Sony’s Ambitious Boxed Set: the Century’s Top 547 Tunes

Definitive performances? Well, sure, for the ones that are included. And there’s a lot to be pleased about, from Bessie Smith’s “St. Louis Blues” and Louis Armstrong’s “West End Blues” to Miles Davis’ “So What” to Weather Report’s “Birdland.” But Columbia honored jazz in fits and starts, and the gaps are noticeable: no Charlie Parker, no Ella Fitzgerald, no Sarah Vaughan, almost no John Coltrane or Bill Evans, very little bebop and almost none of the adventurous jazz of the ‘60s.

International

“International Pop Music” would have been a better title, possibly--subtitled “Latin Pop,” since the two-CD program begins with Ricky Martin and continues with nine more Spanish-language artists before reaching the rest of the world. When it does, the music proceeds with one mirror image of American and English pop after another: ballads from China, techno from Italy, hard rock from Australia, girl groups from Denmark (singing in English), rap from Belgium and so forth. The most intriguing moments are provided by the rare performers--including Greece’s Anna Vissi and Turkey’s Sertab Erener--who use Western recording techniques while still retaining a connection with their own cultures.

Broadway

Competition between record companies for original cast albums has always been fierce, but Columbia has come up with its fair share of riches, amply displayed in this two-CD set. To name only a few: Helen Morgan’s “Bill” from “Show Boat,” Mary Martin’s “A Wonderful Guy” (“South Pacific”) and Ethel Merman belting “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” (“Gypsy”). Are shows missing? Sure. “Annie Get Your Gun,” “The King and I,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Hair”--the list could go on. But there is plenty here to savor.