One of the first, and one of the best of all "with strings" recordings. Parker was a superb jazz improviser, flying at great speeds around any type of background arrangement. Here he sticks more "in-tune", playing a top notch sax and "pretty notes" (his phrases) against not-too-bad strings arrangements. I loved this music as soon as I heard it. I still love it.

You may think that Ben Webster's sultry and breathless tone would be perfect for strings and you'd be right! My only quibble with this 2-CD set is that there is too much silky smoochy music to take in one sitting. Its almost too perfect, like a beautiful model with no soul. Definitely one to buy, but taken in smaller doses.

Its all a matter of personal opinion. I think that Getz's Cool Velvet is better than Focus, and a more engaging listen. Getz could really play... ballards...and faster numbers...anything. Even Coltrane was in awe of Getz's sound and execution.

Paul Desmond had an alto sax tone as smooth as honey, and could play with real grit as well. The opening 2 tracks are wonderful. One or two of the following arrangements may not grab your interest as much as they perhaps should. But anything by Desmond is classy.

Fun, outrageous and very hot - from the golden age of hot jazz.

A curiousity. It actually has wind and brass orchestra added later onto the brilliant (no other word for it) Smokin at the Half Note club date. A surprise for buyers (before the date was re-released in its orginal format), but not a really nasty one, as its all done in the best possible taste.

If nothing else, then this CD gets on my list because of "One for my baby". The rest is classic stuff; some stunning singing, with some very cool, jazzy arrangements.

This is compilation includes the lovely "Time after time" with strings. Naturally, it sounds Charlie Parker-like. And for added enjoyment the CD has Stitt playing "Just Friends" and "Laura" - without strings. Whereas Bird recorded these tunes with strings.