Search - Artie Shaw :: Essential Artie Shaw

Great music, great remastering, bad track order

Comic Online | Washington, DC United States | 07/09/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First off, the bad...The tracks are not in chronological order, which i don't like. I like to hear the band's progression through the years. Also, the early years had a smaller band, without strings. Later, the band brass/reed section got larger, and he added strings for a lusher sound. If they would have done it chronologically, then you could have 2 discs, one for whichever mood you're in: the early hard swingin' big band, or the later more lush string-laden band. Luckily, i have iTunes and a CD burner.



Now the good. I won't tell you about Artie Shaw. There's a million websites for a history lesson. You are reading this for a review of the CD...not the artist. The re-mastering is probably about as good as they will get this music to sound...or at least with current technology. The bass is deep, but not so much that it drowns out any other instruments or clarity. The high end is very bright, although a tad shrill at times, on the earliest recordings (necessary to avoid losing clarity and fidelity) and the mid range is clear and defined.



NOTE: As another reviever noted, there are a few tracks with some scratchiness to them...but they are in the original acetates, of which some are in better conditions than others. However, it's a fine line to walk when mastering. The more scratchiness the engineers remove, the more clarity you will also remove. I've heard CD's with music as old as the 1920's with NO SCRATCHINESS, but they sound SO DULL as well. No punch. It's like listening to music with cotten in your ears. So, engineers have to pick the line where the level of scratchiness is acceptable to maintain a certain level of clarity. They have certainly done that on this CD set.



If you are a fan, new or old of Swing music, and you want a good sampling of some of the swing kings, these "Essential" ones by Columbia/Legacy/Bluebird are the way to go. They have the best sound, they fit a lot of music on the discs, and aren't very expensive. If the guy you're looking for is not available, try the "Bluebird's Best" series. They are mastered by the same people, and sound great as well. Shy away from the import bootlegs by companies you've never heard of. Sure, they'll give you more for your buck, but without access to the original acetates, they remaster from old 78's, or from other's later LP and CD collections. They just do NOT sound as good. Trust me, i've tried many labels. So stick with the major labels, and (usually), the newer the re-mastering, the better.



Good luck, and keep swingin'!"

Artie Shaw a Masterpiece!

Samuel Taveras | Atlantas, GA USA | 02/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had heard Artie Shaw through a collection of big band music that just happened to have one of his hit singles "Frenesi" in it. I was amazed and wanted to hear more of Artie Shaw so I picked up this CD. I was very impressed and Artie Shaw has become my favorite big band leader. There are plenty of songs and all of them are a joy to listen too. Artie Shaw on his clarinet is just amazing, and I really recommend this CD to anyone that likes big band or jazz music in general. Artie Shaw was very unique and one of the best natural musicians of all time. My favorite song might be "Begin the Beguine", it is just beautiful. This CD really does a good job in presenting the best of Artie Shaw and the sound quality is good but I expected a little better since it said it was "Digitally Remastered" but sometimes I like that little fuzz because it adds to the atmosphere."

Genius--and at a bargain basement price, too !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 01/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Essential Artie Shaw is a wonderful two CD set of the music that made Artie Shaw one of the very best big band leaders the world has even known. This music is very special even today and it's a great way for people to discover the infinite talents of Artie & His Orchestra. The quality of the sound is very good; and the artwork impresses me.



"Begin the Beguine" starts off the first CD with a huge hit for Artie Shaw & His Orchestra. I love it! The brass sounds great in this musical arrangement; and listens for "Deep Purple." "Deep Purple" features the great Helen Forrest singing her heart out as Artie and his band mates play flawlessly. Helen's voice never sounded better and her excellent diction bolstered her performances very well. "Oh! Lady Be Good" is yet another number that only Artie Shaw & His Orchestra could play so well--they were THAT good.



"Georgia On My Mind" has a somewhat jazzy arrangement that, mixed with the big band sound, really makes this number fly. "Any Old Time" and "April In Paris" shine just as brightly, too. "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" was a huge hit for Artie Shaw; and just one listen will tell you why. "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" is a major highlight of the first CD. "Blues in the Night" sounds great; and when Oran "Hot Lips" Page joins in to sing the lyrics it sounds even better than any instrumental version I've veer heard.



The second CD continues the hits. "Frenesi" was another major hit for Artie Shaw & His Orchestra; I always liked this tune. "Take Your Shoes Off, Baby (And Start Runnin' Through My Mind)" again features Oran "Hot Lips" Page; and it all works very well. "Indian Love Call" was a huge movie hit; and when Artie Shaw does this tune he does great justice to this number. "I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me" along with "Star Dust" shine bright; Bette Davis always loved "Star Dust" and when you hear Artie Shaw & His Orchestra perform this there'll be no secret as to why Bette loved it so very much. Although "Streamline" is actually an alternate take, it sounds blissful to me and I think you'll enjoy this number if you like this type of music.



"What Is This Thing Called Love?" showcases just how well Artie Shaw & His Orchestra could play a most romantic ballad and make it swing; and listen for "Alone Together" which gets a very sensitive treatment by these great artists. The second CD ends strong with Artie Shaw & His Orchestra performing "Nightmare." "Nightmare" is a number Artie and his mates sometimes played at the beginning or the end of a radio broadcast.



Overall, The Essential Artie Shaw is a wonderful compilation of Artie Shaw's best work with the members of his orchestra. I highly recommend this for fans of swing and big band music.

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