Carter,Benny His Eight Finest Albums CD

Born 8th August 1907, Benny Carter - American jazz saxophonist, clarinettist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader - was, with Johnny Hodges, the pioneer of alto-sax. From the beginning of his career in the 1920s he was a popular arranger, having written chart hits for Fletcher Henderson's big band that shaped the swing style. He had an unusually long career that lasted into the 1990s. During the '80s and '90s, he was nominated for eight Grammy Awards, which included receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. But it was during the period from the mid-1950s until the early-1960s that Carter produced his finest albums, during which time he bought in a staggering array of up and coming jazz musicians to accompany him on such. Indeed, his '55 album, New Jazz Sounds (Nogran, 1955) featured such names as Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Buddy Rich amongst it's line-up. Likewise, his follow-up, Urbane Jazz (Verve, 1957) featured Roy Eldridge on piano and double bass, and Alvin Stoller on drums. Jazz Giant (Contemporary, 1958) was among Carter's very finest releases, of which jazz critic Scott Yanow said, "a particularly strong septet session" and stated, "This timeless music is beyond the simple categories of 'swing' or 'bop' and should just be called 'classic.'" The record featured the likes of Ben Webster, Andre Previn, Barney Kessel and Shelley Manne among it's line-up and the album remains a favourite among fans and critics alike. This 4 CD set contains eight of Benny Carter's best ever records, all beautifully remastered, and presented elegantly in this new box set. Providing a superb starting point for those beginners wishing to extend their musical appreciation of this maverick genius, and a welcome reminder for those already somewhat versed, this compilation will prove a delight for anyone and everyone ready to swing.

1. Just One Of Those Things 2. Marriage Blues 3. Angel Eyes 4. That Old Black Magic 5. The Song Is You 6. This Can't Be Love 7. Frenesi 8. I Still Love Him So 9. The Moon Is Low 10. I Missed My Hat 11. Ballad Medley 12. Polite Blues 13. Close Your Eyes 14. Where's Art 15. I Don't Know 16. Striding 17. Wailing 18. Old Fashioned Love 19. I'm Coming Virginia 20. A Walkin' Thing 21. A Walkin' Thing Blue Lou 22. Ain't She Sweet 23. How Can You Lose 24. Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me 25. Thou Swell 26. My Blue Heaven 27. Just Imagine 28. If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight) 29. Sweet Lorraine 30. Who's Sorry Now' 31. Laugh, Clown, Laugh 32. All Alone 33. Mary Lou 34. In A Little Spanish Town 35. Somone To Watch Over Me 36. A Monday Date 37. June In January 38. February Fiesta 39. March Wind 40. I'll Remember April 41. One Morning In May 42. June Is Busting Out All Over 43. Sleigh Ride In July 44. August Moon 45. September Song 46. Something For October 47. Swingin' In November 48. Roses In December 49. And The Angels Sing 50. Everything I Have Is Yours 51. Understand 52. All Or Nothing At All 53. I'll Never Smile Again 54. If I Loved You 55. Far Away Places 56. I Should Care 57. For All We Know 58. I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance 59. The One I Love 60. Moon Of Manakoora 61. Honeysuckle Rose 62. The Midnight Sun Will Never Set 63. Crazy Rhythm 64. Blue Star 65. Cotton Tail 66. Body And Soul 67. Cherry 68. Doozy 69. Opening Blues 70. Lula 71. When Lights Are Low 72. You Can't Tell The Difference