Chico Hamilton - The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings Of The Chico Hamilton Quintet (1997) [6CD Box Set]

The original Chico Hamilton Quintet was one of the last significant West Coast jazz bands of the cool era. Consisting of Buddy Collette on reeds (flute, clarinet, alto, and tenor), guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Carson Smith, and the drummer/leader, the most distinctive element in the group's identity was cellist Fred Katz. The band could play quite softly, blending together elements of bop and classical music into their popular sound and occupying their own niche. This six-CD, limited-edition box set from 1997 starts off with a Hamilton drum solo from a 1954 performance with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet; it contains three full albums and many previously unreleased numbers) by the original Chico Hamilton band and also has quite a few titles from the second Hamilton group (which has Paul Horn and John Pisano in the places of Collette and Hall).

In addition, there are three titles from the third Hamilton Quintet (with Eric Dolphy on flute and alto) and a 1959 Duke Ellington tribute date that featured both Collette and Horn. Most of these performances were formerly quite rare and never reissued coherently before. Highly recommended to jazz historians and to listeners who enjoy classic cool jazz, this box is sure to be sold out quickly.


Tracks:

CD1

01. Drums West [4:20]
02. A Nice Day [2:55]
03. My Funny Valentine [4:21]
04. Blue Sands [6:39]
05. The Sage [3:38]
06. The Morning After [2:11]
07. I Want To Be Happy [2:13]
08. Spectacular [5:19]
09. Free Form [5:05]
10. Walking Carson Blues [6:15]
11. Buddy Boo [5:20]
12. Gone With The Wind [5:09]
13. Topsy [8:24]
14. Undecided [9:07]


CD2

01. My Old Flame [4:34]
02. The Saint [4:32]
03. It Don't Mean A Thing [6:04]
04. Stella By Starlight [2:41]
05. Caravan [6:09]
06. Tea For Two [5:40]
07. Fast Flute [6:06]
08. Change It [2:42]
09. Cute Little Deal [3:02]
10. A Mood [3:57]
11. This Is Your Day [3:58]
12. I'll Keep Loving You [2:20]
13. Crazy Rhythm [4:18]


CD3

01. Jonalah [2:22]
02. Chrissie [3:54]
03. The Wind [3:38]
04. Gone Lover (When Your Lover Has Gone) [3:52]
05. The Ghost [5:11]
06. Sleepy Slept Here [4:15]
07. Taking A Chance On Love [4:14]
08. The Squimp [1:53]
09. Topsy [4:53]
10. Sleep [2:31]
11. I Know (Theme) #1 [0:59]
12. Chanel #5 [4:41]
13. Beanstalk [5:18]
14. September Song [3:36]
15. Siete-Cuatro [4:54]
16. Mr. Jo Jones [3:16]
17. I Know (Theme) #2 [0:41]
18. Mr. Smith Goes To Town [2:52]


CD4

01. Satin Doll [4:40]
02. Lillian [5:11]
03. Reflections [5:28]
04. Soft Winds [4:52]
05. Caravan [3:26]
06. I Know (Theme) #3 [0:41]
07. Lord Randall [7:33]
08. Suite For Horn [13:34]
09. Pluck It [2:59]
10. Classical Katz [3:00]
11. Loma [3:28]
12. Granada [3:54]
13. Katz-Up [3:52]
14. Montuna [4:37]


CD5

01. Lord Randall [8:33]
02. Walking Carson Blues [6:10]
03. Folk Lore [4:12]
04. Lapis Lazuli [4:05]
05. Concerto Petite [8:22]
06. Show Me [3:29]
07. I'm A Funny Dame [2:38]
08. Music To Eat By [6:31]
09. Wonderful Guy [3:15]
10. This Nearly Was Mine [3:54]
11. Dites-Moi [3:02]
12. Some Enchanted Evening [3:16]


CD6

01. Bali Ha'i [4:43]
02. There Is Nothing Like A Dame [3:03]
03. Younger Than Springtime [3:32]
04. Happy Talk [2:59]
05. A Cockeyed Optimist [1:54]
06. Honey Bun [4:20]
07. I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair [2:40]
08. In A Sentimental Mood [2:27]
09. I'm Beginning To See The Light [3:03]
10. In A Mellotone [2:26]
11. Medley: Take The A Train / Perdido [3:37]
12. Everything But You [4:32]
13. I'm Just A Lucky So And So [4:53]
14. Azure [3:32]
15. I'm Beginning To See The Light [4:03]
16. In A Mellotone [3:38]
17. Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin' [3:23]
18. In A Sentimental Mood [4:46]
19. Day Dream [3:56]
20. It Don't Mean A Thing [4:16]