Concertos for Clarinet: Original Recordings 1937-1940

by Artie Shaw

Overview

At first glance one would assume that the big-band jazz compilation released by Naxos Jazz in 2005 under the heading of Concertos for Clarinet: Original Recordings 1937-1940 might actually be a collection of instrumentals that showcase the leader's woodwind. Instead, this is an 18-track "best-of" collection that includes vocals by Leo Scat Watson and Helen Forrest. There's nothing wrong with loosely applying the term "concerto" to jazz, but this application seems a bit careless. If by definition a concerto is a piece of music wherein a soloist moves in patterns that mingle, blend, or contrast with those being played by the orchestra, then most of the music reproduced here is concerto-like to some degree, whether or not Shaw included his oft-employed string section. The clarinetist performs with his orchestra as well as the Gramercy Five, dishing out jazz both sweet and hot. And yes, just like many another Shaw collection, this one does include his famous "Concerto for Clarinet." But the title of the album is misleading. ~ arwulf arwulf

Product Details

Release Date:	11/15/2005
Label:	Imports
UPC:	0636943280225
Rank:	254168

Tracks

1. Sweet Adeline
2. Afraid to Dream
3. Chant
4. The Blues
5. Shoot the Likker to Me, John Boy
6. Indian Love Call
7. Any Old Time
8. Non-Stop Flight
9. Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
10. Rosalie
11. Pastel Blue
12. Traffic Jam
13. Frenesi
14. Gloomy Sunday
15. Summit Ridge Drive
16. Star Dust
17. Dr Livingstone, I Presume
18. Concerto for Clarinet

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Artie Shaw   Primary Artist