A comprehensive collection of Hoagy’s own performances from records, broadcasts and radio transcriptions including much previously unissued material and recordings never before on LP or CD. Booklet essay by Carmichael biographer Richard M. Sudhalter.
The most comprehensive collection of his work ever assembled:
the bulk of Gennett, Victor, Brunswick, ARA & Decca issues plus film and radio recordings. Lavishly illustrated booklet and slipcases.
Total playing time: 12 hours 21 mins 49 sec.
CD 1: In Person 1925-1929 (79:40)
CD 2: In Person 1929-1933 (76:27)
CD 3: In Person 1933-1942 (76:45)
CD 4: ARA Recordings (62:54)
CD 5: V-Discs & Radio Performances (71:52)
CD 6: In England 1948 & Radio Transcriptions (66:36)
CD 7: 1946-49 (77:49)
CD 8: 1949-55 (75:36)
CD 9: “Plays Ballads for Dancing” & private acetates (75:29)
CD 10: Other great artists perform Hoagy Carmichael compositions (78:41).
At last, available for the first time the definitive study of Hoagy Carmichael in a splendid 10 CD BOX SET.
Our collection follows Hoagy from his earliest moments on record with the likes of Hitch’s Happy Harmonists, Paul Whiteman and Louis Armstrong into the 1930’s where he was to have his most fruitful period and arguably his greatest success with such classics as Star Dust, Rockin’Chair and Georgia On My Mind. Our journey continues into the 40’s and 50’s where the master not only produces great new work but creates new versions of old classics often better sung and better realised than the earlier 20’s and 30’s recordings! Decca recordings are heavily featured throughout the Box Set alongside many tracks which first appeared on “V” Disc as well as a variety of “bootleg” labels. For the first time, the ARA label is represented featuring Hoagy as singer and pianist singing such classics as Snowball and Lazy Bones and perhaps foreshadowing the likes of Elton John and Billy Joel!
For an untrained musician Hoagy Carmichael made an enormous contribution to 20th Century music and left us a magnificent legacy of standards as this well packaged and re-mastered Box Set illustrates. It is sadly perhaps, a lost era now, as Hoagy said in 1979 “ I could have accomplished a hell of a lot more…..but rock just knocked me out…I just quit almost on account of rock n roll!”
His last hit was in 1950 but his musical legacy will live on forever.