The Best Collection of Kid Ory
Tsang Lok Ming | Hong Kong | 12/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kid Ory was a very important figure in Jazz history: Louis Armstrong, King Oliver etc. were trained up in his band in 1910s; his band was first black Jazz band to record (first white band to record was Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 1917); he played trombone part in formidable Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five in 1920s. The tracks here ranged from his first recording, also first black Jazz recording "Ory's Creole Trombone" and "Society Blues" in 1922, through a lot of tracks played with great Jazz figures liked Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton in 1920s, to his Creole Jazz Band in 1944. As so, it is not necessary to describe how it is worth buying in details. A Must Have collection for Jazz fans. It also a typical sampler of 1920s New Orlean Jazz for everyone."
The creme de la creme of New Orleans
David E. | Holon | 09/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love the New Orleans sound and Kid Ory was one of the town's great ambassadors for that matter. His Band had the creme de la creme of New Orleans players. I am really attached to his Muskrat Ramble interpretation but you can find here a chest full of gems, not just one or two occasional good moments (like with so many other unfortunate artists of the period).
ASV has done a great remastering work here but for some it is not enough. I know.
Although the quality of recording may sound poor to those ears, compared with Ory's 50's and 60's late bloom recordings, you should at least taste the feeling of one old Grandpa's Spells before dismissing this vintage records as some museum pieces or a lesson in history.
Yes, sure, it could function as both but it is much more than that. The music here is alive!
All the rare and special of New Orleans is preserved here note by note and you can actually hear the streets and visualize the band marching down there."