Number One Essentials News

The perennial Broadway musical My Fair Lady was based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. This release presents the complete recording by the original Broadway cast, taped in 1956. The recording showcases Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in the lead roles - Harrison would also star in the 1964 film, in which Audrey Hepburn replaced Julie Andrews. This Original Cast Recording went on to become the bestselling album in the United States in 1957 where it spent 15 weeks in the Billboard chart.

One of the finest singing brother duos of all time, The Everly Brothers ' close harmonies became one of the most identifiable sounds of the early rock & roll era of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Presented here are the very best of The Everly Brothers' pop charting-singles from the peak of their career. "There have been some wonderful harmony pairings in popular music: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Michael Stipe and Mike Mills, Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, everyone will pick their own; but there is something very special about family and especially sibling harmony. A modern group like The Proclaimers took their inspiration directly from the Everleys, who borrowed something in turn from The Louvin Brothers and other acts of the time. The voices were not just in tune but shared a very particular timbre. The brothers fell out in time, as brothers do, but when they sang - and there's no need to list the songs; they're stitched into the history of rock'n'roll - they didn't sound like two men, but like one." - Brian Morton "Phil and Don were the most beautiful sounding duo I ever heard. Both voices pristine and soulful." - Paul Simon

Sketches of Spain, inspired by Joaquin Rodrigo's 'Concierto de Aranjuez' was the third conceptual collaboration between Miles Davis and Gil Evans, the previous two being Miles Ahead (1957) and Porgy and Bess (1958). All three are essential recordings in their respective discographies and continue to be among their best selling and revisited albums to this day - over six decades since their original release.

The Penguin Guide to Jazz called 'Mingus Ah Um', "an extended tribute to ancestors" and awarded it with one of their rare Crown review ratings. It is, in fact, one of Charles Mingus' most personal albums, and produced a series of songs that have become standards. "Better Git It in Your Soul" is inspired by gospel singing and preaching of the sort that Mingus would have heard as a child growing up in Watts, Los Angeles, California, while "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" is a reference (by way of his favoured headgear) to saxophonist Lester Young who died shortly before the album was recorded. "First let's put your minds at ease about that weird title: it's a corruption of an imaginary Latin declension (mingusminga- mingum). Don't ask why. It seems to me that Mingus has now completely found himself, found a personal and vital direction. This is a consistently exciting and stimulating set." - ***** Leonard Feather, DownBeat

The complete LP + 2 bonus tracks - limited edition pressing on 180g vinyl

Miles Davis' quintet formed in 1955 is widely regarded as one of the greatest combos in jazz history. Miles was recording for the independent jazz label Prestige at the time, but after the quintet's success at the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival, Miles received a substantial offer from the recording giant Columbia. 'Round About Midnight was his first album for Columbia.

"First, let me say that you should buy this LP immediately. Perhaps even two copies, since you may wear out one playing it and you will want another. This is the kind of album to which one returns time and time again because it is, in its way, a perfect thing, a slice of modern jazz conceived and executed in the very best style." - ***** Ralph J. Gleason, DownBeat




d 'Round Midnight Prestige Version




d 'Round Midnight [Prestige Version]




[d] a4 'Round Midnight [Prestige Version]




[d] a4 | 'Round Midnight [Prestige Version]

Porgy and Bess is a stunning orchestral collaboration where Miles Davis brings depth, blues feeling, and lyricism to George Gershwin's opera. Arranged and conducted by Gil Evans , the album features a large ensemble that frames Miles' trumpet with rich, cinematic textures. Highlights like 'Summertime', 'Buzzard Song', and 'It Ain't Necessarily So' highlight its dramatic scope and emotional power

This 18- track selection spans Edith Piaf' s career from the years 1946 to 1961. It includes all of her big hits, such as 'La Vie en rose', 'Non, je ne regrette rien', 'Hymne a l'amour', 'Milord', 'La Foule', 'L'Accordeoniste', and 'Padam Padam', among many others. Regarded as France's national chanteuse, singer songwrite, and actress Edith Piaf (1915-1963), also became one of the country's greatest international stars. Her music was often autobiographical with her songs reflecting her own personal life. Piaf's specialties were the chanson and torch ballads, particularly those of love, loss, and sorrow.

















[q] Le Chevalier De Paris [aka Les Pommiers Doux]

After being fired by Miles Davis and traveling to Philadelphia to combat his drug addiction in 1957, John Coltrane accepted an invitation from Thelonious Monk to join his quartet. They famously played at New York's Five Spot Cafe and despite the exquisite quality of the band's music, it yielded few recordings and Coltrane's tenure with Monk only lasted six months. Produced by Orrin Keepnews for his label Milestones, the album is compiled from sessions recorded during April, June, and July of 1957. It wasn't released until 1961 though, four years after the sessions took place, and after Coltrane had become a leader and jazz star in his own right.



[c] OFF MINOR [tk 4]


[f] EPISTROPHY [alt tk]
[g] FUNCTIONAL [alt tk]
[h] OFF MINOR [master]

Moanin’ in the Moonlight, Wolfs erstes Langspielalbum aus dem Jahr 1958, versammelte ein Dutzend
Singles, die er im Laufe des vorangegangenen Jahrzehnts aufgenommen hatte, darunter die Favoriten
„Smokestack Lightnin’“, „Evil“ und „How Many More Years“.
Holen Sie sich den Sound des größten Blues-Labels Amerikas in High Fidelity mit der Chess Records 75th
Anniversary Series nach Hause. Diese audiophilen Neuauflagen klassischer Alben und Compilations aus der
Chess-Diskografie wurden von den originalen Analogbändern remastert und bei Quality Record Pressings
(QRP) auf 180-Gramm-Vinyl gepresst. Jede Platte ist in einer Tip-On-Gatefold-Hülle aus hochwertigem
Karton verpackt.







g 7 The Red Rooster [aka Little Red Rooster]







[g] 7 The Red Rooster [aka Little Red Rooster]

"Little Girl Blue, released in 1957, was Nina Simone's first studio recording ever. It was originally issued on the Bethlehem label and features the singer/ pianist backed by bassist Jimmy Bond (who had been a member of the Chet Baker Quartet among other groups) and drummer Albert ""Tootie"" Heath, one of the celebrated Heath brothers (the other two being saxophonist Jimmy Heath, and bassist Percy Heath). Many of the tracks from this LP would become true classics, among them her perennial version of ""My Baby Just Cares For Me"".

THE COMPLETE ALBUM + 3 BONUS TRACKS - 180-GRAM VIRGIN VINYL -
LIMITED EDITION"

"Chicago became a center for electric blues from 1948 on, when Muddy Waters recorded his first success: ""I Can't Be Satisfied."" But Waters, born McKinley Morganfield was more than a pioneer in the Chicago electric blues scene. He was a great singer of American vernacular music - a vocal artist of astonishing power, range, depth, and subtlety. Presented here is his complete LP The Best of Muddy Waters, a greatest hits album released by Chess Records in April
1958. The twelve songs were originally issued as singles between 1948 and 1954 and most appeared in Billboard magazine's top 10 Rhythm & Blues Records charts.
THE COMPLETE ALBUM +
4
BONUS TRACKS - 180-GRAM VIRGIN VINYL - LIMITED EDITION"

Starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, Breakfast at Tiffany's was one of the most popular and iconic films in the history of American cinema. This release presents Henry Mancini's complete album Breakfast at Tiffany's. As a bonus Audrey Hepburn's version of "Moon River" from the film (both singing and accompanying herself on guitar) has been added. The complete album +1 Bonus track - 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl - Limited Edition.

The complete LP + 6 bonus tracks - limited edition pressing on 180g vinyl

Widely regarded as the finest female country singer of all time, Patsy Cline achieved
icon status following her tragic premature death at age 30 in 1963. Presented here is
one of Patsy Cline's best albums, Showcase (1961), originally released by the Decca
label. It boasts such important hits as 'Crazy', 'I Fall to Pieces' and 'Walkin' After
Midnight.
Featuring guitar legend Grady Martin, bassist Bob Moore, pianist Floyd Cramer, The
Jordanaires, this special edition of Showcase features six bonus tracks, including the
unforgettable 'She's Got You' and 'You Belong to Me, constituting a true Patsy Cline
greatest hits release.
"Patsy is and perhaps will always be the standard bearer for all female country
singers."- Tammy Wynette








[h] Walkin' After Midnight [first Version]

The complete LP + 2 bonus tracks - limited edition pressing on 180g vinyl

Although Chet Baker and Bill Evans were both highly lyrical and introspective players who could have made a fabulous partnership, they only ever recorded together on a couple or so occasions. By the time the recordings here were made, Chet Baker had been a star for less than a decade and this wholly instrumental album presents him accompanied by other great jazz stars with whom he would also rarely play and record with again.

"Chet Baker's penultimate session for Riverside produced an all-star lineup to support him, including jazz heavyweights Pepper Adams, Bill Evans, and Kenny Burrell. Each of them makes important contributions to the session. A good place to hear Baker's special way with the horn is made even more attractive with the presence and contributions of top jazz artists." - ***** Dave Nathan, AllMusic

Ella & Louis Again (1957) features Fitzgerald and Armstrong's vocals and trumpet, backed by Oscar Peterson Quartet.

Besides achieving a very personal and characteristic sound, John Coltrane opened the way to free jazz.

Songwriter and performer Sam Cooke (1931-1964) was one of the most popular and influential black singers to emerge in the late 50s.

The complete album + one bonus track - 180-gram virgin vinyl includes especially prepared essay by jazz writer Brian Morton.

ALL-TIME GREATEST HITS - 20 TRACKS - 180g VIRGIN VINYL - LIMITED EDITION

Specially prepared liner notes by renowned music writer Brian Morton. Ray Conniff (1916-2002) was a powerful arranger and trombonist who created a subtle combination of big band jazz with the most varied genres of pop music. He became successful early in his career and his music is still played and admired. Presented here are twenty of his all-time greatest hits. "Don't make art for other artists or 'intellectuals', make art for people - and if you can touch just one person in a lifetime and make a difference - you have succeeded" -
Ray Conniff

Specially prepared liner notes by renowned music writer Brian Morton. Brazilian singer/ song writer Joao Gilberto was a legend of bossa nova. While Antonio Carlos Jobim set the standard for the creation of bossa nova in the mid-'50s (with songs like The Girl from Ipanema and Desafinado), it was Gilberto who brilliantly reimagined defined the genre.

In 1959 Gilberto presented his first LP, Chega de Saudade presented here. The title song turned into a massive hit, launching Gilberto's career and the bossa nova craze.

"In 1959, before I left my hometown, I heard Joao Gilberto. And hearing Joao Gilberto was a revolution in my mind; it was an enlightenment, really. I knew that something had to happen, something was already happening, and that Brazil could be freer and bigger and could make some kind of original contribution for world
civilization." - Caetano Veloso (Brazilian singer/composer)

Specially prepared liner notes by renowned music writer Brian Morton.

After an impasse in which she mostly recorded with tightly arranged groups (for Commodore) and big bands with strings (for Decca), Billie Holiday signed her last long-term contract with Norman Granz who tried to repeat the small group magic of her early days.

Solitudewas among Billie's first studio sessions for Granz and features the singer backed by Charlie Shavers, Flip Phillips, the Oscar Peterson Trio, and Alvin Stoller or J. C. Heard.

COMPLETE ALBUM + 8 BONUS TRACKS -180g VIRGIN VINYL - LIMITED EDITION

Specially prepared liner notes by renowned music writer Brian Morton. From his early days as a pioneer of rockabilly and rock & roll in the 1950s, to his decades as an international representative of country music, to his resurgence to fame as both a living legend and an alternative country icon in the 1990s, Johnny Cash has influenced countless artists and left a body of work matched only by the greatest artists of his time. This LP presents some of his greatest hits, including the classic I Walk the Line.

Johnny Cash (1932-2003) developed a unique sound from his early Sun recordings with the Tennessee Two. His unusually deep, resolutely un-decorous voice rode atop the boom- chicka- boom guitar style invented by his right- hand man Luther Perkins and a rockabilly-ish slap bass by Marshall Grant.

Specially prepared liner notes by renowned music writer Brian Morton.
Canadian pianist Glenn Gould (1932-1982) became one of the best- known and
most celebrated classical pianists of the 20th century and particularly renowned
as an interpreter of the keyboard music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Gould's
playing was distinguished by his remarkable technical proficiency and his
capacity to articulate the polyphonic texture of Bach's music.
This release presents Gould's complete original 1955 rendition of Bach's Goldberg
Variations (Columbia, ML-5060). The work launched the pianist's career as a
renowned international player and became one of the most well- known piano
recordings. Sales were astonishing for a classical album at that time - 40,000
copies by 1960, and more than 100,000 by the time of Gould's death in 1982.

Recorded in December 1959, Portait in Jazz was Bill Evan's third album as a leader.