Small groups with a big sound
Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 02/05/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"JAZZ COLLECTOR'S EDITION * THE SMALL GROUPS features mainly late 1940s swing and bop. Source material ranges from acceptable to very good, and is most likely radio or V Disc transcriptions. Filtering levels vary. What makes this a particularly interesting album is the wide variety of groups offered. Many tracks here include spoken intros-- Jack Benny's Don Wilson is one announcer.
The set opens with the Harry James Sextet doing some bop. The Sonny Dunham sides are live, possibly recorded at a club. The Krupa and Herman cuts are a bit sub-par, fidelity-wise, while the Dorsey sides are very clear. Artie Shaw's "Dr Livingston I Presume" includes a harpsichord, of all things. Del Simmons closes with a rousing traditional Dixieland number to an appreciative audience.
Personnel are given for all groups. Some artists here: Charlie Teagarden, Billy Butterfield, Charlie Ventura, Nick Fatool, Red Norvo, Ziggy Elman.
This is a fun to listen to album. Recommended.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 48:41"