I'm All Right Jack (1959)

When viewed as a whole, this compilation gives an accurate overview of the way that the blues developed through the fifties. Take “Goin' Away Baby” for example: it is surely no coincidence that Muddy Waters himself played on this practical demonstration of how the Mississippi country blues sound was updated after the war to provide Chicago, and ultimately the world, with a tough new sound. Moving on to 1952 and “The Last Time”, the addition of Johnny Jones on piano combines with Jimmy's relaxed, confident vocal to give the song an assorted urban feel - this performance also clarifies why the accompanying musicians were occasionally billed on the records as "The Rocking Four".
The later recordings reveal that Jimmy had a fondness for uptempo material, culminating in success on the national R&B charts with the 1956 recording of “Walking By Myself"…

In what was a giant undertaking (even for producer Norman Granz), pianist Oscar Peterson recorded ten Songbook albums during 1952-1954 and when his trio changed, nine more in 1959. Both of his George Gershwin projects (one from 1952 and the other from 1959) have been reissued in full on this single CD. The earlier date matches the brilliant Peterson with guitarist Barney Kessel and bassist Ray Brown, while the 1959 session has Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen. The Songbook series found Peterson playing concise (around three-minute) versions of tunes, and he always kept the melody in the forefront. The results are not innovative or unique, but they are tasteful and reasonably enjoyable. Since five of the songs are played by both groups, a comparison between the two units is interesting.

During the late '50s, Ella Fitzgerald continued her Song Book records with Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book, releasing a series of albums featuring 59 songs written by George and Ira Gershwin…

During the late '50s, Ella Fitzgerald continued her Song Book records with Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book, releasing a series of albums featuring 59 songs written by George and Ira Gershwin…

Avid presents four classic Lena Horne albums plus, including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered double CD. "Stormy Weather", "Give the Lady What She Wants", "At the Waldorf Astoria", "A Friend of Yours" plus the rare E.P. "At the Cocoanut Grove".
The liner notes for our first album "Stormy Weather" very accurately describe Avid's latest recruit to our four classic album series. "In singing there is Ella. In night clubs there is Hildegarde. In the movies there is Lana… and in all three- in singing, night clubs and movies there is the entertainer supreme - Lena… a fascinating mixture of talent, charm and beauty… This is Lena". Across these classic albums we can hear Lena covering the songs of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke on "A Friend Of Yours"…