The Complete CBS Recordings Of Eddie Condon And His All Stars [5 CD, 1994] [FLAC]

 

Chicago jazz and Dixieland fans should go out of their way to pick up this limited-edition five-CD boxed set. The first four discs date from 1953-1957 and feature freewheeling performances (originally out on seven LPs) with such classic soloists as cornetists Wild Bill Davison and Bobby Hackett, trumpeter Billy Butterfield, trombonists Cutty Cutshall, Lou McGarity, and Vic Dickenson, clarinetists Edmond Hall, Peanuts Hucko, Bob Wilber, and Pee Wee Russell and tenorman Bud Freeman among others. Eddie Condon's comments during his band's waterlogged performance at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival alone are worth the price. The final disc of material (all from 1962) is somewhat commercial but still has its moments of interest. 

Eddie Condon, guitar ; his All-Stars (variously: Wild Bill Davison, cornet ; Cutty Cutshall, Lou McGarity, Vic Dickenson, trombone ; Edmond Hall, Peanuts Hucko, Pee Wee Russell, Bob WIlbur, clarinet ; Gene Schroeder, piano ; John Mortillaro, piano, celeste ; Walter Page, Al Hall, Leonard Gaskin, Jack Lesberg, bass ; Cliff Leeman, George Wettling, Buzzy Drootin, drums ; Billy Butterfield, trumpet ; Dick Cary, alto horn ; Bud Freeman, saxophone).