Jazz Casual DVD (Count Basie, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie)

Starring:Count Basie, John Coltrane
Studio: Rhino / Wea
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Count Basie
A telling moment in this terrific Jazz Casual program occurs very early on, when host Ralph J. Gleason asks Count Basie the name of the first piece that the pianist-bandleader and his small group played. "I don't know," says Basie with a laugh. He's not being flip. "I Don't Know," as it eventually became known, is, like most of the other music Basie and company play here, nothing more or less than a blues jam, improvised on the spot. The "casual" label has never been more appropriate, as this 1968 performance finds Basie at his most relaxed. He smokes a lot. He talks a lot: about the influence of Duke Ellington and such legendary pianists as Fats Waller, Pete Johnson, and Meade Lux Lewis; about the genesis of "One O'Clock Jump," the Basie band's signature tune; and about his own playing style, which he self-effacingly calls "dated." And, best of all, he plays a lot, accompanied by the superb rhythm section of Sonny Payne on drums, Norman Keenan on bass, and the redoubtable Freddie Green on guitar. "I never get tired of playing the blues," Basie tells Gleason, and in the hands of these pros, you'll never get tired of listening to it. Basie's blues are inimitable: effortlessly swinging, completely cool, at once laconic and driving, danceable, humorous, just unmistakably right, with the rhythm players always on the beat and Basie himself the master of what not to play. This is great stuff, and highly recommended. --Sam Graham

Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie--trumpeter, bandleader, entertainer--was 43 and still at the peak of his powers when he appeared with his quintet on Ralph J. Gleason's performance-interview TV program, Jazz Casual, in early 1961. And while his style had become somewhat cooler since the days when he and Charlie Parker led jazz's bebop revolution, this four-song set is as identifiably Dizzy as his trademark up-tilted horn and ballooning cheeks. The tunes, from Benny Golson's mid-tempo "Blues After Dark" to Dizzy's own "Lorraine" (with an exotic, sinuous melody reminiscent of his more famous "Night in Tunisia"), are invariably swinging, with fine solo turns by Gillespie, saxophonist-flutist Leo Wright, and a pianist named Lalo Schifrin. That's the same Lalo Schifrin who within a few short years would achieve pop music immortality by composing the Mission: Impossible theme. --Sam Graham

John Coltrane
It might not seem like much: 30 minutes, three tunes, four musicians on a bare- bones soundstage. But this is John Coltrane, and any opportunity to see the legendary saxophonist at work is something to be savored. That's especially true with this January 1964 television performance. Some five years after his membership in Miles Davis's immortal Kind of Blue group, he was well past playing the usual standards and ballads; at the same time, he had yet to explore the outer reaches of the avant-garde. Joined here by pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones--the classic Coltrane quartet, and undoubtedly one of the most important and influential groups in jazz history--he works his way through three numbers that were familiar components of the Coltrane repertoire: Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue," which finds Trane on soprano sax and features a typically dynamic Tyner solo; "Alabama," a Coltrane original with a brooding, droning intro and conclusion sandwiched around the middle section's slow, swinging groove; and "Impressions," the modal touchstone, which at nearly 14 minutes long gives all four musicians plenty of room to stretch out.

Amazon.com

It might not seem like much: 30 minutes, three tunes, four musicians on a bare-bones soundstage. But this is John Coltrane, and any opportunity to see the legendary saxophonist at work is something to be savored. That's especially true with this January 1964 television performance. Some five years after his membership in Miles Davis's immortal Kind of Blue group, he was well past playing the usual standards and ballads; at the same time, he had yet to explore the outer reaches of the avant-garde. Joined here by pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones--the classic Coltrane quartet, and undoubtedly one of the most important and influential groups in jazz history--he works his way through three numbers that were familiar components of the Coltrane repertoire: Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue," which finds Trane on soprano sax and features a typically dynamic Tyner solo; "Alabama," a Coltrane original with a brooding, droning intro and conclusion sandwiched around the middle section's slow, swinging groove; and "Impressions," the modal touchstone, which at nearly 14 minutes long gives all four musicians plenty of room to stretch out.

Customer Reviews:

Precious Trane Footage.......2005-05-08

This is a must-have if you are a Coltrane fan. I repeat...this is a must-have. There's isn't a lot of Coltrane video footage out there, and here you get three full songs - "Afro-Blue," "Impressions," and "Alabama." You also get a short segment by the host, Ralph Gleason, where he talks about jazz music in general, and here's a piece of that quote:

"The thing that a modern jazz musician does, which you should really keep in mind when you see him in concerts, or see him in jazz clubs, is somewhat similar to looking at a poet standing in the middle of a supermarket and improvising poetry. They are called upon by the discipline of this artform to go into public places where people are gathered informally, and to spontaneously create music. Unlike a poet, unlike the writer of a novel, unlike a painter, they have no opportunity to take this product that they have created and re-form it and correct the mistakes they might have made or change the way in which they approach it. What they do is done for all time, right then, when they do it. This is one of the unique things about jazz, and it's one of the things that gives it a particular quality of aliveness that makes it one of the most interesting and vital of all contemporary artforms." ~ Ralph Gleason

Right on, Mr. Gleason! As for the music...this recording of "Alabama" is only the second recording in existence of the song. It is also found as a studio recording on "Live at Birdland". Obviously, the two other tracks are somewhat abbreviated, but it's only a 30-minute television show. The sound and footage are top-notch for 1963. On Tyner's solos on "Impressions" and "Afro-Blue," the camera zooms in on his hands. Garrison also looks like someone dumped a bucket of water over his head - he sweats a lot. Musically, I'd say the highlight is the interplay between Trane and Elvin Jones on "Impressions." Coltrane plays a soprano on "Afro-Blue" and a tenor on the two other tracks. There's nothing too out of the ordinary from the overal performance but this footage is precious.

Coltrane! Enough said!.......2005-02-17

As I understand it, Coltrane could have taken some time to be interviewd. While I'd have loved to hear what he had to say, I am giving this five stars.

With all three selections, he is clearly conscious of the time constraints; yet the artistry is not in any way compromised. Impressions was great, especially with the duet between Trane and Elvin Jones. I've always loved Afro Blue; and he plays it beautifully. And Alabama makes you feel the pain that inspired the song; the reaction to the bombing of a black church in Alabama. One is especially touched by the look on Jone's face at the end of the song while Coltrane is making his statement.

What words exist that could describe the experience of listening to Coltrane, or watching him as he created his masterworks? His music is one of humanity's greatest treasures.

Great Video!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2004-04-03

When I first watched this, i was far from dissapointed. The opening track Afro Blue is a great swining song on the recording, to see it preformed by this wonderful group was absolutely fabulous. The group gets into some heavy improvisations, and you can see the host Ralph J Gleason's face bright up with astonishment from the solos. As on the other Jazz Casual videos the artist talks with Gleason, here Mr Gleason just gives a "jazz in a nutshell" introduction, before the group swings on Coltrane's own composition, Alabama. I think you can see Trane's wife in the backround sitting on a chair watching off stage. Alabama's dark gloomy intro is great. Last is Impressions, Trane's famous tune. Bassist Jimmy Garrison takes a monster solo, before Trane and Elvin Jones solo off eachother without garrison or pianist McCoy Tyner. This was a fabulous video. I just finished watching it for about the hundred time. It still shocks and amazes me every time. If your into Trane's other Avant Garde preformances, you absolutely can't go wron with this digital video disk!

Giant Steps.......2003-07-11

If you are considering purchasing this DVD, do it! We are so very fortunate that this DVD exists and is available to the public. A true treasure.

Peak Coltrane Quartet.......2001-08-07

This video captures a rare performance of Coltrane backed by the classic quartet (McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, and Garrison). As usual, Coltrane does not let down. The only weakness to this tape is that it is only 25 minutes long. However, it is a fantastic 25 minutes to spend.

Jazz Casual - Cannonball Adderley and The Modern Jazz Quartet

Average customer rating:

Jazz Casual - Cannonball Adderley and The Modern Jazz Quartet
Starring: Ralph J. Gleason
Manufacturer: Idem
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Jazz Casual - Sonny Rollins & Carmen McRae [Region 2]
Jazz Casual - Gerry Mulligan & Art Farmer
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - Live in '58 (Jazz Icons)
Stanley Turrentine In Concert
Paris 1959

ASIN: B00005QXTC
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Average customer rating:

You need this set

Jazz Casual Complete Set
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Jazz Casual
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Jazz Icons
Jazz Masters: Vintage Collection
Jazz on a Summer's Day/A Summer's Day With Bert Stern
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - Live in '58 (Jazz Icons)
John Coltrane - The World According to John Coltrane

ASIN: B00069KWEE
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Customer Reviews:

You need this set.......2007-02-28

Ralph Gleason's 1960s Jazz Casual series was one of the high points of televised jazz. The San Francisco jazz writer and Rolling Stone magazine paterfamilias presented the best jazz musicians across a range of styles in a respectful, relaxed setting, and spent a few minutes of almost every show conversing intelligently with his guest star.

And what fantastic musicians. In this set you can hear and see, at length, John Coltrane (no interview with Coltrane, unfortunately) and his great quartet with Elvin Jones, Jimmy Garrison and McCoy Tyner; Sonny Rollins and his quartet with Jim Hall; the blues singer Jimmy Rushing talking, singing and accompanying himself on piano; Dizzy Gillespie; Count Basie in a very relaxed piano set; the great traditional cornetist Muggsy Spanier with a group including bassist Pops Foster and Chicago pianist Joe Sullivan; an entire set of Joe Sullivan playing solo piano; the Woody Herman Big Band; altoist Art Pepper; blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon with an accompanying group including Ben Webster; and lots more.

If you are a jazz fan, you need this. At this price it makes sense to buy the entire package rather than getting the individually packaged episodes. Really impossible to recommend highly enough.

Jazz Casual - John Coltrane and Dave Brubeck

Average customer rating:

Jazz Casual - John Coltrane and Dave Brubeck
Starring: Ralph J. Gleason
Manufacturer: Idem
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Thelonious Monk - Straight No Chaser
Miles Davis - Cool Jazz Sound
Jazz Casual - Cannonball Adderley and The Modern Jazz Quartet
John Coltrane - The World According to John Coltrane
Rediscovering Dave Brubeck

ASIN: B00005QXTD
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Jazz Casual - Gerry Mulligan & Art Farmer

Average customer rating:

Jazz Casual - Gerry Mulligan & Art Farmer
Starring: Ralph J. Gleason
Manufacturer: Idem
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Jazz Casual - Cannonball Adderley and The Modern Jazz Quartet
Jazz Casual - Sonny Rollins & Carmen McRae [Region 2]
Jazz Casual - Art Pepper and Vince Guaraldi & Bola Sete

ASIN: B00005QXT3
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Jazz Casual - Count Basie & Lambert, Hendricks, and Bavan [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

Jazz Casual - Count Basie & Lambert, Hendricks, and Bavan [Region 2]
Starring: Ralph J. Gleason
Manufacturer: Idem
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Golden Age of Jazz, Part 1 - Jazz Legends

ASIN: B00005QXT5
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Jazz Casual - Thad Jones & Mel Lewis and Woody Herman

Average customer rating:

Jazz Casual - Thad Jones & Mel Lewis and Woody Herman
Starring: Ralph J. Gleason
Manufacturer: Idem
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Jazz Masters Series - Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra
Buddy Rich - Live in '78 (Jazz Icons)
Norman Granz Jazz in Montreux Presents Count Basie Big Band '77
Jazz Casual - Cannonball Adderley and The Modern Jazz Quartet
Count Basie - Live in '62 (Jazz Icons)

ASIN: B00005QXTK
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Jazz Casual - Art Pepper and Vince Guaraldi & Bola Sete

Average customer rating:

don't buy this-not encoded for usa

Jazz Casual - Art Pepper and Vince Guaraldi & Bola Sete
Starring: Ralph J. Gleason
Manufacturer: Idem
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Jazz Casual - Cannonball Adderley and The Modern Jazz Quartet
Jazz Casual - Gerry Mulligan & Art Farmer
Jazz Casual - Sonny Rollins & Carmen McRae [Region 2]
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - Live in '58 (Jazz Icons)
A Charlie Brown Christmas

ASIN: B00005QXT8
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Customer Reviews:

don't buy this-not encoded for usa.......2005-05-07

I put this information on before. Not encoded for USA DVD players. Company (Music Media) said they would replace with "correct" encoding, this still has not occured. Note that only now proper encoding info is being listed on purchase info page. Is Amazon is turning into eBay? (Now into the 5/6th week with no resolution-31may05)

Average customer rating:

Good now, but good at the beginning as well

Jazz Casual - B.B. King
Starring: B.B. King
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Live at Nicks
The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1969, Vol. 3

ASIN: B00006RJCQ
Release Date: 2003-01-28

Amazon.com

The B.B. King seen in this 30-minute, 1968 program is a far cry from the amiable patriarch who hawks burgers on TV and sits in with U2 and Eric Clapton. The current B.B. has certainly earned his legendary status, of course, but this is the real thing--a leaner, meaner bluesman, closer to his Mississippi and chitlin' circuit roots but with his trademark stinging guitar leads and bellowing vocals already well established. Joined by a drummer (the redoubtable Sonny Freeman), an organist, and two horn players, King motors through five tight, compact numbers (he's particularly soulful on "Darling You Know I love You," a slow burner) before sitting down with host Ralph J. Gleason. Asked by Gleason what he hopes to achieve, King says, "I'd like the whole world to be able to hear B.B. King sing and play the blues." This fine Jazz Casual installment certainly won't hurt. --Sam Graham

Product Description

B.B. King. His very name evokes aural images of warbling, lilting blues guitar lines, and a shouting, wailing voice singing about love gone bad. When most of us think of B.B. King, we probably think of him as he appeared in his middle and later years: a large, stout man in sequined jackets with large rings on his hands. We don't think of him as the boy and young man who played his guitar and sang on street corners in his native Mississippi. On this DVD, see a younger B.B. King appearing on his first national TV show. Originaly credited as what he was then and will always be - "B.B. King: King of the Blues." Track listings: Darling You Know I Love You * Got a Whole Lot of Lovin' * All Over Again (aka I've Got a Right to Give Up Living) * The Jungle * That's Wrong, Little Mama. Approx 23 min. ?

Customer Reviews:

Good now, but good at the beginning as well.......2007-03-23

I've been lucky enough to have B.B. King bring me his music "LIVE" twice in my life. He was in his 70's at the time and still doing 265+ concert dates a year including a world tour every other year. If you ever wonder what would make him keep going after all these years, this DVD will show you that it isn't the money.

When I watched him in person, you could tell that B.B. still loved playing music for people. His road band was as tight, smooth and skilled as I've ever seen and they played with a passion almost equal to that of their leader. The age range of the members was from the 20's to the 70's - remarkable in this day and age.

On the DVD, the band is considerably smaller - maybe because B.B. was just getting going at the time and couldn't afford more players - but some members then are still members today. That's very unusual.

What I like about this particular DVD is that it provides excellent insight into one of the greatest Blues artists ever when he was just finding his wings. He's confident and passionate and he's skilled, and we are the beneficiaries.

I believe you'll find the interview portion provides some insight into the man and his music as well.

As is the case with artists early in their careers, B.B. plays songs here that he loves. When you catch an artist still in their almost pure state at the early curve of their career, you sense the feeling underneath the performance. Think of Rod Stewart with the Small Faces on Every Picture Tells A Story and singing Maggie Mae vs. Rod doing Hot Legs. No comparison really.

If you'd like to see B.B. King in a relaxed setting and doing some material he considers important enough to play in an early TV appearance, this is a dandy addition to your collection. Excellent sound quality here, too, and that doesn't hurt either.

Jazz Casual DVD (Count Basie, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie)

Average customer rating:

John Coltrane's Performance
Starts slow, and builds intensity
Worth it if you're listening.
Take the intrerview out!!!
Worth it for the historical value alone

Jazz Casual DVD (Count Basie, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie)
Starring: Count Basie , and John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

Documentary | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

John Coltrane - The World According to John Coltrane
Thelonious Monk - Straight No Chaser
Jazz Casual - Cannonball Adderley and The Modern Jazz Quartet
Miles Electric - A Different Kind of Blue
Jazz Casual - John Coltrane

ASIN: 6305979782
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Amazon.com

Count Basie
A telling moment in this terrific Jazz Casual program occurs very early on, when host Ralph J. Gleason asks Count Basie the name of the first piece that the pianist-bandleader and his small group played. "I don't know," says Basie with a laugh. He's not being flip. "I Don't Know," as it eventually became known, is, like most of the other music Basie and company play here, nothing more or less than a blues jam, improvised on the spot. The "casual" label has never been more appropriate, as this 1968 performance finds Basie at his most relaxed. He smokes a lot. He talks a lot: about the influence of Duke Ellington and such legendary pianists as Fats Waller, Pete Johnson, and Meade Lux Lewis; about the genesis of "One O'Clock Jump," the Basie band's signature tune; and about his own playing style, which he self-effacingly calls "dated." And, best of all, he plays a lot, accompanied by the superb rhythm section of Sonny Payne on drums, Norman Keenan on bass, and the redoubtable Freddie Green on guitar. "I never get tired of playing the blues," Basie tells Gleason, and in the hands of these pros, you'll never get tired of listening to it. Basie's blues are inimitable: effortlessly swinging, completely cool, at once laconic and driving, danceable, humorous, just unmistakably right, with the rhythm players always on the beat and Basie himself the master of what not to play. This is great stuff, and highly recommended. --Sam Graham

Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie--trumpeter, bandleader, entertainer--was 43 and still at the peak of his powers when he appeared with his quintet on Ralph J. Gleason's performance-interview TV program, Jazz Casual, in early 1961. And while his style had become somewhat cooler since the days when he and Charlie Parker led jazz's bebop revolution, this four-song set is as identifiably Dizzy as his trademark up-tilted horn and ballooning cheeks. The tunes, from Benny Golson's mid-tempo "Blues After Dark" to Dizzy's own "Lorraine" (with an exotic, sinuous melody reminiscent of his more famous "Night in Tunisia"), are invariably swinging, with fine solo turns by Gillespie, saxophonist-flutist Leo Wright, and a pianist named Lalo Schifrin. That's the same Lalo Schifrin who within a few short years would achieve pop music immortality by composing the Mission: Impossible theme. --Sam Graham

John Coltrane
It might not seem like much: 30 minutes, three tunes, four musicians on a bare- bones soundstage. But this is John Coltrane, and any opportunity to see the legendary saxophonist at work is something to be savored. That's especially true with this January 1964 television performance. Some five years after his membership in Miles Davis's immortal Kind of Blue group, he was well past playing the usual standards and ballads; at the same time, he had yet to explore the outer reaches of the avant-garde. Joined here by pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones--the classic Coltrane quartet, and undoubtedly one of the most important and influential groups in jazz history--he works his way through three numbers that were familiar components of the Coltrane repertoire: Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue," which finds Trane on soprano sax and features a typically dynamic Tyner solo; "Alabama," a Coltrane original with a brooding, droning intro and conclusion sandwiched around the middle section's slow, swinging groove; and "Impressions," the modal touchstone, which at nearly 14 minutes long gives all four musicians plenty of room to stretch out.

Customer Reviews:

John Coltrane's Performance.......2005-05-25

Afro Blue: It may be one of my favourite tunes of Coltrane, but here Coltrane seems just a little uninspired. A couple of times his soprano rises above the low-set mike and the sound drops out. McCoy Tyner is more worthy of attention, with a fine piano solo. Oh yes, and why is Coltrane holding a cigarette at the beginning of the performance?? He pauses, takes a puff, and grinds it out with his shoe - all in mid-performance! I think this may be Coltrane's sense of humour - he knew the cameras would be on him and wanted to do something weird. I couldn't imagine even trying to play an instrument with a cigarette in one hand.
Also, watch out for Ralph Gleason's condescending attitude - his peering down at Tyner's piano with smug curiosity when he does a fantastic solo, and actually laughing when Coltrane's solo reaches its peak. And don't even mention the insipid speech (jazz musicians like poets in a supermarket???)

Alabama: Get the disc if only for this. This is the only recorded performance of Alabama that is complete. The version on disc was sadly incomplete thanks to a screw-up in the recording studio! The style is sombre and quiet, a good contrast to the screeching of Afro Blue. I like Elvin Jones' drumming here. Look out for Alice Coltrane sitting in the background here.

Impressions: The other two numbers are pretty short, seemingly to make room for a truly inspired performance of Impressions that lasts fourteen minutes and is the meat of the program. Coltrane states the theme, then leaves the stage for McCoy Tyner's amanzing solo, which is truly one of his best. Then Tyner himself drops out, and Jimmy Garrison takes over. To me, the Garrison solo is the highlight here. As amazing as the Coltrane and Tyner solos are, Garrison's strumming is truly unbelieveable. I usually don't like Garrison's solos on disc, but this one is great. Seeing Garrison's intense concentration may help, of course. You can see why people say puddles of sweat were left on the stage when the Classic Quartet had been on. Also, you can finally see why there's usually an annoying buzzing during Garrison's solos - it's his humming!
Then Coltrane comes back on with a screeching, energetic solo that is another highlight. But just as he approaches the end - a dull sounding announcer gives us the name of the TV channel - and the performance is CUT OFF!!! ARRRGH! I hate that - if only the programmers had the decency to keep the end of the performance in...

As it is, this Coltrane disc is truly worth getting - I'd be interested in the Sonny Rollins one too.

Starts slow, and builds intensity.......2005-05-21

It seems as though this disc polarizes the reviewers; either they love it or hate it. Though it has its flaws, I'd have to say it's very worthwhile. I agree with the ones who didn't like Ralph J. Gleason's style. Yes, he's irritating, but he takes up very little time on the Gillespie and Coltrane segments. See the "Jazz Scene USA" series with Oscar Brown, Jr. for a late 50s/early 60s era jazz program with a first rate host and better production values. At first viewing I thought the Basie segment was disappointing, but it's grown on me. Diz was the main reason I bought this disc, and he didn't disappoint. He was even a good sport for the interview. His segment cooks at a consistent simmer. Very nice, but Coltrane cuts Diz for the highlight of the program. He's at one of his peaks, with a killer band, and they just keep ratcheting the intensity up higher and higher until the end. I'm not sure about the guy who gave this one star... he talks as if the picture and sound are worse than they actually are (reasonable but not stellar for their era) and like Gleason was on between every song (he was for Basie's and The Count seemed annoyed). I'd like to see more of these 3-on-1 Jazz Casual compilations. A single disc of 30 minutes with no bonus material is a waste.

Worth it if you're listening........2003-07-30

I'm a working jazz pianist in the Seattle area and always looking to get closer to Basie's perspective. If you've got ears and want to see these guys in action, get this disk. Granted, there are some short interviews, but it's a small price to pay to see a slice of the minimal good footage available from these long gone times in jazz history. A player's textbook in black and white!

Take the intrerview out!!!.......2002-06-21

...The music is really great. Coltrane is so awesome that his music magnetizes, you can't even put it at the background: it takes all your attention.
Now the problem is that the interview is very poor... I think that even with talented interviewer the musical DVD should have the option to skip the dialogs and to choose to play the music only. It is also strange that the sound recording not as good as it supposed to be and the video picture is sometimes very dirty. Don't buy this DVD.
Somebody needs to remake this DVD and make some cleaning of it.

Worth it for the historical value alone.......2001-09-19

I found this worth the cost to me but mostly for the historical view. The music can be heard on a CD much better and quite honestly I didn't hear a lot being said by Basie or Gillespie (Coltrane declined to be interviewed).
But what a treat to see the footage of a Public TV Broadcast of the 60's. Gleason's questions and attempt at dialog sounds very dated. Of course it was not atypical of the era but by today's standards he sounds amaturish and unprepared. But thankfully he did do these shows and we now get to see things in the exact setting of the era when they were done. I probably won't watch this all that often but I will pull it out now and again.

DVD:

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