• List Price: $28.99  
• Your Price: $28.99
• In Stock: [{"available":"0"}]

You must login to place orders.




Not purchasing for a business? See our consumer site.

The Paramount Record Company is an enduring paradox - known for its cynicism and the inferiority of its production methods, it now represents one of the most important sources of early 20th century American popular music. Its blues catalogue has been of most interest to fans and collectors, which has detracted from the wealth of early Jazz material the label issued. Here, expertly compiled and annotated, is a selection of that early Jazz. While even the most painstaking remastering of Paramount sides can remove only some of their characteristic 'noise', we believe this collection is the best for sound that is currently available. Paramount's early success was in the blues market. Their first issued blues disc was Alberta Hunter's Don't Pan Me (featured here) which sold well enough to suggest that this was a profitable way to go. We commence with two classic tracks by Joe 'King' Oliver and his Creole Jazz Band, which at the time featured the emerging star Louis Armstrong. That high standard of musician continues throughout. Here you'll encounter early material by stars like Jelly Roll Morton, Lovie Austin, Ida Cox and Clarence Williams. Featured, too, are musicians like clarinetist Boyd Senter who are less well known but - on the evidence here - equally talented. The collection ends as it started - with a classic track from King Oliver. The band would soon be broken up and King Oliver would not record with such a prodigiously gifted band again. History was being made without any of those present realising it. We have raided the collection of Joe Bussard for some wonderful jazz, that can still be appreciated and enjoyed around ninety years after it was first heard.