Masters of Boogie Piano: Five Classic Albums Plus

Fun

Another outstanding release from the fine folks at AVID to add to my collection .The Jimmy Yancey and Meade Lux Lewis recordings sound great thanks to Ted Kendall , especially the one EP that features Louis Bellson as accompaniest.The Albert Ammons tracks were a little different as there is a backup band and were not as well recorded originally as the others.Less interesting to my ears but absolutely worth it as the one track includes one of the only recordings of Albert Ammons with his son , Tenor Sax Giant Gene Ammons .Guitarist Ike Perkins on the track lets loose with some great sounds looking to the future.Nice notes and artwork too

I was awestruck by the remastering job on these discs. Sometimes older recordings of boogie woogie piano sound a bit "tinkling." NOT these. They are robust, with lots of bottom. Just incredibly dynamic sound. I was especially blown away by the 2 mid-1950s Meade Lux Lewis albums included on the first disc. Put that disc on a good home stereo system, turn the volume up, and you'll think Meade Lux Lewis is there is the living room with you. You can practically FEEL - not just hear - him pounding the keys, especially his left hand. If you like boogie woogie piano, grab this one! (And play it loud)

Just didn't click with me.

As a gift

great Boogie Woogie Music

Two GREAT 1950s albums by Meade Lux Lewis, plus vintage Ammons, Johnson and Yancey....how can you go wrong? In addition, the original album liner notes, the original cover art and Bill Russell's 1939 essay on boogie woogie is printed in the booklet. This release is a superb introduction to boogie woogie piano, and a gem even for more seasoned listeners.

Wasn't quite as good as I hoped

Many aficionados of jazz are familiar with the great "boogie" pianists and their compatriots who played "barrelhouse" or "stride" all different genres to the expert. Many of these pianists had recorded careers starting in the 1920s e.g.,Willie The Lion, Pinetop Smith etc. The notable period for "Boogie Woogie" was probably a bit later into the 1940s when the Ammons and Johnson recordings here were produced.The earliest recordings here are those of Jimmy Yancey (1939). There are few recordings by Yancey, and everyone is a treasure. My favourite is "At The Window" (not included here). Yancey is almost beyond category. His style is unique. Of course his main "career" was groundsman at the Chicago White Sox baseball ground. He got the odd job playing piano in drinking parlours or at rent parties. The recordings here are a valuable addition to other material available elsewhere. Both Lewis and Ammons were taxi drivers and part-time pianists before being commercially "discovered".The Ammons / Johnson recordings are from the forties, obviously recorded for 78rpm (the L.P. wasn't available until the early 1950s). The Lewis recordings come from the mid 1950s, and were obviously cut for vinyl LP.For anyone wanting a collection of "classic" piano music in the "Boogie" style this is a valuable asset. Overall there are 42 tracks; probably best not played in one sitting. By the way, these are not all piano solo recordings. Other instruments are on some of the tracks, but the majority are solo (duet) piano perhaps with drum accompaniment.Finally the recordings have been cleaned up admirably by Avid engineers, and accompanying booklet first class.

I have recently got into boogie woogie piano after watching a programme about big bands during the war and the origins of the music. Fantastic value, I really love this collection and am very pleased with it!

good listening.

good product and service thank you

Good quality recording.