Update on the Time-Life box sets is that I visited a local thrift yesterday and the ones that they had (a 6 box set with 3 LP's per box) were not performed by the original artists (two local California Big Bands did the covers). This is not the same set that I recall my parents playing and perhaps there were diffierent versions/offers, either that or I got the name wrong? The ones @ the shop had a hard cover Time-Life book included with each box.
Like Scott, I have offered Frank any of the duplicates that we come across (need to sort and organize almost a year's worth of LP purchases as we can barely make our way through the spare bedroom @ this point).
My favorites are those by Duke Ellington (his arrangements seem to be more diversified/less repetative).
A very nice series of "mono" boxed sets (half-speed mastered) were produced by the Easton Press/CBS/Polygram in the mid 80's. These are very difficult to find (I only have the Jazz vocal ones), but are easy to spot as they were issued in dull silver boxes. They also did a Swing/Big Band series.
