AMG Review of Commodore Story

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Milt Gabler's Commodore label, in its prime from 1938-46, is saluted on this two-CD set, which gives listeners a sampling of the company's many riches. All of the music has been available elsewhere -- most notably on Mosaic's three huge limited-edition LP box sets that reissued the label's entire content -- and this two-fer (which jumps around chronologically) is really strictly for beginners. Represented are Eddie Condon, Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Sidney Bechet, the Kansas City Six, Coleman Hawkins, Lee Wiley, Art Tatum, Roy Eldridge, Benny Carter, Jelly Roll Morton, Bunk Johnson, Wild Bill Davison, Hot Lips Page, Jack Teagarden, and Pee Wee Russell, among many others. Although an attractive reissue, serious collectors will want to look elsewhere for the complete sessions.