Earl Hines: Eight Classic Albums 1951-1961

One of the most influential figures in the development of jazz piano and, according to one major source; 'one of a small number of pianists whose playing shaped the history of jazz', Earl Hines was born on December 28th 1903. In 1925, Hines moved to Chicago. In the poolroom at Chicago's Musicians' Union Hines met Louis Armstrong. They became good friends and Armstrong joined Hines in Carroll Dickerson's band at the Sunset Cafe. In 1927, this became Louis Armstrong's band under the musical direction of Hines. Armstrong and Hines then recorded what are often regarded as some of the most important jazz records ever made. On December 28, 1928, Hines opened at Chicago's Grand Terrace Cafe leading his own big band, the pinnacle of jazz ambition at the time, and for the next 12 years and through the worst of the Great Depression and Prohibition, Hines' band was The Orchestra at The Grand Terrace. From there, Hines and his band broadcast on open mikes over many years, sometimes seven nights a week, coast-to-coast across America - Chicago being well placed to deal with the U.S. live-broadcasting time-zone problem. In early 1948, Hines joined up again with Armstrong in what became the Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars 'small-band'. Next, back as leader again, Hines took his own small combos around the States. In 1954, he toured his then seven-piece group nationwide but, at the start of the jazz-lean 1960s, Hines settled home in Oakland, California, opened a tobacconist's, and came close to giving up the profession. He didn't of course, being persuaded out of retirement in 1964 by his manager who saw to it that Hines was 'rediscovered' after as series of recitals in New York, and from then until his death in 1983 he recorded endlessly. This 4 CD collection features eight complete Earl Hines albums, which represent best the huge range of music Hines recorded during his long and varied career, and includes some of his best solo albums. -amazon.com

Disc: 1 1. Rosetta 2. When I Dream Of You 3. You Can Depend On Me 4. Diane 5. Velvet Moon 6. I Hadn'T Anyone Till You 7. These Foolish Things 8. 'Deed I Do 9. Deep Forest 10. Everything Depends On You 11. Am I Too Late 12. Blues For Tatum 13. In San Francisco 14. Ann 15. You Can Depend On Me 16. When I Dream Of You 17. R.R. Blues 18. Straight To Love 19. Piano Man 20. My Monday Disc: 2 1. Basin Street Blues 2. Weather Bird (Rag) 3. No, Papa, No 4. Muggles 5. St. James Infirmary 6. Tight Like This 7. West End Blues 8. Skip The Gutter 9. Two Deuces 10. Sugar Foot Strut 11. Squeeze Me 12. Don'T Jive Me 13. Jitterbug Waltz 14. Black And Blue 15. Blue Turning Grey Over You 16. Honeysuckle Rose 17. Squeeze Me 18. Ain'T Misbehavin' 19. Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now 20. I Can'T Give You Anything But Love 21. I'M Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter) Disc: 3 1. Hollywood Hop 2. If I Had You 3. I Can'T Believe That You'Re In Love With Me 4. Nice Work If You Can Get It 5. Almost Like Being In Love 6. The Web 7. A Jumpin' Something 8. I'M A Little Blackbird Looking For A Bluebird 9. Humoresque 10. Pennies From Heaven 11. New Orleans 12. Gone With The Wind 13. Love Is Just Around The Corner 14. You'Re Getting To Be A Habit With Me 15. Hallelujah 16. I Got It Bad 17. Royal Garden Blues 18. Save It Pretty Mama 19. If I Could Be With You 20. Walkin' My Baby Back Home 21. Moonlight In Vermont 22. Makin' Whoopee 23. Muskrat Ramble 24. Am I Wasting My Time On You Disc: 4 1. Saint Louis Blues Boogie-Woogie 2. Tea For Two 3. Stealin' Apples 4. Willow Weep For Me 5. I Can'T Believe That You'Re In Love With Me 6. Rosetta 7. Like When The Saints 8. Satin Doll 9. Manhattan 10. You Can Depend On Me 11. Love Me Or Leave Me 12. The Song Is Ended 13. Monday Date 14. Bill Bailey, Won'T You Please Come Home 15. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans 16. Lonesome Road 17. Squeeze Me 18. Limehouse Blues 19. West End Blues 20. Yes Sir, That'S My Baby 21. Caution Blues 22. Mandy, Make Up Your Mind 23. A Closer Walk With Thee 24. Clarinet Marmalade -amazon.com

Price: $29.98