Masters Of Boogie Piano - Five Classic Albums Plus (Yancey's Last Ride / Cat House Piano / Boogie Woogie Piano / 8 To The Bar / A Lost Recording Date)

Many aficionados of jazz are familiar with the great "boogie" pianists and their compatriots who played "barrelhouse" or "stride" all different genres to the expert. Many of these pianists had recorded careers starting in the 1920s e.g.,Willie The Lion, Pinetop Smith etc. The notable period for "Boogie Woogie" was probably a bit later into the 1940s when the Ammons and Johnson recordings here were produced.The earliest recordings here are those of Jimmy Yancey (1939). There are few recordings by Yancey, and everyone is a treasure. My favourite is "At The Window" (not included here). Yancey is almost beyond category. His style is unique. Of course his main "career" was groundsman at the Chicago White Sox baseball ground. He got the odd job playing piano in drinking parlours or at rent parties. The recordings here are a valuable addition to other material available elsewhere. Both Lewis and Ammons were taxi drivers and part-time pianists before being commercially "discovered".The Ammons / Johnson recordings are from the forties, obviously recorded for 78rpm (the L.P. wasn't available until the early 1950s). The Lewis recordings come from the mid 1950s, and were obviously cut for vinyl LP.For anyone wanting a collection of "classic" piano music in the "Boogie" style this is a valuable asset. Overall there are 42 tracks; probably best not played in one sitting. By the way, these are not all piano solo recordings. Other instruments are on some of the tracks, but the majority are solo (duet) piano perhaps with drum accompaniment.Finally the recordings have been cleaned up admirably by Avid engineers, and accompanying booklet first class.

This CD brings together some classic recordings from the masters of boogie-woogie piano. Many of these tracks I have had in the past but here they are clear using modern technology in a convenient format. A useful compilation to add to my collection.

This was the music which weaned me away from Winifred Atwell. A first-class example of the genre and a must for all blues piano collectors. Good transfers. The fifth star is missed only because of a certain monotony when played as an album.

Very enjoyable and great value for money.

good listening.

I have recently got into boogie woogie piano after watching a programme about big bands during the war and the origins of the music. Fantastic value, I really love this collection and am very pleased with it!

Husband loved his gift good quality sound

If you like boogie-woogie you will love this. Physical CDs along with MP3 downloads gives lots of ways to listen.