Sidney Bechet - Jazz Classics Vol. 1 & 2

The discography of Sidney Bechet is enormous.  Proper albums issued by labels are in the minority as there are hundreds of compilations which bring confusion and chaos to any chronological sense.  Many, if not most, add no value to his discography and are infact barely listenable.

So where does a person start if they want to listen to this prolific artist??  Well, they start here at the Crypt.  We have given you a few excellent posts which combined, give a wonderful summary to Bechet's storied music.  Basically, we have listened to tens of crappy albums so you don't have to.

Adding to essential Sidney Bechet listening, we are presenting you with two excellent volumes of Blue Note sides recorded in the late 30's through to the early 50's.  Jazz Classics were originally issued as two volumes both on 10 inch vinyl.  They were reissued in the mid 60's and given the full Blue Note treatment, including hip and modern covers designed by Miles Reid.  Thanks to the 12 inch format, we get some additional tracks which weren't on the original sides.  Between both volumes, the music was recorded in eight different sessions with a wide range of musicians.

The music is top shelf trad as only the great Sidney Bechet can deliver.  We are listening to his "comeback" years as he was supposed to be retired.  Trad jazz enjoyed a wave of interest during the 40's and 50's, so of course Bechet was considered a living legend and was drawn back into the business.  It was during this time that he recorded the infamous cut of "Summertime" for Alfred Lion, and jazz was never the same again.

So this music is important on all fronts - historically, technically... but most important it's just great toe tapping jazz by one of the genre's greatest.  If you aren't a fan of Bechet, or are looking for a starting point to enjoying his music, you have found it.  This pair of LPs were issued in 1968 and are super minty.  Any analog noise that you may hear is in the recording itself.  Wonderful fidelity as to be expected from anything with the Blue Note stamp.  It should be noted that both of these albums share the same back cover, therefore I used the same image for both.  In the album notes you will find the complete session info.  The albums have been remastered from mono to stereo.  These were ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  I hope this adds some warmth to your winter weekend... enjoy!!!

BLP 1201

A1 Muskrat Ramble
A2 Blue Horizon
A3 Weary Blues
A4 Summertime
A5 Blame It On The Blues
B1 Milenberg Joys
B2 Days Beyond Recall
B3 Salty Dog
B4 Dear Old Southland
B5 Weary Way Blues

Bass – John Williams* (tracks: A4), George "Pops" Foster* (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A5, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5)
Clarinet – Albert Nicholas (tracks: A5, B5)
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone – Sidney Bechet
Drums – Danny Alvin (tracks: A5, B5), Manzie Johnson (tracks: A1, A2, B1, B2, B4), Sidney Catlett(tracks: A4)
Drums, Vocals – Fred Moore* (tracks: A3, B3)
Guitar – Teddy Bunn (tracks: A4, B4)
Piano – Art Hodes (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A5, B3, B5), Cliff Jackson (tracks: B1, B2), Meade "Lux" Lewis(tracks: A4)
Trombone – George Lugg (tracks: A3, B3), Sandy Williams (tracks: B1, B2), Vic Dickenson (tracks: A1, A2)
Trumpet – Bunk Johnson (tracks: B1, B2), Max Kaminsky (tracks: A3, B3), Sidney De Paris (tracks: A1, A2)

BLP 1202

A1 St. Louis Blues
A2 Up In Sidney's Flat
A3 Lord, Let Me In The Lifeboat
A4 Pounding Heart Blues
A5 Changes Made
B1 High Society
B2 Jackass Blues
B3 Jazz Me Blues
B4 Blues For Tommy Ladnier
B5 Old Stack O'Lee Blues

Bass – John Williams* (tracks: A4, B4), George "Pops" Foster* (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A5 to B3, B5)
Clarinet – Albert Nicholas (tracks: B5)
Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone – Sidney Bechet
Drums – Danny Alvin (tracks: B5), Manzie Johnson (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B3), Sidney Catlett (tracks: A4, B4)
Drums, Vocals – Fred Moore* (tracks: B1, B2)
Guitar – Teddy Bunn (tracks: A4, B4)
Piano – Art Hodes (tracks: A1, B1 to B3, B5), Cliff Jackson (tracks: A2, A3), Don Kirkpatrick (2)(tracks: A5), Meade "Lux" Lewis (tracks: A4, B4)
Trombone – George Lugg (tracks: B1, B2), J.C. Higginbotham (tracks: A4, B4), Jimmy Archey (tracks: A5), Sandy Williams (tracks: A2, A3), Vic Dickenson (tracks: A1, B3)
Trumpet – Bunk Johnson (tracks: A2, A3), Frankie Newton* (tracks: A4, B4), Max Kaminsky (tracks: B1, B2), Sidney De Paris (tracks: A1, A5, B3)