Allen Lowe (a musician and writer) has produced a number of what appear to be carefully curated anthologies of American music. There is a 4 part series on "Jazz" (9 cd's per set), and a proposed four part series on "blues" (one has been released so far, also 9 cd's per set). There was also a series on pop music which is now out of print. Links below to the first in each series (I am not affiliated in any way).
http://www.amazon.com/That-Devilin-Tune-History-1895-1927/dp/B000F1IOGG
http://www.amazon.com/Really-Blues-History-1893-59-4/dp/B0034JKZC2/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1327356333&sr=1-1
There sets look very interesting to me as a means of discovering new artists, which is something I love (I have found the Harry Smith and George Mitchell anthologies to be excellent for this). I also like the idea of being taken through someone's idea of an "anthology," even if I don't always agree with the selections. The sets appear to be a mammoth labour of love.
They aren't that cheap though (except on a per song basis) so I am interested in comments from people who have them first. I haven't been able to find that many reviews of these sets.
Does anyone own these? Any comments on the sound quality, and the selections, on these discs? (There is criticism on the internet that the Jazz sets include tracks by artists that are not generally considered to be "Jazz" artists, such as Merle Travis - but that kind of diversity is a bonus for me rather than a negative.
Any comments are very welsome. If I leap in I am thinking of starting with the second or third set in the Jazz series.
[Edited to correct title per post below].
http://www.amazon.com/That-Devilin-Tune-History-1895-1927/dp/B000F1IOGG
http://www.amazon.com/Really-Blues-History-1893-59-4/dp/B0034JKZC2/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1327356333&sr=1-1
There sets look very interesting to me as a means of discovering new artists, which is something I love (I have found the Harry Smith and George Mitchell anthologies to be excellent for this). I also like the idea of being taken through someone's idea of an "anthology," even if I don't always agree with the selections. The sets appear to be a mammoth labour of love.
They aren't that cheap though (except on a per song basis) so I am interested in comments from people who have them first. I haven't been able to find that many reviews of these sets.
Does anyone own these? Any comments on the sound quality, and the selections, on these discs? (There is criticism on the internet that the Jazz sets include tracks by artists that are not generally considered to be "Jazz" artists, such as Merle Travis - but that kind of diversity is a bonus for me rather than a negative.
Any comments are very welsome. If I leap in I am thinking of starting with the second or third set in the Jazz series.
[Edited to correct title per post below].