Search - Jack Teagarden :: Basin Street Blues (Quadromania)

More T For The Buck

Sussex Pond Pudding | Somewhere in the desert, CA | 11/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't always like mentioning price in a review but sometimes I simply have to, especially in these times where every penny counts more than it use to. So let me get this out of the way: four discs of great sound quality for next to nothing.



In my opinion there has never been a better jazz trombonist in history. His tone, his soulfullness, his technical skill and creativity are unparalleled on this instrument that has gradually been pushed toward the periphery of mainstream jazz. Something that is often overlooked in discussions of Mr. T is his smooth, casual, regular guy vocals. His singing is almost Bing Crosby-like in its ability to make the listener feel like he's sitting in the parlor listening to his slightly inebriated visiting uncle sing at a Christmas party. The voice of Everyman. As someone once said about Bing Crosby, he makes you feel like you could could do that too.



As for the tracks on these CDs they are filled with rarities and terribly neglected recordings. So many great musicians grace these sessions; Louis Armstrong, Bobby Hackett, Zutty Singleton, Barney Bigard, Pee Wee Williams and on and on. Strangely even that wonderful virtually forgotten guitarist Chuck Wayne appears (too bad there are no liner notes to explain the origins of that event, although all the dates and names are contained in the booklet).



This is a perfect set for the man who has no Teagarden and for the man who has lots. There are only a handful of musicians that make me react positively on an almost cellular level but Teagarden is one of them and I would urge anyone reading this review to quickly shell out the bucks for this one as these Quadromania sets seem to be disappearing...like most of the good things in this world. And if you want to spend less (and get less, of course) but still get a spectacular T-fix I would highly recommend this album as a starting point: Jazz Great."

Jack Teagarden

Dane S. Thomas | Lancaster, California USA | 06/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A really enjoyable retrospective of the greatest Jazz Trombonist of the last century. Different takes, some odd items, but interesting throughout. Sound is great, too."