Product Description

This anthology gathers diferent soundies (short features produced for movie theatres) and telescriptions (the first music videos) dating back from the Forties and early Fifties and featuring material by the Duke Ellington orchestra and the Lionel Hampton

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97411 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-05-25
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 77 minutes

Customer Reviews

Unique Classics
Considering the technical limitations of the period during which these jazz treats were made, you may be surprised at how good they sound. They aren't as good as you would find on a vinyl LP but when they're matched with the visuals, they are probably the best you can get for the time, which seems to be about the 1940s and 1950s.

Lovers of earlier big band will revel in some of the unique features of many of these numbers. Solos on bass clarinet and valve trombone, a song/dance rendition of the classic "Bli-Blip" which you may never get tired of, and Lionel Hampton's piano magic on "TV Special". You can be forgiven for not knowing that "The Hamp" played piano too. The second half of this DVD demonstrates what a sensational bandleader and entertainer he was.

And finally, if Ray Nance's broad grin at the end of his violin solo doesn't lift your spirits, you may need professional help.