With all the splashy advertising and glossy press brouhaha to divert attention from the music to the concept, the question remains--can these boys actually sing? Yes they can, is the answer, and there are some things they do quite beautifully. Their own three-part a cappella arrangement of "Danny Boy" is simple and emotionally effective, and Matthew Gilsenan's plain performance of "The Quiet Land of Erin" to a solo harp accompaniment is gorgeous. The singers mostly perform in a warm but plain style that avoids operatic tics or vocal excess, but when the music veers into power-ballad territory (which it frequently does) they tend to fall back on the necessary tenorial technique to negotiate the higher passages--and the fact that the music is often not as good as their ability to sing it is revealed. Still, if you liked the theme music to Titanic there's plenty here to keep you amused. --Warwick Thompson

The Celtic Tenors, 17 Nov 2003
Quality of CD: clear, clean sounds
Voice Quality: Absolutely heavenly.
Choice of lyrics: Brilliant
General: Fantastic voices and great harmony.
Waiting for third album to be available.

The Celtic Tenors, 20 Aug 2003
Having heard this group support Dionne Warwick, ha to find their cd's and so purchsed from Amazon. Good music, slightly operatic but performed differently. Anntunes are good and if you cna see them live, go - you will enjoy

I found this CD absolutely amazing., 18 Mar 2002
I found Celtic Tenors CD to be excellent, your found yourself be drawn into their music, their voices was the best I have heard yet and am looking forward till their new CD. I would recommend anyone to buying this.

A roller-coaster!!, 16 May 2001
I certainly agree with the reviewer who found the songs lively and even brooding - the great fun and energy they have when singing live is well captured in this album, and nicely interwoven with emotionally charged songs. Irelands Call best typifies this great roller-coaster ride of a CD which has a wide appeal and whets the appetitite to see them live once more!!

Wonderful!, 07 Feb 2001
This first cd-album by The Celtic Tenors - a group of young Irish tenors who have been performing together very successfully for the past couple of years - is a joy to listen to. Especially moving are tracks No 1, Caledonia, and No 6, The Quiet Land of Erin, and indeed Danny Boy (No 3). We certainly look forward to hearing more from these charming lads - whom we were very happy to see in concert when vising Dublin during the Summer. On that occasion their rendering of Ireland's Call (track No 9 on the album) nearly brought the house down! It was fantastic to see how three young lads and a song could rouse such feeling.

The Celtic Tenors, 17 Nov 2003
Quality of CD: clear, clean sounds
Voice Quality: Absolutely heavenly.
Choice of lyrics: Brilliant
General: Fantastic voices and great harmony.
Waiting for third album to be available.

The Celtic Tenors, 20 Aug 2003
Having heard this group support Dionne Warwick, ha to find their cd's and so purchsed from Amazon. Good music, slightly operatic but performed differently. Anntunes are good and if you cna see them live, go - you will enjoy

I found this CD absolutely amazing., 18 Mar 2002
I found Celtic Tenors CD to be excellent, your found yourself be drawn into their music, their voices was the best I have heard yet and am looking forward till their new CD. I would recommend anyone to buying this.

A roller-coaster!!, 16 May 2001
I certainly agree with the reviewer who found the songs lively and even brooding - the great fun and energy they have when singing live is well captured in this album, and nicely interwoven with emotionally charged songs. Irelands Call best typifies this great roller-coaster ride of a CD which has a wide appeal and whets the appetitite to see them live once more!!

Wonderful!, 07 Feb 2001
This first cd-album by The Celtic Tenors - a group of young Irish tenors who have been performing together very successfully for the past couple of years - is a joy to listen to. Especially moving are tracks No 1, Caledonia, and No 6, The Quiet Land of Erin, and indeed Danny Boy (No 3). We certainly look forward to hearing more from these charming lads - whom we were very happy to see in concert when vising Dublin during the Summer. On that occasion their rendering of Ireland's Call (track No 9 on the album) nearly brought the house down! It was fantastic to see how three young lads and a song could rouse such feeling.

class jazz, 07 Mar 2008
jack teagarden is a jazz star up there with louis armstrong.his singing , playing and backing on clarinet by henry cuesta are a pleasure to listen to.one for the music library.enjoy.

The Celtic Tenors, 17 Nov 2003
Quality of CD: clear, clean sounds
Voice Quality: Absolutely heavenly.
Choice of lyrics: Brilliant
General: Fantastic voices and great harmony.
Waiting for third album to be available.

The Celtic Tenors, 20 Aug 2003
Having heard this group support Dionne Warwick, ha to find their cd's and so purchsed from Amazon. Good music, slightly operatic but performed differently. Anntunes are good and if you cna see them live, go - you will enjoy

I found this CD absolutely amazing., 18 Mar 2002
I found Celtic Tenors CD to be excellent, your found yourself be drawn into their music, their voices was the best I have heard yet and am looking forward till their new CD. I would recommend anyone to buying this.

A roller-coaster!!, 16 May 2001
I certainly agree with the reviewer who found the songs lively and even brooding - the great fun and energy they have when singing live is well captured in this album, and nicely interwoven with emotionally charged songs. Irelands Call best typifies this great roller-coaster ride of a CD which has a wide appeal and whets the appetitite to see them live once more!!

Wonderful!, 07 Feb 2001
This first cd-album by The Celtic Tenors - a group of young Irish tenors who have been performing together very successfully for the past couple of years - is a joy to listen to. Especially moving are tracks No 1, Caledonia, and No 6, The Quiet Land of Erin, and indeed Danny Boy (No 3). We certainly look forward to hearing more from these charming lads - whom we were very happy to see in concert when vising Dublin during the Summer. On that occasion their rendering of Ireland's Call (track No 9 on the album) nearly brought the house down! It was fantastic to see how three young lads and a song could rouse such feeling.

class jazz, 07 Mar 2008
jack teagarden is a jazz star up there with louis armstrong.his singing , playing and backing on clarinet by henry cuesta are a pleasure to listen to.one for the music library.enjoy.

JAZZ LEGEND'S TRIUMPHS, 29 Mar 2004
This triple set celebrates the career of the admired musician during his most productive period from 1928-1947. With warmly unique trombone style heavily influenced by the blues but mixed with a hint of Dixieland, Teagarden set the standard for all his contemporaries. By occasionally adding vocals, his personality developed in a similar way to Louis Armstrong. His links with many band formations and musicians; Goodman, Eddie Condon, Paul Whiteman, Joe Venuti, Coleman Hawkins and Bobby Hackett: singers - Lee Wiley, Hot Lips Page, Johnny Mercer amongst them: songs, I'VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES, THE SHEIK OF ARABY, THAT'S A SERIOUS THING and ST LOUIS BLUES, provide just a few clues to what is contained amongst the 72 tracks which never fails to entertain and boasts great sound quality.

CELEBRATION OF TEAGARDEN - THE JAZZ LEGEND, 21 Mar 2004
This triple set celebrates the career of Jack Teagarden, the admired musician during his most productive period from 1928-1947. With warmly unique trombone style heavily influenced by the blues but mixed with a hint of Dixieland, Teagarden set the standard for all his contemporaries. By occasionally adding vocals, his personality developed in a similar way to Louis Armstrong. His links with many band formations and musicians; Goodman, Eddie Condon, Paul Whiteman, Joe Venuti, Coleman Hawkins and Bobby Hackett: singers - Lee Wiley, Hot Lips Page, Johnny Mercer amongst them: songs, I’VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES, THE SHEIK OF ARABY, THAT’S A SERIOUS THING and ST LOUIS BLUES, provide just a few clues to what is contained amongst the 72 tracks which never fails to entertain and boasts great sound quality.

At the height of the swing era, small-group jazz sometimes found itself neglected by record companies. Thus began the rise of the devoted independent label willing to record music without great sales potential. This CD combines excellent material from unrelated sessions recorded in 1938 and 1940 by the Hot Record Society. Jack Teagarden's octet--which includes a number of Duke Ellington sidemen, including Rex Stewart, Barney Bigard, and Ben Webster--emphasizes Teagarden's lyricism, as on the rich dirge of "St. James Infirmary," here extended to the unusual length of four minutes. The uniquely laconic clarinetist Pee Wee Russell leads a lively Dixieland octet and trio, both featuring James P. Johnson and the inspired drums and voice of New Orleans's Zutty Singleton. --Stuart Broomer

The Celtic Tenors, 17 Nov 2003
Quality of CD: clear, clean sounds
Voice Quality: Absolutely heavenly.
Choice of lyrics: Brilliant
General: Fantastic voices and great harmony.
Waiting for third album to be available.

The Celtic Tenors, 20 Aug 2003
Having heard this group support Dionne Warwick, ha to find their cd's and so purchsed from Amazon. Good music, slightly operatic but performed differently. Anntunes are good and if you cna see them live, go - you will enjoy

I found this CD absolutely amazing., 18 Mar 2002
I found Celtic Tenors CD to be excellent, your found yourself be drawn into their music, their voices was the best I have heard yet and am looking forward till their new CD. I would recommend anyone to buying this.

A roller-coaster!!, 16 May 2001
I certainly agree with the reviewer who found the songs lively and even brooding - the great fun and energy they have when singing live is well captured in this album, and nicely interwoven with emotionally charged songs. Irelands Call best typifies this great roller-coaster ride of a CD which has a wide appeal and whets the appetitite to see them live once more!!

Wonderful!, 07 Feb 2001
This first cd-album by The Celtic Tenors - a group of young Irish tenors who have been performing together very successfully for the past couple of years - is a joy to listen to. Especially moving are tracks No 1, Caledonia, and No 6, The Quiet Land of Erin, and indeed Danny Boy (No 3). We certainly look forward to hearing more from these charming lads - whom we were very happy to see in concert when vising Dublin during the Summer. On that occasion their rendering of Ireland's Call (track No 9 on the album) nearly brought the house down! It was fantastic to see how three young lads and a song could rouse such feeling.

class jazz, 07 Mar 2008
jack teagarden is a jazz star up there with louis armstrong.his singing , playing and backing on clarinet by henry cuesta are a pleasure to listen to.one for the music library.enjoy.

JAZZ LEGEND'S TRIUMPHS, 29 Mar 2004
This triple set celebrates the career of the admired musician during his most productive period from 1928-1947. With warmly unique trombone style heavily influenced by the blues but mixed with a hint of Dixieland, Teagarden set the standard for all his contemporaries. By occasionally adding vocals, his personality developed in a similar way to Louis Armstrong. His links with many band formations and musicians; Goodman, Eddie Condon, Paul Whiteman, Joe Venuti, Coleman Hawkins and Bobby Hackett: singers - Lee Wiley, Hot Lips Page, Johnny Mercer amongst them: songs, I'VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES, THE SHEIK OF ARABY, THAT'S A SERIOUS THING and ST LOUIS BLUES, provide just a few clues to what is contained amongst the 72 tracks which never fails to entertain and boasts great sound quality.

CELEBRATION OF TEAGARDEN - THE JAZZ LEGEND, 21 Mar 2004
This triple set celebrates the career of Jack Teagarden, the admired musician during his most productive period from 1928-1947. With warmly unique trombone style heavily influenced by the blues but mixed with a hint of Dixieland, Teagarden set the standard for all his contemporaries. By occasionally adding vocals, his personality developed in a similar way to Louis Armstrong. His links with many band formations and musicians; Goodman, Eddie Condon, Paul Whiteman, Joe Venuti, Coleman Hawkins and Bobby Hackett: singers - Lee Wiley, Hot Lips Page, Johnny Mercer amongst them: songs, I’VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES, THE SHEIK OF ARABY, THAT’S A SERIOUS THING and ST LOUIS BLUES, provide just a few clues to what is contained amongst the 72 tracks which never fails to entertain and boasts great sound quality.

Historical jazz ecordings and broadcasts for the connoisseur, 08 Mar 2001
This CD is for enthusiastic followers of the tailgate trombone playing of Kid Ory. It is a jazz collector's item, and careful attention will bring rewards, but it is not easy listening.

The CD includes 6 tracks recorded in 1922 with "Ory's Creole Trombone" and "Society Blues" being 2 of Ory's own classic compositions. All are played in a New Orleans style, but the other 4 tracks are merely accompaniments to obscure vaudeville/blues singers. There is then a gap of 22 years to the next track "Mutt's Blues", being a less than perfect quality radio recording. More importantly to me this number is a poor choice from a range of classic numbers broadcast by the Orson Welles Mercury Wonder Show at the same time in 1944. More importantly still, this CD has none of the majestic recordings made immediately after 1922 in the next few years when Kid Ory played with all the famous "greats" including King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton.

My favourite tracks on the CD are the 8 recordings made in 1945 by Kid Ory and his Creole Jazz Band with classic numbers "Dippermouth Blues", "Savoy Blues", "High Society", "Ballin' The Jack", "Muskrat Ramble", "The Girls Go Crazy" and a delightful Creole number "Blanche Touquatoux". Though universally admired, and much copied, Kid Ory has been described as having a limited range. The Creole Jazz Band recordings dispel such criticism with demonstrations of Kid Ory's own diverse playing and his solid contributions to and stimulation of front line and rhythm backing. When extolling the virtues of legendary jazz musicians, enthusiasts often overlook the poor quality of the original recordings, and listeners coming new to the music can be disappointed at what they hear. Without attentive listening these tracks will not exhibit their full potential.

The final 9 tracks are from This Is Jazz broadcasts in 1947. The desire was to present traditional New Orleans style jazz, but the personnel line-up was not entirely suited to this, and again the quality of recordings is distinctly "low-fi". However the choice of numbers is highly commendable with classics "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans", "Oh Didn't He Ramble", "Snag It", "Maryland, My Maryland", "Savoy Blues", "Weary Blues" and light-hearted vocals on "Down Among The Sheltering Palms" and "Creole Song".

I do not claim to be a connoisseur, but I am an enthusiastic disciple of Kid Ory, and I have recently submitted a review giving "5-stars" to another Kid Ory CD. With the criterion of easy listening the jazz on this CD deserves no better than "3-stars", but even so it capably covers historical recordings and broadcasts, and it should be included in any serious jazz collection.

Frank Sinatra had yet to escape the artistic shadow of Bing Crosby when he sang Crosby's self-mocking "Learn to Croon" as part of a 1940 Dorsey-band broadcast medley. (As for Our Gang's Alfalfa, who also essayed the tune, he never did escape.) Learn to Croon collects more Dorsey-Sinatra performances from the trove that produced its companion volume, It's All So New! Unburdened by that CD's load of amateur-song-contest submissions, Croon focuses instead on Sinatra-Dorsey-Jo Stafford "Memory Medleys" and some hot ensemble band work. A sweet, swinging, amusing look back at the days of Sinatra's very early stardom. --Rickey Wright

Of all the traditional revivalists of the 1940s and 1950s, trombonist Kid Ory had the deepest roots and the most illustrious career, reaching back to New Orleans at the turn of the century and to the first authentic jazz recording sessions in the early 1920s. His groups demonstrated the highest levels of musicianship, mixing New Orleans veterans with younger players, and that's clearly in evidence in this fine set. This edition of the group--a septet including trumpeter Alvin Alcorn, pianist Don Ewell, and drummer Minor Hall--brings something special, whether stately or joyous, to a program that includes "Gettysburg March," Jelly Roll Morton's "Wolverine Blues," and Ory's signature "Muskrat Ramble." --Stuart Broomer

The Celtic Tenors, 17 Nov 2003
Quality of CD: clear, clean sounds
Voice Quality: Absolutely heavenly.
Choice of lyrics: Brilliant
General: Fantastic voices and great harmony.
Waiting for third album to be available.

The Celtic Tenors, 20 Aug 2003
Having heard this group support Dionne Warwick, ha to find their cd's and so purchsed from Amazon. Good music, slightly operatic but performed differently. Anntunes are good and if you cna see them live, go - you will enjoy

I found this CD absolutely amazing., 18 Mar 2002
I found Celtic Tenors CD to be excellent, your found yourself be drawn into their music, their voices was the best I have heard yet and am looking forward till their new CD. I would recommend anyone to buying this.

A roller-coaster!!, 16 May 2001
I certainly agree with the reviewer who found the songs lively and even brooding - the great fun and energy they have when singing live is well captured in this album, and nicely interwoven with emotionally charged songs. Irelands Call best typifies this great roller-coaster ride of a CD which has a wide appeal and whets the appetitite to see them live once more!!

Wonderful!, 07 Feb 2001
This first cd-album by The Celtic Tenors - a group of young Irish tenors who have been performing together very successfully for the past couple of years - is a joy to listen to. Especially moving are tracks No 1, Caledonia, and No 6, The Quiet Land of Erin, and indeed Danny Boy (No 3). We certainly look forward to hearing more from these charming lads - whom we were very happy to see in concert when vising Dublin during the Summer. On that occasion their rendering of Ireland's Call (track No 9 on the album) nearly brought the house down! It was fantastic to see how three young lads and a song could rouse such feeling.

class jazz, 07 Mar 2008
jack teagarden is a jazz star up there with louis armstrong.his singing , playing and backing on clarinet by henry cuesta are a pleasure to listen to.one for the music library.enjoy.

JAZZ LEGEND'S TRIUMPHS, 29 Mar 2004
This triple set celebrates the career of the admired musician during his most productive period from 1928-1947. With warmly unique trombone style heavily influenced by the blues but mixed with a hint of Dixieland, Teagarden set the standard for all his contemporaries. By occasionally adding vocals, his personality developed in a similar way to Louis Armstrong. His links with many band formations and musicians; Goodman, Eddie Condon, Paul Whiteman, Joe Venuti, Coleman Hawkins and Bobby Hackett: singers - Lee Wiley, Hot Lips Page, Johnny Mercer amongst them: songs, I'VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES, THE SHEIK OF ARABY, THAT'S A SERIOUS THING and ST LOUIS BLUES, provide just a few clues to what is contained amongst the 72 tracks which never fails to entertain and boasts great sound quality.

CELEBRATION OF TEAGARDEN - THE JAZZ LEGEND, 21 Mar 2004
This triple set celebrates the career of Jack Teagarden, the admired musician during his most productive period from 1928-1947. With warmly unique trombone style heavily influenced by the blues but mixed with a hint of Dixieland, Teagarden set the standard for all his contemporaries. By occasionally adding vocals, his personality developed in a similar way to Louis Armstrong. His links with many band formations and musicians; Goodman, Eddie Condon, Paul Whiteman, Joe Venuti, Coleman Hawkins and Bobby Hackett: singers - Lee Wiley, Hot Lips Page, Johnny Mercer amongst them: songs, I’VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES, THE SHEIK OF ARABY, THAT’S A SERIOUS THING and ST LOUIS BLUES, provide just a few clues to what is contained amongst the 72 tracks which never fails to entertain and boasts great sound quality.

Historical jazz ecordings and broadcasts for the connoisseur, 08 Mar 2001
This CD is for enthusiastic followers of the tailgate trombone playing of Kid Ory. It is a jazz collector's item, and careful attention will bring rewards, but it is not easy listening.

The CD includes 6 tracks recorded in 1922 with "Ory's Creole Trombone" and "Society Blues" being 2 of Ory's own classic compositions. All are played in a New Orleans style, but the other 4 tracks are merely accompaniments to obscure vaudeville/blues singers. There is then a gap of 22 years to the next track "Mutt's Blues", being a less than perfect quality radio recording. More importantly to me this number is a poor choice from a range of classic numbers broadcast by the Orson Welles Mercury Wonder Show at the same time in 1944. More importantly still, this CD has none of the majestic recordings made immediately after 1922 in the next few years when Kid Ory played with all the famous "greats" including King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton.

My favourite tracks on the CD are the 8 recordings made in 1945 by Kid Ory and his Creole Jazz Band with classic numbers "Dippermouth Blues", "Savoy Blues", "High Society", "Ballin' The Jack", "Muskrat Ramble", "The Girls Go Crazy" and a delightful Creole number "Blanche Touquatoux". Though universally admired, and much copied, Kid Ory has been described as having a limited range. The Creole Jazz Band recordings dispel such criticism with demonstrations of Kid Ory's own diverse playing and his solid contributions to and stimulation of front line and rhythm backing. When extolling the virtues of legendary jazz musicians, enthusiasts often overlook the poor quality of the original recordings, and listeners coming new to the music can be disappointed at what they hear. Without attentive listening these tracks will not exhibit their full potential.

The final 9 tracks are from This Is Jazz broadcasts in 1947. The desire was to present traditional New Orleans style jazz, but the personnel line-up was not entirely suited to this, and again the quality of recordings is distinctly "low-fi". However the choice of numbers is highly commendable with classics "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans", "Oh Didn't He Ramble", "Snag It", "Maryland, My Maryland", "Savoy Blues", "Weary Blues" and light-hearted vocals on "Down Among The Sheltering Palms" and "Creole Song".

I do not claim to be a connoisseur, but I am an enthusiastic disciple of Kid Ory, and I have recently submitted a review giving "5-stars" to another Kid Ory CD. With the criterion of easy listening the jazz on this CD deserves no better than "3-stars", but even so it capably covers historical recordings and broadcasts, and it should be included in any serious jazz collection.

Brothers Up In Arms, 28 Jun 2007
The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra was something of a misnomer, because the younger Tommy was effectively the boss, and the arguments that situation engendered led to he and Jimmy going their separate ways in 1935. This set includes recordings from their joint venture, but concentrates for the most part on the peak recordings each achieved thereafter in his own right. The result enables us to appreciate a variety of moods, from sweet and sentimental to outright jazz, spanning a period of some eighteen years. Jimmy tended to place more emphasis on the vocals, but Tommy made up for lost time when he lured the young Sinatra away from Harry James. This is an excellent compilation, beautifully remastered, and at an unbelievable price. However, it's now been replaced by the Essential Collection of the Dorsey Brothers, exactly the same format, but repackaged.