Jazz Icons, Vol. 2 (8 DVD Box Set featuring Bonus Disc)
Starring: Various ArtistsStudio: Jazz Icons
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Box set, Black & White, NTSC
Running Time: 573 minutes
DVD Release: September 4th 2007
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DVD Review
Exclusive bonus disc: 12-page booklet, liner notes by Ashley Kahn; 35 min. disc featuring rare performances - John Coltrane "I Want to Talk About You" (Sweden 1962), Dexter Gordon "I Want More" (Norway 1964), Dave Brubeck "Unisphere" (Finland 1964), Sarah Vaughan "The Shadow of Your Smile," "What Now My Love," "I Had a Ball" (Sweden 1967)
User Reviews
Jazz Icons series 2 - Rating: 5/5
This is a product that is a must have for any Jazz lover. The very fact that the concerts were never released before is reason enough to buy the series, but as an insight into a past that many of us have only read about, the purchase is even more compelling. The quality of both series 1 and 2 is above par in every aspect. There can be only one recommendation, buy it and be thoroughly captivated.
unfortunately i never received it! - Rating: 1/5
seems like amazon has left me to twist in the wind with this one. how did you like it? i never received it!
Incredible! - Rating: 5/5
This is a historically significant collection of jazz videos! The visual and sound quality are excellent. Highly recommended!
Worth every penny - Rating: 5/5
I bought this set mainly for John Coltrane, the greatest musician I have ever heard. Naturally, I've listened to the Trane disc a bunch of times. Sometimes I started out watching with the intent to watch only 1 or 2 songs, but in the end I end up watching the whole thing again, I simply could not believe what I was watching and hearing. The 1960 set is actually the Miles Davis band (sans Miles), when John last toured with Miles. Stan Getz makes a one-off appearance with the band. As good as Stan is, this contrast between John & Stan just shows how miles ahead John was. He is the heavyweight champion. Stan looks towards John while he is soloing and can't believe what he's hearing either. The 1961 set features almost the classic quartet (Jimmy Garrision is not on board yet), as well as Eric Dolphy. McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones are the perfect match for John, as they are top-tier musicians in their own right and could easily lead their own bands. John's soloing is mesmerizing. It just doesn't seem that jazz could get any better ... the interplay and the solos are fantastic. But whoa, then there's the 1965 set, 4 years later. A LOT has changed. I can't really even describe it. John's career is like a supernova nearing the end. The intensity level is white-hot, the length of the solos are increasing, and the avant-garde aspects are creeping in. And yet, this is still the classic quartet (for a few more months). McCoy gives an impassioned solo in My Favorite Things. But the show belongs to John Coltrane, who redines virtuosity from year to year. I would NOT recommend newbies listen to the 1965 show first. You need to work your way up to it. The bonus disc features a single cut from a 1962 show.
I've watched a few of the other discs. The Duke Ellington set is IMMENSELY rewarding and I think it is fantastic. I will be watching that one multiple times. The other disc that I'll watch multiple times is the Charles Mingus set. I've also seen the Wes Montgomery, Sara Vaughn, and Dave Brubeck shows. In each of these were some great performances, though I'm less likely to watch these shows again.
All in all, easily worth the money.
Outstanding Vintage Jazz Performances - Rating: 5/5
This 8 DVD collection is outstanding, and given the age of the recordings, very decent - actually very good sound quality. Digital audio isn't necessary for an outstanding and very good sounding set of music ... Q.E.D.
But why is the first set, Jazz Icons (2006), so much more expensive, providing only one more DVD and costing $159.99 vs. $89.99?
I would pick up the first 9 DVD set as well if the cost were more reasonable.
