AA.VV., The ultimate Gershwin (4 CD Box-Set), Ed. Pulse, 1998

This set includes some of the most historically significant recordings by  George Gershwin, played by great stars of music. The authenticity of these pieces really takes us back to their roots, and this can be a refreshing and somewhat humbling experience–especially after years of listening to the avant garde interpretations by Andre Previn and others. The sound quality is good for what it is, considering that these recordings are mostly over 80 years old.

Here’s the tracklist:

• CD 1 (The concert pieces)
  1. Rhapsody In Blue (1924) – Levant, Oscar
  2. Preludes For Piano No 1 – Gershwin, George
  3. Preludes For Piano No 2 – Gershwin, George
  4. Preludes For Piano No 3 – Gershwin, George
  5. Concerto In F For Piano And Orchestra I (1925) – Levant, Oscar & The New York Philharmonic
  6. Concerto In F For Piano And Orchestra II (1925) – Levant, Oscar & The New York Philharmonic
  7. Concerto In F For Piano And Orchestra III (1925) – Levant, Oscar & The New York Philharmonic
  8. American In Paris – Gershwin, George & The Victor Symphony Orchestra
  9. Cuban Overture – Whiteman, Paul & Rosa Lindae
• CD 2 (The songs)
  1. Swanee – Jolson, Al
  2. I’ll Build A Stairway To Paradise – Whiteman, Paul Concert Orchestra
  3. Somebody Loves Me (1) – Crosby, Bing
  4. Fascinating Rhythm – Gershwin, George & Fred Astaire/Adele Astaire
  5. Oh Lady Be Good – Kent, William
  6. Man I Love – Tucker, Sophie
  7. Clap Your Hands – Smith, ‘Whispering’ Jack (1)
  8. Someone To Watch Over Me – Gershwin, George
  9. It’s Wonderful (1) – Gershwin, George
  10. My One And Only (What Am I Gonna Do) – Smith, ‘Whispering’ Jack (1)
  11. How Long Has This Been Going On – Lee, Peggy & Benny Goodman Orchestra
  12. Liza (All The Clouds’ll Roll Away) – Jolson, Al
  13. Ridin’ My Time – Carlyle Cousins
  14. Embraceable You – Garland, Judy
  15. I Got Rhythm (1) – Nichols, Red & His Five Pennies/Dick Robertson
  16. But Not For Me Lee Wiley – Waller, Fats
  17. Summertime – Robeson, Paul
  18. I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ – Long, Avon
  19. They All Laughed – Astaire, Fred
  20. Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off – Astaire, Fred
  21. They Can’t Take That Away From Me – Dennis, Denny & Roy Fox
  22. Foggy Day – Grantham, Cyril & Geraldo Orchestra
  23. Nice Work If You Can Get It – Noble, Ray & His Orchestra/Fred Astaire
  24. Love Is Here To Stay – Melachrino, George
  25. Love Walked In – Melachrino, Georgen
• CD 3 (The Jazz bands)
  1. Rhapsody In Blue – Smith, Leroy & His Orchestra
  2. Somebody Loves Me – Henderson, Fletcher Orchestra
  3. I Got Rhythm – Redman, Don & His Orchestra
  4. Liza (1) – Henderson, Fletcher Orchestra
  5. Liza (2) – Tatum, Art
  6. Somebody Loves Me – Rollini, Adrian
  7. Lady Be Good (1) – Hawkins, Coleman
  8. Lady Be Good (2) – Quintette Du Hot Club De France
  9. I Got Rhythm (2) – Waller, Fats & His Rhythm Orchestra
  10. I Got Rhythm (3) – Norvo, Red & His Swing Sextet
  11. Lady Be Good (3) – Goodman, Benny Trio
  12. It’s Wonderful (2) – Trumbouer, Frank & His Orchestra
  13. Lady Be Good (4) – Jones-Smith Inc.
  14. I Got Rhythm (4) – Dorsey, Jimmy & His Orchestra
  15. They All Laughed – Dorsey, Tommy & His Orchestra
  16. They Can’t Take That Away From Me – Holiday, Billie & Her Orchestra
  17. Slap The Bass – Ink Spots
  18. I Got Rhythm (5) – Wells, Dicky
  19. Lady Be Good (5) – Wells, Dicky
  20. Liza (4) – Goodman, Benny Quartet
  21. Somebody Loves Me – Carter, Benny & His Orchestra
  22. I Got Rhythm (6) – Freeman, Bud Trio
  23. Lady Be Good (6) – Slim & Slam
• CD 4 (The Jazz bands)
  1. Liza (5) – Webb, Chick & His Orchestra
  2. Love Walked In (2) – Armstrong, Louis & His Orchestra
  3. It’s Wonderful – Goodman, Benny Quartet
  4. Lady Be Good – Basie, Count & His Orchestra
  5. Summertime – Bechet, Sidney Quintet
  6. Man I Love – Quintette Du Hot Club De France
  7. Lady Be Good (7) – Shaw, Artie & His Orchestra
  8. Do It Again – Calloway, Cab & His Orchestra
  9. Man I Love – Quintette Du Hot Club De France
  10. Lorelei – Rhodes, Doris & The Joe Sullivan Sentet
  11. I Got Rhythm (7) – Mendelssohn, Felix & His Hawaiian Serenaders
  12. Lady Be Good (8) – Wilson, Teddy & His Orchestra
  13. Lady Be Good (9) – Bechet, Sidney & His New Orleans Feetwarmers
  14. I Got Rhythm (8) – Metronome All Star Leaders
  15. Tengo Ritmo – Aleman, Oscar
  16. Liza – Tatum, Art Trio
  17. It’s Wonderful – Hawkins, Coleman Quintet
  18. Lady Be Good (10) – Bushkin, Joe Sextet
  19. It’s Wonderful – Condon, Eddie & His Orchestra
  20. It’s Wonderful – Shaw, Artie & His Orchestra
  21. Someone To Watch Over Me – Hawkins, Coleman & His Orchestra
  22. Foggy Day – Shaw, Artie & His Orchestra
  23. Lady Be Good (11) – Condon, Eddie & His Orchestra
  24. Someone To Watch Over Me – Quebec, Ike Swing Seven
  25. Somebody Loves Me – Powell, Bud Trio

Pubblicazione americana del 1998 in 4 CD contenuti in custodie in plastica apribili, protette da un cofanetto editoriale in cartoncino lucido fotografico.

Come Nuovo [non si notano danni, scritte, segni, urti o usure particolari che vadano evidenziate; dischi puliti e senza segni; custodie rigide senza urti, graffi o rovinature; cofanetto in ottimo stato, con minimi segni di vissuto ai bordi].