I just checked Amazon for the 4 CD box set I have and its not to be found. However, there was an import for sale titled "Shelly Manne And His Men Complete Live At The Blackhawk" which has 1 disc so is obviously not "complete" I guess the set I purchased many years ago is out of print. However, as some of you probably know, Amazon puts reviews of multiple printings of the same title together and I saw this following review (the reviewer obviously has the same set as me) which sums up everything I feel about these sessions:
Four discs-70,70,67,71 minutes each approximately. The sound is as good as the latest individual releases. The bass is where it should be,the piano isn't shrill sounding,the horns have presence,and the drums are clean and crisp without being overstated. This set contains ALL the known music recorded at this time/venue by this group,and is presented in chronological order of playing. The booklet is very informative-reproducing the four individual liner notes from the original releases (except the portion from Vol. 3,which has the "origin of jazz" paragraphs,not pertaining to this band,deleted),and the original "DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE" review,along with several photographs of the band members. Don't go by the AMAZON track listing as to what is on what disc-its INCORRECT.
These recordings,arguably,represent the epitome of the "West Coast sound" of jazz in the 50's,and perhaps beyond. For anyone wishing to hear some of the finest jazz from this,or any era,no matter what the locale,this will fit the bill nicely. Why this set isn't listed as a perennial jazz favorite/purchase on Amazon,much like some of Miles Davis' and Coltrane's recordings is a mystery to me. This music transcends enjoyable listening,and enters the realm of essential listening. This group-Shelly Manne-drums,Joe Gordon-trumpet,Victor Feldman-piano,Richie Kamuca-tenor sax,and Monty Budwig-bass,together have recorded some of the finest,most swinging,straight-ahead jazz in history.
By now most jazz listeners are familiar with these recordings,so pointing out highlights is useless. Suffice to say that this music,even the (at the time) previously unissued tracks,are all of equal worth. If for some reason you haven't heard this music (or have heard only snippets),this set needs to go on your short-list of jazz sets to purchase,and I envy you on your first hearing this music.
Four discs-70,70,67,71 minutes each approximately. The sound is as good as the latest individual releases. The bass is where it should be,the piano isn't shrill sounding,the horns have presence,and the drums are clean and crisp without being overstated. This set contains ALL the known music recorded at this time/venue by this group,and is presented in chronological order of playing. The booklet is very informative-reproducing the four individual liner notes from the original releases (except the portion from Vol. 3,which has the "origin of jazz" paragraphs,not pertaining to this band,deleted),and the original "DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE" review,along with several photographs of the band members. Don't go by the AMAZON track listing as to what is on what disc-its INCORRECT.
These recordings,arguably,represent the epitome of the "West Coast sound" of jazz in the 50's,and perhaps beyond. For anyone wishing to hear some of the finest jazz from this,or any era,no matter what the locale,this will fit the bill nicely. Why this set isn't listed as a perennial jazz favorite/purchase on Amazon,much like some of Miles Davis' and Coltrane's recordings is a mystery to me. This music transcends enjoyable listening,and enters the realm of essential listening. This group-Shelly Manne-drums,Joe Gordon-trumpet,Victor Feldman-piano,Richie Kamuca-tenor sax,and Monty Budwig-bass,together have recorded some of the finest,most swinging,straight-ahead jazz in history.
By now most jazz listeners are familiar with these recordings,so pointing out highlights is useless. Suffice to say that this music,even the (at the time) previously unissued tracks,are all of equal worth. If for some reason you haven't heard this music (or have heard only snippets),this set needs to go on your short-list of jazz sets to purchase,and I envy you on your first hearing this music.