Sonny Criss, "Complete Imperial Sessions"

[Peter Johnson]

Hey folks,

Just got an email from BN saying this is going OOP. Frankly (blasphemy!) I'd never heard of these recordings until I got this email. I love Criss' Prestige side (nonet/Birth of the New Cool--I think it was AOW back in early 2003), so I ask you, gentle readers:

Should I get this?

Thanks for the thoughts/recs.!

edited to correct terrible gaffe on the name of the album

Edited July 29, 2004 by Peter Johnson

[Dan Gould]

Peter,

Just this week I got to this set in my A-to-Z Sojourn. Excellent music! Guaranteed to satisfy.

[jlhoots]

Get it!!

[John L]

If you love the Prestige recordings, you should at least like these very much. They may not quite reach those heights, but sometimes they come pretty close.

[brownie]

Peter, get it before it disappears! This is superb music. Some of the very best Sonny Criss playing. Just him and three outstanding rhythm sections (Sonny Clark on two of them, Kenny Drew on the other one).

Never bought the BN double CD because I chased for those in vinyl days and they cost me a small fortune (Japanese LP reissues all, the Imperial originals were at unmentionable prices).

[JohnS]

Get it!!

Definitely, you get the bonus of Sonny Clark on two of the sessions. Some of the best Criss on record.

Edited July 29, 2004 by JohnS

[Hank]

Definitely pick this up before it's gone. I remember being among the choir of those calling for its reissue--it just seemed like a perfect package. In addition: Barney Kessel plays on the date with Kenny Drew and Larry Bunker plays vibes on one of the dates with Sonny Clark. I dig this as much as the Prestige stuff.

[king ubu]

I can't compare the music on this 2CD set with the later and more famous Criss dates, as I haven't explored them yet, but I'd definitely get it! Lots of beautiful music! And there's a few very nice guest spots by the late Barney Kessel, too.

ubu

[Peter Johnson]

Thanks for the feedback, guys; looks like I'm going to have to open the wallet again. This has been a baaaaad month...

[AmirBagachelles]

You can hear all of the cuts at many on-line stores, though not Amazon. Try www.jandr.com.

[DrJ]

Get it or regret it. While I personally prefer later (mid-70's) Criss by a large margin - he was more of an individual voice then - these older recordings feature an awful lot of exciting playing.

[J.A.W.]

Get it or regret it. While I personally prefer later (mid-70's) Criss by a large margin - he was more of an individual voice then - these older recordings feature an awful lot of exciting playing.

Seconded.

[.:.impossible]

Have you ordered yet? If not, GET IT!

[Brad]

Oh, get these by all means. Sonny Clark, Cole Porter. How can you go wrong. One of BN's better reissues.

[Peter Johnson]

Got it! On sale a Tower, lucky me.

Haven't listened to it yet, but I'll post some impressions here when I do.

Thanks all, for the recommendations!

[BruceH]

Peter, if you like Sonny Criss at all then I must urge you in all honesty to GET THIS as soon as possible. I guarentee you won't be sorry. This is the release that got me into Criss and it's not to be missed. Go, man!

[BruceH]

Oh. I now see you got it already. Never mind.

(But good move. You'll be glad you did.)