What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

All His Best -- CD

Brook Benton

1991 The Special Music Company

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening....

Watershed -- Deluxe Edition 2 CD Box Set

kd lang

2008 Nonesuch Records

Amazon.co.uk
Watershed is the first major project from celebrated Canadian chanteuse k.d. lang since 2004's Hymns of the 49th Parallel. Where Hymns explored the music of fellow Canadians such as Ron Sexsmith, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, Watershed represents the first set of original songs from lang in around eight years. Self-produced and arranged by musicians she has worked with a lot in the past, the most striking aspect of the album is its intimate, homely feel. Adding to the cozy ambience is the fact that Watershed brings most of lang's musical passions and influences--jazz, country, folk, bossa nova--under one roof, lending the project a dreamy, mellifluous coherence. But if the musical landscape is mellow and easy to traverse, Lang's lyrics can be less comfortable. Using her laid-back, often ethereal arrangements as sugar-candied coating for thornier topics, the singer serenades with stories of broken love, occasionally harsh self-analysis and the obligatory forays into existential angst. These contrastive elements only serve to make the album stronger, adding emotional weight to the airless arrangements of "Once in a While," and the delicate "Close Your Eyes," and conjuring up images of beauty on the string-laden "I Dream of Spring," and the wonderfully lazy "Sunday". Intelligent, mature and sophisticated, Watershed is the kind of perfect pop album it's difficult not to fall in love with immediately and forever. --Paul Sullivan
Product Description

Deluxe packaging - UniBox with cloth wrap and embossed foil stamp, box contains 3 photo insert cards, 2 babyjacket CD sleeves, and 16-page 4/C booklet. Second cd includes 4 bonus tracks and interview.

All songs written and composed by k.d. lang and David Piltch, except where noted.
No. Title Length
1. "I Dream of Spring" 4:00
2. "Je fais la planche" (lang, Ben Mink) 2:51
3. "Coming Home" 3:26
4. "Once in a While" (lang) 3:27
5. "Thread" 3:38
6. "Close Your Eyes" (Teddy Borowieski, lang, Greg Leisz, Piltch) 4:26
7. "Sunday" (Borowieski, lang) 4:17
8. "Flame of the Uninspired" (lang, Mink) 3:30
9. "Upstream" 3:37
10. "Shadow and the Frame" (Borowiecki, lang, Meredith) 3:07
11. "Jealous Dog" 2:32
Bonus live tracks
No. Title Length
1. "I Dream of Spring" 3:45
2. "Wash Me Clean" (lang) 4:11
3. "The Valley" (Jane Siberry) 6:20
4. "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) 5:22

 

[Botch]

Chick had just come out of a long hiatus from electric instruments when he put together his Elektric Band. On this, their debut, the band still wasn't fully formed (two guitarists, and Eric Marienthal on sax wasn't with them yet) but the tight rhythm section of Dave Weckl and John Patitucci were there, and this whole album just crackles. I think its the best the CCEB ever released.

 

[Botch]

 

[Dennie]

I'll Join you Botch......except Akoustic......

Chick Corea Akoustic Band CD

Chick Corea Akoustic Band

1989 GRP Records

amazing, February 4, 2005
By Anon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Akoustic Band (Audio CD)

Chick Corea's best music is decidedly his acoustic setups, and the Akoustic Band, in my opinion, is the best out of those.

I don't think anyone denies that Corea is probably the most technically accomplished jazz pianist alive today. His unique harmonic language is instantly recognizable and he can play with a speed and energy unmatched among pianists.

This CD is half his take on jazz standards, and half originals. A must-buy for jazz fans and neophytes alike.

"Bessie's Blues" (Coltrane) – 4:57
"My One and Only Love" (Gershwin, Gershwin, Mellin, Wood) – 4:47
"So in Love" (Porter) – 6:55
"Sophisticated Lady" (Ellington, Mills, Parish) – 5:07
"Autumn Leaves" (Kosma, Mercer, Prevert) – 8:16
"Someday My Prince Will Come" (Churchill, Churchill, Morey) – 6:14
"Morning Sprite" (Chick Corea) – 6:33
"T.B.C (Terminal Baggage Claim)" (Corea) – 5:15
"Circles" (Corea) – 6:33
"Spain" (Corea) – 5:52

Recorded at Clinton Recording Studios, NYC

 

[Botch]

:handgestures-thumbup: :handgestures-thumbup: :handgestures-thumbup: I have both Akoustic disks too. :music-listening:

 

[Dennie]

:handgestures-thumbup: :handgestures-thumbup: :handgestures-thumbup: I have both Akoustic disks too. :music-listening:

All good stuff! :bow-blue:



Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Time Out -- Remastered CD

The Dave Brubeck Quartet

1959/1997 Columbia Legacy

Amazon.com essential recording

Boasting the first jazz instrumental to sell a million copies, the Paul Desmond-penned "Take Five," Time Out captures the celebrated jazz quartet at the height of both its popularity and its powers. Recorded in 1959, the album combines superb performances by pianist Brubeck, alto saxophonist Desmond, drummer Joe Morrello and bassist Gene Wright. Along with "Take Five," the album features another one of the group's signature compositions, "Blue Rondo a la Turk." Though influenced by the West Coast-cool school, Brubeck's greatest interest and contribution to jazz was the use of irregular meters in composition, which he did with great flair. Much of the band's appeal is due to Desmond, whose airy tone and fluid attack often carried the band's already strong performances to another level. Together, he and Brubeck proved one of the most potent pairings of the era. --Fred Goodman

All pieces composed by Dave Brubeck, except "Take Five" by Paul Desmond.
Side one

"Blue Rondo à la Turk" – 6:44
"Strange Meadow Lark" – 7:22
"Take Five" – 5:24

Side two

"Three to Get Ready" – 5:24
"Kathy's Waltz" – 4:48
"Everybody's Jumpin'" – 4:23
"Pick Up Sticks" – 4:16

 

[Dennie]

Midnight Special

The Incredible Jimmy Smith

1960 Blue Note Records

A1 Midnight Special
A2 A Subtle One
B1 Jumpin' The Blues
B2 Why Was I Born
B3 One O'Clock Jump Drums - Donald Bailey

Guitar - Kenny Burrell
Organ - Jimmy Smith
Saxophone - Stanley Turrentine

 

[Dennie]

Jimmy & Wes -The Dynamic Duo

Jimmy Smith & Was Montgomery

1966 Verve Records

Creed Taylor matched two of his most famous artists, Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith, on this session (Montgomery's last for Verve), and the results are incendiary -- a near-ideal meeting of yin and yang. Smith comes at your throat with his big attacks and blues runs while Montgomery responds with rounder, smoother octaves and single notes that still convey much heat. They are an amazing pair, complementing each other, driving each other, using their bop and blues taproots to fuse together a sound. The romping, aggressive big band charts -- Oliver Nelson at his best -- on "Down by the Riverside" and "Night Train," and the pungently haunting chart for Gary McFarland's "13" (Death March)" still leave plenty of room for the soloists to stretch out. "James and Wes" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" include drummer Grady Tate and conguero Ray Barretto, with Smith's own feet working the organ pedals.

# Down by the Riverside (Traditional) - 10:02
# Night Train (Jimmy Forrest, Lewis Simpkins, Oscar Washington) - 6:48
# James and Wes (Jimmy Smith) - 8:13
# 13 (Death March) (Gary McFarland) - 5:22
# Baby, It's Cold Outside (Frank Loesser) - 6:05

11893

 

[Dennie]

Down Here On The Ground

Wes Montgomery

1968 A&M Records

Reunited, April 30, 2002
By Colin Thompson (Atlanta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Down Here on the Ground (Audio CD)


As a teenager this was my favorite album, It haunted me for 30 years and I found it again recently on the internet. It is my car music, my answering machine music, my music to gift friends with. Not to mention the joy of introducing it to younger generations. Yes, it's timeless but it's more; it is a culmination of talent and spirituality fit for every musical taste.

"Wind Song" (Dave Alpert, Nick Ceroli, Neil Larsen, John Pisano, Paul Francis Webster) – 2:22
"Georgia on My Mind" (Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell) – 2:46
"The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener" (Tony Hatch, Jackie Trent) – 2:36
"Down Here on the Ground" (Lalo Schifrin, Gale Garnett) – 3:42
"Up and at It" (Wes Montgomery) – 4:15
"Goin' on to Detroit" (Montgomery) – 3:38
"I Say a Little Prayer for You" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) – 3:18
"When I Look in Your Eyes" (Leslie Bricusse) – 3:11
"Know It All (Quem Diz Que Sabe)" (João Donato, Paulo Valle) – 2:59
"The Fox" (Lalo Schifrin) – 2:56

Wes Montgomery – guitar
Herbie Hancock – piano
Ron Carter – bass
Grady Tate – drums
Ray Barretto – percussion
Hubert Laws – flute, oboe
George Marge – flute, oboe
Romeo Penque – flute, oboe
Bobby Rosengarden – percussion
Mike Mainieri – vibraphone
Gene Orloff – violin
Raoul Poliakin – violin
George Ricci – cello
Emanuel Vardi – viola

 

[Dennie]

A Day In The Life

Wes Montgomery

1967 A&M Records Superb Album, November 2, 2010

By rusty davis - See all my reviews
This review is from: Day in the Life (Audio CD)

I think most people who give this album sub-par reviews are full of rotten baloney, period, and are lacking in the ability to hear and appreciate beautiful music. While I love 'fingerpickin', 'wes montgomery trio' as much as the next jazz listener, i think 'Day in the Life', 'Down Here on the Ground', etc., represent some of the most melodically inventive, perfectionally phrased improvisations in all of Wes' repertoire. Also, as the orchestrations here are, at times, quite reflective of an admittedly "Muzaky"-oriented sound, I see how some biased listeners might casually dismiss the album altogether. But as i am actually quite fond of muzak in all its varying aspects (from early exotica, to full blown pastiche throwbacks via Elfman scores like Beetlejuice/Batman/Mars Attacks,etc.), this simply adds to my deep love of the whole panorama of Wes' musical contributions. Don Sebesky's arranging and conducting on this and other albums is extraordinary-(he's also done some great work with earl klugh). This, like all other wes albums, deserves five stars.

1. "A Day in the Life" John Lennon, Paul McCartney 5:45
2. "Watch What Happens" Jacques Demy, Norman Gimbel, Michel Legrand 2:43
3. "When a Man Loves a Woman" Calvin Lewis, Andrew Wright 2:52
4. "California Nights" Marvin Hamlisch, Howard Liebling 2:29
5. "Angel" Wes Montgomery 2:46
6. "Eleanor Rigby" Lennon, McCartney 3:04
7. "Willow Weep for Me" Ann Ronell 4:31
8. "Windy" Ruthann Friedman 2:20
9. "Trust in Me" Milton Ager, Arthur Schwartz, Jean Schwarz, Ned Wever 4:25
10. "The Joker" Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley 3:26

 

[Dennie]

California Dreaming

Wes Montgomery

1966 Verve Records

A Charming 60's Musical Bouquet, August 3, 2005
By Marc Flanagan "Reading Through Lunch" (Santa Monica, Ca.)

This review is from: California Dreamin (Audio CD)

I have a sentimental attachment to this recording by Wes Montgomery. I bought the LP when it came out in 1965 or 66, everytime I play it, it takes me back to that era of recording. It is heavily orchestrated by Don Sebesky, but it does not obscure the unique sound produced by Montomery. I Love his rendition of "Sunny" and "California Dreaming". Beautiful music, and one of his last albums before his untimely death in 1968. You can't go wrong with Wes.

"California Dreaming" (John Phillips, Michelle Phillips) – 3:08
"Sun Down" (Wes Montgomery) – 6:03
"Oh, You Crazy Moon" Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) – 3:44
"More, More, Amor" (Sol Lake) – 2:54
"Without You" (Marino, Myers) – 3:05
"Winds of Barcelona" (Lake) – 3:07
"Sunny [alternate take]" (Bobby Hebb) – 3:07
"Sunny" (Hebb) – 4:04
"Green Peppers" (Lake) – 2:56
"Mr. Walker" (Montgomery) – 3:39
"South of the Border" (Jimmy Kennedy, Michael Carr) – 3:13

 

[Dennie]

Night Train

The Oscar Peterson Trio

1962 Verve Records

Outstanding and essential jazz piano, July 12, 2002
By Jon Warshawsky "Sinatra Guru" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)

Night Train is one of the best jazz piano albums I have yet to hear. Oscar Peterson is spellbinding -- both at breakneck and leisurely speeds -- and the ensemble is tight. Favorites here include Ellington's C-Jam Blues (only two notes!), The Honeydripper, Moten Swing, a definitive Band Call and of course a memorable rendition of the title track. I am a huge fan of Dave Brubeck, but one ride on the Night Train and it's obvious Peterson was something special. If you like exciting jazz piano -- this isn't background music -- Night Train is essential.

Side One
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Happy Go Lucky Local (A.K.A. Night Train)" Duke Ellington 4:52
2. "C Jam Blues" Barney Bigard, Ellington 3:26
3. "Georgia on My Mind" Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell 3:46
4. "Bags' Groove" Milt Jackson 5:43
5. "Moten Swing" Benny Moten 2:55
6. "Easy Does It" Sy Oliver, Trummy Young 2:45
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
7. "The Honeydripper" Joe Liggins 2:24
8. "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" Mercer Ellington, Ted Parsons 4:38
9. "I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good)" Ellington, Paul Francis Webster 5:08
10. "Band Call" Ellington 3:55
11. "Hymn to Freedom" Oscar Peterson 5:38

Oscar Peterson - piano
Ray Brown - double bass
Ed Thigpen - drums

 

[Dennie]

Shelly Mann 2, 3, 4

Shelly Mann

1962 Impulse Records


This unique session contains five selections from a date featuring the great tenor Coleman Hawkins, pianist Hank Jones, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Shelly Manne. Both Take the 'A' Train and Cherokee find the group at times playing two tempos at once and showing that they had heard some of the avant-garde players. The most swinging piece, Avalon, was previously available only on a sampler while Me and Some Drums features Hawkins and Manne in a very effective duet with the veteran tenor making his only recorded appearance on piano during the first half. The set is rounded out by a pair of trio features for Eddie Costa (with Duvivier and Manne); one song apiece on vibes and drums. A very interesting set with more than its share of surprises.

A1 Take The "A" Train 7:23
A2 The Sicks Of Us 5:53
Piano, Vibraphone - Eddie Costa
A3 Slowly 5:27
B1 Lean On Me 6:18
Piano, Vibraphone - Eddie Costa
B2 Cherokee 3:22
B3 Me And Some Drums 5:54


Credits
Bass - George Duvivier (tracks: A1 to A3, B1, B2)
Drums - Shelly Manne
Piano - Hank Jones (tracks: A1, A3, B2)
Producer - Bob Thiele
Saxophone [Tenor], Piano - Coleman Hawkins (tracks: A1, A3, B2, B3)

 

[Dennie]

BOSS SOUNDS!

Shelly Manne and his Men at Shelly's Manne-Hole

1966 Atlantic Records

Although drummer Shelly Manne was closely associated with the Contemporary label for many years, he also recorded for other companies after Contemporary slowed down operations. This particular session was a set that was cut for Atlantic.

The 1966 version of Shelly Manne's Men (altoist Frank Strozier, trumpeter Conte Candoli, pianist Russ Freeman, and bassist Monty Budwig) played in a similar style to his 1950s groups. Only Strozier hints (and only slightly in spots) at the avant-garde explorations then going on elsewhere. The quintet performs three group originals, an obscurity, "The Breeze and I," and "Margie" (which was arranged by Jimmy Rowles). Fine hard bop music. Very highly recommended not only to jazz mavens, but newbies to jazz as well. One of the great recorded sessions at his night spot.

Track Listing:

1 Margie
2 Idle One
3 The Breeze and I
4 Frank's Tune
5 Wandering
6 You Name It Freeman

Musician Credits:

Shelly Manne - Drums
Frank Strozier- Sax (Alto)
Monty Budwig - Bass
Conte Candoli - Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Russ Freeman - Arranger, Piano

 

[Dennie]

Lionel ...Plays Drums, Vibes, Piano

Lionel Hampton

1958 Audio Fidelity

Featuring: Lionel Hampton (vib, p, d, vcl), Bobby Plater (fl, as, ts, cl), Eddie Bert, Bobby Byrne (tb), Tommy Flanagan, Oscar Dennard (p), Billy Mackel, Skeeter Best (g), George Duvivier (b), Elvin Jones, Wilbert

A1 Just One Of Those Things Written-By – Porter* 3:25
A2 Thoughts Of Thelma (Lazy Thoughts) Written-By – Delaney*, Hampton*,Frey3:20
A3 The Man I Love Written-By – Gershwin* 3:12
A4 One Step From HeavenWritten-By – Hampton*, Frey* 3:03
A5 Darn That Dream Written-By – DeLange*, Van Heusen* 3:35
A6 StardustWritten-By – Carmichael*, Parrish* 7:30
B1 Tracking Problem Written-By – Hampton*, Frey* 4:15
B2 Lullaby Of Birdland Written-By – Shearing* 3:00
B3 Blues For Stephen Written-By – Delaney*, Hampton*, Frey* 2:36
B4 And The Angels Sing Written-By – Mercer*, Ellman* 3:45
B5 Our Love Is Here To Stay Written-By – Gershwin* 2:57
B6 I Know That You Know Written-By – Caldwell*, Harbach*, Youmans* 2:30

 

[Dennie]

Live At The Blue Note -- CD

Lionel Hampton and The Golden Men Of Jazz

1991 Telarc Jazz

Current Lionel Hampton, June 4, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Golden Men of Jazz / Live at Blue Note (Audio CD)

Hampton got together with a bunch of old buddies in the early 1990s to make this great CD. Still smiling and playing, Hampton plays right through these songs. Backed by greats: Milt Hinton, Grady Tate, Buddy Tate, James Moody, Al Grey, Clark Terry, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Hank Jones. The tune "Flyin' Home" is always a Hampton favorite and James Moody shows his goofy side on "Moody's Mood For Love." The CD ends at the end of the set at the Blue Note as the horn players are leaving, Hampton calls another tune. They play a short "Boogie-Woogie" with just the rhythm section, Lionel, and Al Grey. Very enjoyable CD.

01 16:27 Ow!
02 9:58 Hamp's Note
03 3:44 Moody's Mood For Love
04 8:17 I Wish I Knew
05 9:45 Lover
06 6:12 Flyin' Home
07 3:41 Hamp's Boogie Woogie

 

[PaulyT]

Lotta good stuff today, there, Dennie! Well, at least, a lot more stuff I recognize.

 

[Dennie]

Part 2 .... :banana-rock: :banana-dance:

Just Jazz: Live At The Blue Note -- CD

Lionel Hampton and The Golden Men Of Jazz

1992 Telarc Jazz

The second of two volumes by "the Golden Men of Jazz" at the Blue Note in New York, this CD is not at the same level as the first with several almost chaotic spots; listen to how Lionel Hampton tries to hog the spotlight on "Ring Dem Bells." There are some good moments from Clark Terry, James Moody and Al Grey (although Harry Edison and Buddy Tate show their age a bit) but the earlier release, Live at the Blue Note, is a better performance. Nevertheless it's a collectors item for the Hampton fans !!!!

Personnel:

Lionel Hampton - Vibes
Harry "Sweets" Edison - Trumpet & Flúgelhorn
James Moody - Tenor Saxophone
Buddy Tate - Tenor Saxophone
Al Grey - Trombone
Hank Jones - Piano
Milt Hinton - Bass
Grady Tate – Drums

Tracklist:

01 Corner Pocket
02 Just Jazz
03 Body and Soul
04 God Bless the Child
05 Ring Dem Bells
06 Flying Home