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Well remasted and probably the best time frame of Jelly Roll's career. A better buy simply does not exist.
What a marvel of modern technology. There is very little distortion. Get these gems before they go out of print. These sides are treasures from the 1920s. Just as JSP's "Louis Armstrong and the Hot Five and Seven", they have been miticulously restored to their former glory.
Also, I was not aware of JSP, and the problems that this particular distributor of music was embroiled in. And if not, listen to some of the other Jelly Roll Morton CD samples that I do know are listed. However, the sound is just great. And I recommend that you start with these magnificent recordings. As far as I know, the complete recordings, both original and alternate takes are complete. This is a bargain, both the price and the sound quality of this Jelly Roll Morton set. While I do have a few of Jelly Roll Morton's CDs, this one is just terrific. I also am a 1920s person, and I believe it more than measure up.
Moreover, the price is a great bargain. Jelly Roll Morton's place in the pantheon of jazz is paramount to anyone who wants to build a jazz collection. I am not sure if amazon has a listening sample [I am pretty sure they do] but if they do, I would highly recommend you listening to these great sounds. Highly recommended. [If it is there]. It's great and fun music. Of course nothing sounds as good as it would on your stero, however, if you have never listened to Jelly Roll Morton, then I would recommend you take a few minutes out of your time and listen to the listening sampling's that amazon offers its viewers. The remastering of this set is just simply put the best that I have ever heard.
And I do highly recommend it to all viewers. With all of Jelly Roll Morton's sessions from 1926-1930, remastered with an incredible sound, then look no futher than this CD collection. One of the viewers mentioned that he only likes 1920s sound, and this does not measure up. If you are a jazz fan, or like the music of early America [especially that sweet jazz sound] then I would highly recommend this CD for your collection.
Otherwise, the sound quality is superb, another smashing Davies production. The layout is a little confusing, with alternate takes appearing on opposite discs, rather than in chronological order, but that's a minor issue. The impact of Morton's body of work is incalculable --- what a vital set for any jazz collection. This box set is from the earlier days of JSP; before they developed a rather dubious reputation for alleged piracy. It's a great set, mastered for them by John R T Davies.
I prefer my twenties jazz sweetened up with the melody prominent, not simply a starting point for improvisation and jamming. This album is not going to be played every month (or year) the way my Six Jumping Jacks albums are played. While I know that Jelly Roll is very important to the history of jazz, there is very little of his music that I enjoy.
Fine. Sure, Morton and his bands are the better musicians but the SJJ's have my love the way that The Kingsmen's version of "Louie, Louie," is my favorite version of that song. You have my admiration, but not my love.
I love twenties and thirties music and have a large collection of it. Yes, I can hear that you can do incredible things with your instrument. I'm glad I have this but it won't get played much.
I recognize the technical virtuosity and the improvisational inventiveness. Much of this type of Jazz wears on me the way those twenty minute guitar or bass or drum solos from the late sixties wore on me.
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