I hadn't planned to buy "The Complete Verve Johnny Hodges Small Group Sessions" until Mosaic sent an email a few weeks ago alerting me that supplies of the six-CD box set were running low.
I decided to spend $100 on the set because because I still regret not buying Mosaic's limited edition Gerry Mulligan box set before it sold out. In reality, it wasn't much of a choice. I love Hodges, and though I own scores of Duke Ellington albums on which he played, I had only two of Hodges' solo albums. Moreover, the 10 Mosaic sets I'd previously bought are all exceptional. In fact, they're among my most treasured possessions.
I've rarely spent a hundred bucks more wisely. I wonder whether there's anything prettier than a duet between Johnny Hodges and Ben Webster. The saxophonists collaborate on a number of tracks on this album. Listening to the way Hodges interacts with the sassy trumpet playing of Roy Eldridge is special, too. You'll also find Hodges collaborating with Clark Terry, Jimmy Hamilton, Ray Nance, Harry Carney, Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Woode and Quentin Jackson — the bones of one of Ellington's best bands.
Mosaic was licensed to produce just 7,500 copies of the set. Get a copy while you can.
I decided to spend $100 on the set because because I still regret not buying Mosaic's limited edition Gerry Mulligan box set before it sold out. In reality, it wasn't much of a choice. I love Hodges, and though I own scores of Duke Ellington albums on which he played, I had only two of Hodges' solo albums. Moreover, the 10 Mosaic sets I'd previously bought are all exceptional. In fact, they're among my most treasured possessions.
I've rarely spent a hundred bucks more wisely. I wonder whether there's anything prettier than a duet between Johnny Hodges and Ben Webster. The saxophonists collaborate on a number of tracks on this album. Listening to the way Hodges interacts with the sassy trumpet playing of Roy Eldridge is special, too. You'll also find Hodges collaborating with Clark Terry, Jimmy Hamilton, Ray Nance, Harry Carney, Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Woode and Quentin Jackson — the bones of one of Ellington's best bands.
Mosaic was licensed to produce just 7,500 copies of the set. Get a copy while you can.
