
recommended LP. The first one contains "Take Five" and the other odd
time signature material, which include many of the more memorable of Brubeck's
"hits." The Greatest its CD picks up some of the other material, like
"Duke," his tribute to Ellington.
- A Japanese single CD reissue of this double album is available at a lofty import price. This is a great album which captures fine live performances of many of the MJQ's best known pieces; however, there are a couple of alternative choices available, including an arguably superior live concert from the MJQ's prime, see below.
-
Dedicated to Connie (Atlantic) (2)
After MJQ drummer Connie Kay passed away in late 1994, pianist John Lewis went
through some of the bands concert recordings and discovered this previously
unreleased 1960 live recording made in what is now Slovenia. To quote John,
"In my opinion, never before or since has the Modern Jazz Quartet played
better, whether on stage or in the recording studio." Critics seem to
agree: the PJG gives this their mark of special merit. Recorded the same year,
and probably on the same tour, as the "European Concert" album, this
set now makes a better choice as a representation of the group's music. Like
the "European Concert" album, it includes fine live versions of many
of the group's most important pieces, and, at two CDs, includes significantly
more music. The recording quality is quite reasonable considering the
circumstances under which it was made.
-
The Complete Last Concert (Atlantic) (2)
This live concert dates from the bands 1974 breakup; however, since there were
many subsequent reunions, the title has become a bit of a misnomer. The two CD
reissue under the "Complete" title has added significantly more music
to this fine concert, superior in fidelity, if not quite in inspiration, to the
two 1960 concerts. Again there is much overlap of repertoire with the above two
concerts, so many of the MJQ's standards are represented. If recording quality
is of prime importance to you, you may prefer this set.
- As is (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces).
- As is (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces).
- As is (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces).
- As is (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces).
- In San
Francisco (Riverside) (1)
- In
New York (Riverside) (1)
Restored to the original LP format with a bonus track on In San Francisco,
which is the better first choice as well.
- Incredible
Jazz Guitar (Riverside) (1)
- So
Much Guitar! (Riverside) (1)
Restored to the original LP format.
- As is.
- Not reissued.
- As is.
- Mack
the Knife - The Complete Ella in Berlin (Verve)
Some additional cuts, mostly standards of Ella's concert repertoire (not all
actually from the Berlin concert), round out this set to make it an even better
collection than it was.
The LP with a few additional cuts, but see below for what may be better first choices for Vaughan:
Sarah
Vaughan with Clifford Brown (Emarcy)
No
Count Sarah (Emarcy)
LL mentions these as two of Vaughan's best albums, both were out of print at
the time, but are available on CD now. The first is small group sessions and
was Vaughan's personal favorite, the second is an earlier collaboration with a
group from the Basie band (again without the Count). Either would make an
excellent first purchase of Vaughan.
- Not reissued.
- I'll
Be Seeing You - A Tribute to Carmen McRae (MCA)
This 2 CD collection of her best MCA material, which duplicates some of the
material from the LP set, would make a good substitute for the recommended
album.
- As is (Verve).
The
Audience with Betty Carter (Verve) (2)
This fantastic live 2 CD set won the PJG's highest accolade. I would certainly
recommend it as the best first choice album for Betty Carter. It had not yet
been recorded when LL chose the above recommended LP.
(Columbia) - Everybody's
Boppin' (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)
This CD contains all LP material, plus additional cuts, and they followed LL's
suggestion of restoring a picture of the group in action for the cover.
- Greatest
Hits (The Prestige Collection) (Prestige)
The entire LP plus additional cuts is on this CD. Note that this is not the
same as "The
Best of Mose Allison" on Atlantic, which is also good.
- As is (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces). A new pitch-corrected version of this disc may have been issued.
- The
Complete Concert 1964 (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces) (2)
The double CD covers both the above LP and the old My Funny Valentine LP which
was drawn from the same concert.
- As is (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces, or maybe Columbia Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces).
- Waltz
for Debby (Riverside) (1)
- Sunday
at the Village Vanguard (Riverside) (1)
Restored to the original LP format with alternate takes added.
- As is.
- Charles
Mingus Presents Charles Mingus (Candid)
This CD contains half the double album restored to the original LP format. The
other half has apparently not been reissued on CD.
- Charles
Mingus: Passions of a Man - The Complete Atlantic Recordings (Rhino) (6)
The reissue expands this set to six CDs covering all of Charles Mingus's
Atlantic recordings, rather than a three LP anthology garnered from those
recordings.
- Thirteen
Pictures: The Charles Mingus Anthology (Rhino) (2)
If you don't want to spring for the complete recordings, Rhino's excellent
"Pictures" anthology of Mingus' Atlantic material covers some of the
same tracks which were on the Passions of a Man Anthology, and makes a fine
introduction to Mingus' work. Many of Mingus' original Atlantic albums have
also been reissued on CD, so another option would be to chose from those.
- Eric
Dolphy in Europe (Original Jazz Classics) Volume 1
- Eric
Dolphy in Europe (Original Jazz Classics) Volume 2
- Eric
Dolphy in Europe (Original Jazz Classics) Volume 3
These discs include the material from the Copenhagen Concert.
- As is; the new release includes the double-sided single version of the title song as two bonus tracks.
- Live at the Village Vanguard: The Master Takes (GRP).
- The
Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings (Universal) (4)
- This boxed sets contains the complete recorded performances from Coltrane’s
important Village Vanguard performances.
- As is (GRP).
- A
Love Supreme (Deluxe Edition) (Universal) (2)
- This deluxe remastered edition includes a second disk of alternate takes and
live performances.
- As is.
- as is (1). This single CD contains entire double LP.
- As is.
- As is.
- as is (1). This single CD contains entire double LP.
- Ezz-thetics
(Riverside) (1)
- The
Outer View (Riverside) (1)
- The
Stratus Seekers (Riverside (1)
The 3 CD's above reissue the material in the recommended LP in its original
form. Ezz-thetics is Russell's most highly recommended LP according to PJG.
- As is.
- Blues
and the Abstract Truth (GRP) (1)
- Sound
Pieces (GRP Decca Jazz) (1)
These two CDs are reissues of original LPs. Blues and the Abstract Truth is a
classic, Sound Pieces is good, but definitely of lesser quality.
- As is (BVCJ). This disc has been reissued in Japan.
- As is (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces).
- As is.
- As is (GRP).
- As is (Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces - Columbia).
- As is.
- As is.
- Light
as a Feather (Polydor) (2)
This 1998 remaster edition includes a second disc of alternate takes.
- As is.
- As is (1). The double LP is out on 1 CD.
- As is (1). The entire double LP on 1 CD.
- Land
of Make Believe (Mercury) (1)
This CD is half of double LP restored to the original LP format, the other half
has not been reissued on CD.
- As is (Columbia Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces). The 2 LP set, less one cut, is on this single CD. Note that Japanese Columbia previously had a 2 CD complete version of the concert available, but at an import price.
Heavy
Weather (Columbia Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces)
This album, which LL calls their best studio album, is worth checking out, and
would make a good substitute, it contains studio recordings of some of the same
pieces.
- As is.
- As is, with an alternate take added. Note that both Ornette Coleman albums listed here are included in the 6 CD "Beauty is a Rare Thing" boxed set from Atlantic.
- As is.
- As is.
- Not reissued.
- The
Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra Volume One (Get Back Records) (also Volumes Two
and Three)
- Jazz
in Silhouette (Evidence)
These CDs are highly recommended by LL and/or the PJG and would make a suitable
substitute. Jazz in Silouette is a bit too straight ahead to really show off
Sun Ra's eccentricities, I would recommend getting Heliocentric Worlds.
- Live (RCA Bluebird) (1) (out of print).
The single CD omits one cut from the double LP. Despite the loss of a nice
track, its still a good set.
- As is (1). The single CD leaves off the encore performance from the double LP. Still a great concert performance.
- As is.
- As is (Discovery)
- As is (RCA Bluebird) (out of print).
See the following Web Sites for information and links on the history of jazz:
Billy Taylor
lectures
Jazz
Central Station.
Cootie’s Jazz - for a different list
of the best jazz albums, with a greater emphasis on the bop and modern styles.
A special thanks to J. Provine, Mone Peterson, Hrayr Attarian, Jim Sturby, Mark Marley, Tom Croft, Jack Lefton, and Glenn Lea for information used to update this list.
Last update 15 October, 2003 by Jim Determan
This page maintained by Jim Determan
and Mark Marley.