Gene Ammons - The Classic Early Albums 1955-1960 (2023)

This 4CD Set includes eight of Gene Ammons' most esteemed and celebrated albums, originally released between 1955 and 1960. All coming from the great man's 1950s output when he worked with many of the finest jazz musicians around, the collection illustrates perfectly how he helped develop the sound of the tenor saxophone to higher levels of expressiveness. Ammons, together with Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt, helped integrate their developments with the emerging vernacular of the bebop movement, and the chromaticism and rhythmic variety of Charlie Parker is evident in his playing. This compilation forms an ideal starting place for beginners to this maverick musician's work and talents, but works equally well for those already well versed, as a perfect reminder of just how extraordinary an artist Gene Ammons was.
Tracklist
1. My Foolish Heart (2:50)
2. Prelude To A Kiss (3:02)
3. It's You Or No One (2:45)
4. Can Anyone Explain (2:55)
5. Goodbye (3:11)
6. Pennies From Heaven (2:38)
7. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe (2:49)
8. You Go To My Head (3:00)
9. Once In A While (3:13)
10. It's The Talk Of The Town (2:49)
11. Woofin' And Tweetin' (15:05)
12. Juggernaut (10:29)
13. Blues Up And Down (Take 3) (2:39)
14. Blues Up And Down (Take 1) (1:28)
15. Blues Up And Down (Take 2) (2:24)
16. You Can Depend On Me (Take 1) (2:51)
17. You Can Depend On Me (Take 2) (2:51)
18. Stringin' The Jug (5:06)
19. New Blues Up And Down (5:08)
20. The Happy Blues (12:08)
21. The Great Lie (8:42)
22. Can't We Be Friends? (12:55)
23. Madhouse (6:43)
24. Jammin' With Gene (14:23)
25. We'll Be Together Again (10:00)
26. Not Really The Blues (16:08)
27. The Twister (12:16)
28. Four (13:03)
29. Pennies From Heaven (13:03)
30. Cattin' (11:59)
31. Funky (9:01)
32. Pint Size (12:24)
33. Stella By Starlight (8:58)
34. Blue Gene (13:58)
35. Scamperin' (8:49)
36. Blue Greens And Beans (9:05)
37. Blue Hymn (12:39)
38. The Real McCoy (8:34)
39. Cheek To Cheek (14:14)
40. That's All (13:56)