Classic Albums Collection: 1955-1958

This is a nice, more-than-reasonably-priced collection of eight albums from 1955-58 by the legendary sax player as he neared the end of his life. Lester Young meshes well with the other musicians, who include, at different points throughout these discs, "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Roy Eldridge (trumpet), Herb Ellis (guitar), Oscar Peterson (piano), Buddy Rich (drums), and Teddy Wilson (piano) and gives them plenty of space to show their stuff. On the first two discs the tunes are kept mostly short and sweet, while on the final two discs they're stretched out, with many over eight minutes long. To me, the meat of this collection is the third disc, consisting of the albums Jazz Giants '56 and Pres and Teddy. I prefer the longer tunes but all eight albums are tremendous. "Pres's" style is so smooth & relaxed, he makes it seem like playing the sax (and, on disc 4, the clarinet) is easy!

I love all things Lester. All music here is previously released. Disc One tracks 1-8 was recorded in late 1954 - tracks #9-18 not sure probably 1952. Disc two tracks #1-12 were recorded in late 1953 while #13-17 were recorded in the fall of 1955 after a JATP tour and shortly before a Lester hospitalization. Disc three is all from January 1956 after Lester had "recovered" a bit and Norman Granz took advantage. Disc 4 with Lester clearly getting weaker was recorded in summer of "57 and '58. Obviously, Young is strongest on the earlier dates with the 1955 fall recordings with Rich, Edison, & Peterson Trio starting to reflect health issues on recordings. No matter I enjoy it all, particularly the '55 recordings. This complication is not "complete" and even though I have nearly all of this music I could not resist to pick up the little I did not. Great music and value here.

Love the albums. No vocals (as I prefer).

Great music and price. Missing are the liner notes from the original 8 albums which would have been so easy to include, and which may name the musicians etc.

Quite variable sound but a solid vale. Jazz Giants ‘56 is one of the finest albums ever produced.

I love this album! Let alone the incredibly low price for the 4 CDs of great music.

It's. A must have.

I hate to lower my rating because this is some great music. Unfortunately Disk 3 that contains the outstanding "Jazz Giants '56" has track 3 damaged. I bought a ton of music at once an didn't play this set within the 30 day return window. I promise you , I am an adult and didn't damage it.It is a great value and if you are 50s Lester Young fan. This is a great set. Shame on me for not getting to it sooner.

Sound is pretty good all the way through for albums of this vintage. Quite enjoyed the whole set with a preference for the 3 & 4th cd. New to LesterYoung, so I thought well worth checking out. Maybe too many really well known songs but hell - it makes really nice background music for a dinner party or such like, rather than a serious listen on an audiophile system in a darkened room!

What's to say! 4 CDs of Lester for a magic price! Brilliant!

Un músico que entendió perfectamente a Billie Holiday y que se movió siempre entre el estúpido pre-perjuicio racial del público blanco, el alcohol y las depresiones. Nadie como él, supo plasmar en los albores del Jazz clásico, la tristeza pero también la alegría. Un músico que es un mundo en sí mismo. Muy grande.

This is an excellent collection of Lester's later years. I enjoyed it a lot. My only complaint and the reason for 4 stars and not 5 is the fact that the lack of info. about support artists spoils the whole presentation. As a jazz collector I had to go on Google to obtain the info. I was looking for. Not a big deal, but there was space on the enclosed booklet where it could have been included. Dave T.

Good range of material presented on the "Prez".