Jazz at the Pawn Shop. Anyone know what Vol. ?

Zman, thank you, but your apology is unwarrented. Actually, you are quite correct, I am an asshole. But now that we've gotten that out of the way, I think that your ad hominem criticism missed the central point of my corrosive jibe. And that is, if you are interested in sound, this is a fabulous album to own, and I speak from first hand experience, owning a very early LP pressing.

However if you are interested in music, and Dixieland in particular, the playing here is not to a high standard. Although Dixieland jazz has somewhat gone out of vogue, the best of the idiom is as transcendental in it's nature as any music ever made. For those interested in experiencing the music, the unfortunate part is that it was born into the turn of the 20th century, and much of the best, and most illuminating, performances are both in mono and in low fidelity. That said, it is only necessary to hear Louis Armstrongs All Stars, or his Hot Fives and Hot Sevens to see that this music has a soul that burns very brightly indeed. Even the very earliest Dixieland recordings such as the much played "Tiger Rag" by the Original Dixieland Jazz band, from which, I believe Dixieland got it's name, are just fantastic. The resurgance of Dixieland in the 1960s also brought the excellent recordings from New Orleans' Preservation Hall. The Sweet Emma being among my favorites.

But I suppose, in the greater context, we shoud be thankful for the JATP stuff as it might be the gateway drug to get people to listen to the classic Dixieland performances, in the way that Diana Krall might lead to Billie Holiday or Boones Farm might lead to Chateau Margaux. And, of course none of this should diminish the excellent audio engineering that is displayed on the JATP discs, as it is top rate. In fact, for those that want this great recorded quality wedded to marvelous music, and have a taste for choral music, two other Proprius recordings can be heartily recommended, Kor and Cantate Domino.

Thank you for your input Viridian, I need to get into more of the raw recordings. I'm gradually leaning in that direction due to a dear friend that has introduced me into the more raw jazz. I've always liked the smooth jazz stuff. But it's an aquired taste that I'm finally getting for the good stuff. My friend told me after I shared the "you are there" experience I had with Kieth Jarrett, about the same experience that the JATP cd may hold. I'm interested in any well recorded album that has that sound to it. I'll look up some of the recommendations you have supplied. Thank you.

I think I'd probably agree with Viridian. Though it is a remarkable, atmospheric, live recording to be sure, it is not the last word in that genre of Jazz and probably has more merit as an "audiophile" recording rendering spacial cues and atmosphere to a degree that can raise the hairs on the back of your neck when paired with the right system. As far as the music goes it is a bit ho-hum to me. In the mid 80's it was as overplayed and overhyped as Dire Straits and I really got sick of hearing both of them.

Damn those Swedes for including ONE so called "Dixieland" tune in a collection of live performances that could only be called "Mainstream" by the most uneducated Jazz listeners.The majority of the performances on those discs are standards or Jazz originals,some decades removed from the 1920's penned "Struttin' with some BBQ".Far from the most compelling recordings by either Arne Domnerus or Bengt Hallberg,these two fine players have been honing their craft in the shadows of the great Americans since the early 1950's and have a trove of outstanding recordings to prove it.I thought we were beyond the debilitating arrogance of "American Jazz" and that we are sharing our amazing gift with the world and embracing those that are true to the art,making it a truly international music that originated in the United States.The ugly American has returned.

Note to self...true Dixieland is for assholes.