Rating:  -
I am a jazz guitarist, music salesman, and record collector. So, I was obviously excited when I heard about this reissue. Charlie Christian is arguably the most important jazz guitarist of all time, and he was certainly the first great electric guitarist (regardless of genre).
Sadly, I must say that I agree that the packaging is miserable. As previous reviewers have complained, some of the cds skipped as a result of the blemishes caused by the foam packaging. My solution was to purchase a cheap ($12) cd cleaner (all of the blemishes were superficial and not permanent). I also tore out the foam (which is glued in) and put the cds on blank trays, which fit conveniently in the "amp" (Note: Should you choose to do this, you will have to remove the tray from the rest of the jewel case).
Its such a shame that Columbia packaged the set this way, because it is such a wonderful and important release. The remastering is truly remarkable, stunning in fact. Comparing these discs to the single cds which Columbia first issued close to 20 years ago, one hears so much detail. For example, there is a clarient obbligati from Benny Goodman in "Six Appeal" which is inaudible on the single cd. Definetly an essential purchase, just beware of the packaging.
Rating: -
Any guitar player must have this, period. This is one of the first electric guitarist, and yet, this is as good as the electric guitar can get. Charlie Christian is a titan, not only for the guitar but for jazz in general. Be-bop? Just listen to this guy and you'll understand the connection bewteen the old swing jazz and the new thing that was coming. Charlie knew it all along. The alterante takes are also essential, like Bird alternate takes, each one has a different solo and must be heard and compared and studied to get an idea of the genious of this man. The packaging, while beautiful is stupid, you need to take your CDs into jewel cases to prevent damage. But all is forgiven for the amazing sound quality, breathtaking. All stars, five star release!!
Rating:  -
All previous reviewers who trashed the packaging are right. Not only is it highly incovenient but it actually leaves a greasy film on the surface of the CD that is in the foam. Needless to say I was very dissapointed when I got home, unwrapped the brand new (expensive) box set, placed the first CD in my CD player and it immediately started skipping. When I removed the CD I noticed that an entire section of the CD had a greasy / stickly film on it. I surmised this was from the foam and verified this assumption by check the other CDs, and they all had the same problem. This was not a coating of dusty or something easily cleaned. Amazingly poor package design. I work for a medical device company and our packaging is subjected to extensive testing any time we change it to make sure it will withstand vibration, shock, drop, aging and the extremes of temperature the devices might be used in. You would think that, while it need not be as extensive for CD packaging, they would do similar work before launching entirely new packaging for a CD box set. Utter crap. Someone should lose their job for this one.
Rating:  -
The 4 CD mini Gibson Amp 'box-set'leaves off genuine off vinyl 78, and Lp 'harder-to-get' Charlie Christian/Benny Goodman recordings. Legacy states "MASTER TAKES", but absolutely fails to research deep into Charlie Christian's recording history.
Columbia vinyl 2Lp 30779, (1972), and Columbia 78rpm C -102 along with the Columbia "Sextet" Cds leave legacy far behind.
The Wang Wang Blues -78rpm isn't in the 4CD set, and there are far too many 'false-starts', which Benny Goodman discarded for a good reason. Star Dust is only about 3 minutes, it's 8 minutes on vinyl. There is even In-studio handclapping after some tunes.
I have the 78s, many Col. Lps, and there is no "Studio-Live" takes. This 4 CD box could have, and should have been much better in information, content and genuine Charlie Christian guitar stylings. The 2 readily available BG Sextet Cds are a better purchase idea, but there are still those super hard-to-get vinyl Lp tracks, which ARE "The Master Takes", left Off the legacy/Sony box set. Musicologist's suggestion, try to get the vinyl Lps. Skip this misleading 4 CD set of various tracks, + handclapping = NOT "Good Enough To Keep", (AirMail Special).
Try the 2 Benny Goodman/Charlie Christian Columbia CDs, Amazon has both, and most of the Benny Goodman Sextet 'takes' are Master Takes, and "Good Enough To Keep!"
Rating: -
If Charlie Christian played on it, -Buy it! Charlie Christian RULES!
Andrew A Honolulu
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