Hoagy Carmichael: In Person 1925-1955

Of all the major popular songwriters from 1920 to 1960, other than Duke Ellington and Fats Waller, Hoagy Carmichael had the closest association with jazz. The 10-CD British import box In Person 1925-1955 (Avid) contains nearly all of his recordings as a pianist and singer. The studio sides are joined by two CDs of radio appearances, lots of private recordings and a final disc that has Hoagy’s contemporaries mostly performing tunes he did not record himself. Not all of the music is jazz (some of the radio numbers are closer to country) but one can almost always hear the spirit of Bix Beiderbecke in Carmichael’s performances. This definitive set includes virtually everything significant in his musical life except for his 1956 Pacific Jazz album.

Originally Published May 1, 2007