Artist: Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz

Artist: Lionel Hampton

Maria made it happen, 2005-03-31

An interesting re-issue of a Hampton LP recorded when the band visited Spain in 1956. Of the ten tracks, three are listed as Hampton's quintet, Spain, Tenderly and Toledo Blade (after the Spanish city and American newspaper) but they all feature the castanet playing of Maria Angelica and she is the reason I like this CD. Castanets are not the sort of instrument that comes to mind when thinking of jazz but Maria varies the rhythm and intensity of playing and I think she really adds something to these tracks, just hear 'Bop City Flamenco' or Toledo Blade'.

The band features some of the regulars that have been with Hampton for years, Ed Mullen, Bobby Plater, Eddie Chamblee and of course, guitarist Billy Mackel and their playing shows the grittiness that is part of the Hampton big band sound. This CD is worth getting for some good swinging big band jazz from the Fifties (though unfortunately without any bonus tracks) and a chance to hear the amazing Ms Angelica liven things up.

Artist: Lionel Hampton

Artist: Lionel Hampton, Oscar Peterson

Artist: Lionel Hampton Quintet

Lionel Hampton recorded The Quintet in 1954 and its appearance on a separate CD is most welcome, especially if funds do not run to the 5-CD Complete Quartets/Quintets with Oscar Peterson which collects all the vibist's work with Oscar Peterson during that year. Here the two are joined by Ray Brown and Buddy Rich on bass and drums and clarinet virtuoso Buddy De Franco. Rich was not always ideal for Norman Granz's small-group sessions, but he is perfect here, as is the often denigrated De Franco, who constantly impresses both in solo and in his interplay with the leader and Peterson. The ethos of the date is largely extrovert, which is hardly surprising in view of Hampton's legendary exuberance, but there is much subtlety amid the swinging élan--notably on "These Foolish Things", where vibes and clarinet weave separately enchanting melodic variations. Lovely things occur too on "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Je Ne Sais Pas", while if it's uninhibited stomping power you're after, look no further than "Flying Home". Goodness knows how many thousands of times Hampton has played that war-horse over his six-decade career, but this 17-minute reading is as fresh as tomorrow....
Simply the Best, 2008-07-04
This is an outstanding recording. Flying Home lasts for about 17 minutes - this is a total joy, with contributions from some of the most outstanding jazz musicians of all time. When the piece culminates with Hampton himself playing vibraphone, I felt a degree of satisfaction I have experienced on only few occassions. I cannot rate this album highly enough.

Artist: Lionel Hampton

When it comes to big bands, most jazz critics talk about Ellington as being the longest-lived. They conveniently forget the brawling, crude but hugely vibrant and influential Lionel Hampton outfit, which even today thunders on, close on 60 years later. This collection starts in 1937, five years prior to Hampton's big band, with selections from a breathlessly brilliant series of all-star small-group sessions he led for RCA Victor which should be in anyone's collection. Hampton began recording with his big band in 1942 and soon hit with "Flying Home", featuring Illinois Jacquet on a tenor sax solo which helped shape popular jazz and blues for the next decade. It also set the pattern for Hampton's own group, encouraging this natural showman to pull out all of the stops all of the time. The compilation selects sides up to December 1949, including the equally rampant 1944 "Flying Home No.2", featuring Arnett Cobb out-Jacqueting Jacquet. There are quieter moments in this set, but the whole point of Hampton is raunch and strut. Although this set doesn't benefit from the greatest of transfers from the original 78s, it is divine stuff, at a fantastic price, brilliantly packaged and annotate...
A true master., 2001-11-11
Lionel Hampton is a true master of percussion and despite decades of fierce competition none have been able to surpass his mastery. This box set is a fantastic collection of his lifes works and is a must for all Jazz fans.

Artist: Hampton Lionel

Five decades later and still swinging, 2004-08-15



Lionel Hampton recorded this super CD (and volume two) in Paris during a 1955 European trip and both CDs are unusual in that they feature long tracks, up to twelve minutes on 'A la French' (and fourteen for 'I cover the waterfront' on the second CD) which allow the musicians to develop their improvisations.

The ten musicians with Hampton are French except for Benny Bailey and Nat Adderley from the Hampton orchestra and they all contribute some beautiful playing. One reason I like these two discs is the rhythm section (Sacha Distel is on guitar) which never intrudes but supports the rest of the group.

Hampton's playing throughout is superb and on the ten minute 'Zebu' he plays with just the rhythm section, improvising with Distel and pianist Rene Urtreger for extended choruses. The uptempo 'Voice of the North' and 'Crazy Rhythm' gives everyone a chance to shine, even French horn (was this a jazz first?) player Dave Amram.

I originally bought these tracks on two French Felsted LPs in the late fifties and played them into the ground so I'm particularly pleased that they are now on CD. This is swinging jazz, so good that you don't want it to end!

Artist: Lionel Hampton

Easy going jazz performances in extended jam sessions., 2001-06-27
Recorded 1955, in Paris, this CD and the companion volume one are unusual in that they feature long tracks (up to fourteen minutes)which allow the musician's to improvise and develop their solos. Hampton's playing is suburb and he seems to inspire the French modern jazz players, shouting encouragement in the background on some tracks. One reason I love these two CDs is the rhythm section, the guitar, bass and drums never intrude but support the players, Sacha Distel on guitar provides some beautiful solos as does Rene Urtreger on piano. 'I Cover The Waterfront' (fourteen minutes)medium slow tempo and 'Red Ribbon' (nine minutes)brisk medium tempo are a celebration of the essence of jazz, relaxed and swinging. This is jazz that you don't want to end,I bought the original LPs in the early sixties and played them into the ground, thank goodness they have been re-issued.

Artist: Lionel Hampton

Artist: Lionel Hampton

The Complete Lionel Hampton Quartets and Quintets with Oscar Peterson on Verve is a five-CD box set as sumptuous as welcome--six-and-a-half hours of impeccably remastered music which restores to circulation no fewer than 15 10" and 12" albums recorded over a 12 month period from September 1953. Almost all the 50 tracks in question have been unavailable for a quarter of a century and nearly half of them for 40 years. Now they're available in impeccably remastered, medium-priced form. Apart from the leaders, just four other musicians are featured. Bassist Ray Brown and drummer Buddy Rich are omnipresent; Disc Three adds Buddy de Franco on clarinet and Disc Five adds Herb Ellis on guitar. All six acquit themselves immaculately. Brown is Brown--enough said. Rich was not always the ideal drummer for Norman Granz's small-band sessions but here he is perfect, complementing Hampton's own percussive approach in a fashion both sympathetic and enabling. De Franco has had his detractors too but this April 1954 date captures him at his very best. His interplay with both the leaders is constantly invigorating, as is the range of mood and texture and his melodic variations on "These Foolis...