Sidney Bechet - Mosaic Select 22 [2006] (3 x CDs)

SUNDAY JAZZ

SIDNEY BECHET

Sidney Bechet - Mosaic Select 22 [2006] (3 x CDs)

Mosaic Select 22, released in 2006 as a three‑CD limited edition of five thousand sets, gathers Sidney Bechet recordings made between 1923 and 1947 for Columbia, OKeh, Variety and Vocalion. The material comes from original metal parts, lacquer discs and carefully sourced 78s, giving the set a strong archival foundation. These transfers reveal Bechet’s mastery of the soprano saxophone and clarinet, instruments he projected with a power and authority that shaped early jazz and influenced musicians across generations.

The first disc focuses on the Clarence Williams Blue Five and related small‑group sessions from the mid‑twenties, performances that show Bechet already fully formed in his twenties. The phrasing is bold, the tone unmistakable, and the interplay with the ensemble carries a sense of urgency that reflects the era’s studio limitations and musical ambition. Many of these sides are rare, often surviving only in fragile 78s, making their restoration an important part of the set’s value.

The second disc moves into the late thirties, beginning with Bechet’s work as a sideman in the Noble Sissle Orchestra. These recordings show how his sound could lift a big band, adding colour and drive without overwhelming the arrangement. The disc also includes a Vocalion session that pairs Bechet with baritone saxophonist Ernie Caceres, a meeting that highlights Bechet’s ability to adapt to different textures while maintaining his melodic identity. The first Columbia session under his leadership appears here as well, featuring his protégé Bob Wilber, whose understanding of Bechet’s style adds depth to the date.

The third disc presents material from 1947, recorded with Bechet’s quartet at Jimmy Ryan’s. These performances show him moving comfortably between traditional tunes and popular standards, shaping each piece with clarity and confidence. Several previously unissued takes appear here, adding further insight into his working methods.

Mosaic Select 22 offers a detailed view of Bechet’s craft, preserved with care and presented with respect for the music’s history. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Sidney Bechet - Wild Cat Blues 2:59

02 Sidney Bechet - Kansas City Man Blues 2:56

03 Sidney Bechet - Atlanta Blues 2:55

04 Sidney Bechet - Kansas City Man Blues 3:14

05 Sidney Bechet - Irresistible Blues 3:13

06 Sidney Bechet - Jazzin' Babies Blues 3:10

07 Sidney Bechet - 'Tain't Nobody's Bus'ness If I Do 2:48

08 Sidney Bechet - New Orleans Hop Scop Blues 2:54

09 Sidney Bechet - Oh Daddy 3:15

10 Sidney Bechet - Graveyard Dream Blues 3:10

11 Sidney Bechet - If I Let You Get Away with It 2:54

12 Sidney Bechet - Shreveport Blues 2:54

13 Sidney Bechet - Old Fashioned Love 3:03

14 Sidney Bechet - House Rent Blues 3:00

15 Sidney Bechet - Mean Blues 2:51

16 Sidney Bechet - Texas Monaner Bleus 3:11

17 Sidney Bechet - Early in the Morning 2:57

18 Sidney Bechet - You've Got the Right Key, But the Wrong Keyhole 3:14

19 Sidney Bechet - I'm So Glad I'm Brownskin 2:50

20 Sidney Bechet - Off and on Blues 2:49

21 Sidney Bechet - Mandy, Make Up Your Mind 3:08

22 Sidney Bechet - I'm a Little Blackbird Looking for a Bluebird 3:16

23 Sidney Bechet - Who'll Chop Your Suey When I'm Gone 3:22

24 Sidney Bechet - Cake Walking Babies from Home 3:00

25 Sidney Bechet - Harlem's Araby 3:08

CD2

01 Sidney Bechet - Bandana Days 2:50

02 Sidney Bechet - Bandana Days 2:50

03 Sidney Bechet - I'm Just Wild About Harry 2:47

04 Sidney Bechet - I'm Just Wild About Harry 2:49

05 Sidney Bechet - Dear Old Southland 2:58

06 Sidney Bechet - Okey-Doke 2:53

07 Sidney Bechet - Okey-Doke 2:52

08 Sidney Bechet - Characteristic Blues 2:54

09 Sidney Bechet - Characteristic Blues 2:51

10 Sidney Bechet - What a Dream 2:51

11 Sidney Bechet - What a Dream 2:50

12 Sidney Bechet - Hold Tight 2:36

13 Sidney Bechet - Hold Tight 2:35

14 Sidney Bechet - Jungle Drums 2:27

15 Sidney Bechet - Chant in the Night 2:22

16 Sidney Bechet - Spreadin' Joy 3:01

17 Sidney Bechet - Spreadin' Joy 2:57

18 Sidney Bechet - Spreadin' Joy 2:56

19 Sidney Bechet - I Had it But It's All Gone Now 3:16

20 Sidney Bechet - I Had it But It's All Gone Now 3:15

21 Sidney Bechet - I Had it But It's All Gone Now 3:16

22 Sidney Bechet - Polka Dot Stomp 2:36

23 Sidney Bechet - Kansas City Man Blues 2:41

24 Sidney Bechet - Kansas City Man Blues 2:39

25 Sidney Bechet - Kansas City Man Blues 2:40

CD3

01 Sidney Bechet - Buddy Bolden Stomp 3:07

02 Sidney Bechet - Buddy Bolden Stomp 2:45

03 Sidney Bechet - My Woman's Blues 3:08

04 Sidney Bechet - My Woman's Blues 3:10

05 Sidney Bechet - Song of Songs 3:11

06 Sidney Bechet - Love for Sale 5:13

07 Sidney Bechet - My Woman's Blues 2:53

08 Sidney Bechet - Just One of Those Things 3:04

09 Sidney Bechet - Just One of Those Things 3:12

10 Sidney Bechet - Just One of Those Things 3:11

11 Sidney Bechet - Love for Sale 3:18

12 Sidney Bechet - Love for Sale 2:48

13 Sidney Bechet - Love for Sale 2:41

14 Sidney Bechet - Laura 3:16

15 Sidney Bechet - Laura 3:07

16 Sidney Bechet - Song of Songs 2:58

17 Sidney Bechet - Shake 'Em Up 2:33

18 Sidney Bechet - Shake 'Em Up 2:29

19 Sidney Bechet - Shake 'Em Up 2:31

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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