Billy Eckstine

[Tom Storer]

I've recently been discovering the great baritone crooner of the 1940's and beyond, Billy Eckstine. Eckstine was famous for having the first big band studded with bebop stars (although Earl Hines gives competition for that claim).

I got a cheapo compilation of 4 CDs covering 7 original LPs, all from 1957 to 1961, wonderful stuff. Now I've ordered a 2-CD set of his 40's big band material, and I'm listening to some of that early stuff on Spotify. Sounds magnificent.

So... who else loves Billy Eckstine? Any recommendations for further purchases?

[Ron Thorne]

We don't have any Billy Eckstine in our collection, but I'm definitely a fan of his. His vocal richness and smooth phrasing has always appealed to me. He was a handsome devil, too.

This 2-disc compilation on Verve has received very positive reviews, including this one on Allmusic from Scott Yanow. On one track he even solos on valve trombone, a surprise to me.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWuGF-Xh-RM

[BeBop]

I've got all of his 40s recordings. That was about as far as I went with him. Great bands. Dex, Jug, Wardell, Diz, Fats, Kenny D. MGM-era singing didn't do much for me. And I missed his trumpet/trombone work, which was gone by then.

[hornplayer]

I don't have nearly as many of B's recordings as I'd like. He really had an extraordinary voice.

I was lucky to get to sit in with him in Chicago in the early 80's -- a neat memory.