Expertise The Complete Series

Anita O'Day - The Complete Anita O’Day Verve/Clef Sessions (1999) {9CD Box Set Mosaic MD9-188 rec 1952-1962}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 3.17 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.40 Gb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 105 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1952-62, 1999 Verve / Clef / Mosaic Records | MD9-188
Jazz / Vocal Jazz

Anita O'Day is one of the very best jazz vocalists of all time. Her recordings for Norman Granz represent her best recorded work. Here it all is. The sound quality of these CDs is better than any others of the same recordings. I know because I have them all, in shellac, in vinyl, in CD. In addition, the booklet that comes with the set, like the ones in all Mosaic sets, is first class. Well written, nice photos, accurate information. The one shortfall is that Anita was very much a visual artist, the way she worked, led the band, her timing all that was fascinating to watch and of course other than the photos in the booklet, this is an entirely audio experience. Without question this is the best Anita you will ever hear. It is a shame that it is out of print.

Having received numerous awards and distinctions, this series is by now self-recommending. As anyone who has encountered previous volumes knows, Miklós Spányi’s combination of musicianship and expertise and the wonderful qualities of this unjustly ignored music is a guarantee for an unusually satisfying listening experience. For this volume a change in recording venue has taken place. Previous instalments were recorded in Hungary with the Hungarian period orchestra Concerto Armonico, whereas the present recording was made in Finland, Spányi’s country of residence, with Opus X, a young Finnish band.