New Orleans Stomp

Jaki Byard - Solo/Strings (2000) {Prestige PRCD-24246-2 rec 1968-1969}
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© 1968-69, 2000 Prestige Records / Fantasy | PRCD-24246-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano

Few jazz pianists could honestly claim to be more eclectic than the late Jaki Byard. Depending on the mood he was in, the Bostonian could acknowledge anyone from Dave Brubeck to James P. Johnson to Cecil Taylor. Byard wasn't afraid to take chances, and his open-mindedness served him well. The pianist's eclectic nature is impossible to miss on Solo/Strings, which is the 2000 reissue of his Prestige dates Jaki Byard with Strings (1968) and Solo Piano (1969) on a single 78-minute CD (minus, unfortunately, "Hello, Young Lovers" from Solo Piano). While Solo Piano is exactly that – an album of unaccompanied solo piano – Jaki Byard With Strings is somewhat misleading.

For those who wish to develop a strong relationship with early jazz, there are certain records that may help the listener to cultivate an inner understanding, the kind of vital personal connection that reams of critical description can only hint at. Once you become accustomed to the sound of Johnny Dodds' clarinet, for example, the old-fashioned funkiness of South Side Chicago jazz from the 1920s might well become an essential element in your personal musical universe. Put everything post-modern aside for a few minutes and surrender to these remarkable historic recordings. It is January 1927, and the band, fortified with Freddie Keppard and Tiny Parham, is calling itself Jasper Taylor & His State Street Boys…

King Oliver - Off The Record: The Complete 1923 Jazz Band Recordings (2006) {2CD Off The Record-Archeophone ARCH OTR-MM 6-C2}
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© 1923, 2006 Off The Record / Archeophone Records | ARCH OTR-MM 6-C2
Jazz / Early Jazz / New Orleans Jazz / Cornet

Because the personnel include Louis Armstrong, Lillian Hardin, and Johnny and Baby Dodds, the 1923 recordings of King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, originally made for the Gennett, OKeh, Columbia, and Paramount labels, have been reissued numerous times as formats have changed and technology has improved. Here, the Canadian label Off the Record (distributed in the U.S. by Archeophone Records) puts 37 tracks on two CDs, having made transfers from the most pristine 78-rpm discs available.

Joe Daniels - Dixie Band Stomp (2007) {Living Era CD AJA 5652 rec 1951-1955}
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© 1951-55, 2007 Living Era / Sanctuary Records | CD AJA 5652
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Dixieland / Trad Jazz / Drums

English drummer and bandleader Joe Daniels is heard leading his lively Dixieland band on this smartly selected Living Era compilation of recordings made between 1951 and 1955. Although parallels have been drawn between Daniels and studiously eccentric characters like Raymond Scott, this portion of his career was entirely devoted to old-fashioned Dixieland jazz. The examples that have found their way onto this compilation are strong enough to warrant comparison with the best of Lu Watters, Eddie Condon or Jimmy McPartland.

One of the most famous sets of recordings in jazz history presented here complete and in stunning quality transfers by John R.T. Davies himself. Sleeve notes by Oliver-authority Laurie Wright. The complete set of the recordings by Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dodds and Oliver himself. For bonus points, the two very rare King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton duets and the pair of sides by Butterbeans and Susie with King Oliver accompaniments. The only word for this CD is "Definitive". The first great black jazz band on record.

Various Artists - Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' by The Bayou: Bop Cat Stomp (2019) {Ace Records CDCHD 1547}
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© 2019 Ace Records | CDCHD 1547
Rhythm & Blues / Blues / Louisiana R&B / Texas R&B

Volume 21 of the great musical adventure brings another helping of mid-century rhythm’n’blues from the bayou region of South Louisiana/SE Texas, an area that spreads from New Orleans in the east to Port Arthur in the west. Here are the hot guitars, pounding pianos and honking saxes, spiced here and there with a little accordion or harmonica, all topped off by cool vocals. This collection stems from the vaults of the most innovative record men of the region – Eddie Shuler, JD Miller, Floyd Soileau, Sam Montel and Huey Meaux. All had a gift for recognising musical talent and letting it flourish. They were able to encourage and cajole the best possible performances from their artists without corrupting their individuality.

Louis Armstrong - The Complete Hot Five And Hot Seven Recordings (2000) {4cd set, 84 page book}
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© 2000 Columbia / Legacy | C4K 63527
Jazz / Early Jazz / New Orleans Jazz / Dixieland / Trumpet

This four-CD set brings together all the recordings made during the period of the Hot Five and Hot Sevens along with all the attendant recordings that Armstrong was involved in during this breakthrough period. Although this material has been around the block several times before – and continues to be available in packages greatly varying in transfer quality – this is truly the way to go, and certainly the most deluxe packaging this material has ever received with the greatest sound retrieval yet employed.