Sidney Bechette

This collection of Bechet tracks cut between 1932 and 1941 would be worth owning if for nothing else than the inclusion of his one-man-band recording of "Sheik of Araby," the first known instance of overdubbing with Sidney playing clarinet, tenor sax, piano, bass and drums. But everything on here is fine, spirited New Orleans music, played with verve and wild energy. Kicking off with a wild version of "Maple Leaf Rag" by the New Orleans Feetwarmers, the set moves to include Bechet with Jelly Roll Morton, Tommy Ladnier (excellent versions of "Weary Blues" and Mezz Mezzrow's "Really the Blues"), Dr. Henry Levine's Barefoot Dixieland Philharmonic, and Sidney's later versions of the Feetwarmers.

Avid Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by Sidney Bechet, complete with original artwork and liner notes. “Favourites”; “Sidney Bechet with Claude Luter Et Son Orchestre - Vol 1”; “Sidney Bechet with Claude Lute Et Son Orchestre - Vol 2“ and “Souvenirs”.
As jazz legends go, they don’t come much bigger than the master clarinettist and soprano saxophonist, Sidney Bechet. Bechet’s story is, of course, well known to all jazz fans, born in New Orleans, recording with Clarence Williams in 1923, even before the great Louis Armstrong, playing with all the greats of the 1930’s and 40’s including Freddie Keppard, Bunk Johnson and King Oliver…

This CD compilation includes two separate sessions by the legendary soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet and a third date by clarinetist Claude Luter. Bechet's hearty vibrato dominates the four octet tracks, though his French band provides more than adequate support for him. Trumpeter Gerard Bayol and trombonist Benny Vasseur get in their licks in the laid back "On the Sunny Side of the Street." The quartet session is more interesting, just for the opportunity to hear drummer Kenny Clarke and bassist Pierre Michelot outside their normal bop recordings; the pianist is Eddie Bernard (who was also present on the octet recordings)…