What Are You Listening To?

[v8peters]

Love is a Kick

Frank Sinatra

1958 Columbia

 

[v8peters]

The Frank Sinatra Story in Music

Frank Sinatra

1958 Columbia

 

[Dennie]

Happy Saturday everyone... :banana-rock:

Big Bags -- Remastered CD

Milt Jackson Orchestra

1962/1989 Riverside/OJC Records

Vibraphonist Milt Jackson is backed by a big band for this change-of-pace release, reissued on CD along with two alternate takes. The Ernie Wilkins and Tadd Dameron arrangements fit the high-quality standards well and Jackson (who contributed two originals) is in top form. There are short solos for cornetist Nat Adderley, trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, and the tenors of James Moody and Jimmy Heath but Milt Jackson is the main voice throughout this melodic and always-swinging set. [Originally issued in 1962, Big Bags was reissued on CD in 1989 and includes bonus tracks not included on the LP.] ~ Scott Yanow

Track Listing
1. Old Devil Moon
2. 'Round Midnight (Take 2) - (take 2)
3. bonus track) 'Round Midnight (Take 1) - (Take 1
4. The Dream Is You
5. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
6. Echoes
7. If You Could See Me Now
8. Star Eyes (Take 5) - (Take 5)
9. bonus track) Star Eyes (Take 4) - (Take 4
10. Namesake
11. If I Should Lose You
12. Later Than You Think

Personnel: Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Jerome Richardson (flute, saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Jimmy Heath (flute, saxophone, tenor saxophone); James Moody (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); George Dorsey (flute, alto saxophone); Earle Warren (alto saxophone); Tate Houston, Arthur "Babe"Clarke (baritone saxophone); Clark Terry (trumpet, flugelhorn); Dave Burns, Doc Severinsen, Ernie Royal, Nat Adderley, Snooky Young, Bernie Glow (trumpet); Willie Ruff (French horn); Jimmy Cleveland, Melba Liston, Tom McIntosh, Paul Faulise (trombone); Hank Jones (piano); Connie Kay, Philly Joe Jones (drums).Liner Note Authors: Jon Goldberger ; Joe Goldberg.Recording information: Plaza Sound Studios, New York, NY (06/19/1962-07/05/1962).Director: Ernie Wilkins.Unknown Contributor Roles: Clark Terry; Doc Severinsen; Earle Warren; Hank Jones ; Jimmy Heath; James Moody ; Jimmy Cleveland; Melba Liston; Nat Adderley; Philly Joe Jones; Ron Carter ; Snooky Young; Arthur "Babe"Clarke .Arrangers: Ernie Wilkins; Tadd Dameron.

 

[Dennie]

Smokin' At The Half Note -- CD

Wynton Kelly Trio & Wes Montgomery

1965/1989 Verve Records

Product Description

Smokin' at the Half Note by Wes Montgomery and Wynton Kelly, originally released by Verve in 1965, shouldn't need a build-up for anyone whose ears have been open for the last 40 years. When you begin a live session with 13 minutes of "No Blues," a cornerstone of the Miles Davis Quintet with Hank Mobley, circa 1961, you'd better have your stuff together. Montgomery, one of a handful of truly great 20th century jazz guitarists, and Kelly, the ultimate piano accompanist, are backed by Miles' fabulous Kind of Blue rhythm section consisting of bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb. This 1965 live set, is indeed smoking! From a churning "If You Could See Me Now," written by bebop piano great Tadd Dameron, to Wes' own tour de force, "Four On Six," Montgomery and Kelly are two Jazz giants cutting loose with the best they've got.

1. "No Blues" (Miles Davis) – 13:00
2. "If You Could See Me Now" (Tadd Dameron, Carl Sigman) –8:21
3. "Unit 7" (Sam Jones) –6:45
4. "Four on Six" (Wes Montgomery) – 6:44
5. "What's New?" (Bob Haggart, Johnny Burke) – 6:11


* Wes Montgomery – guitar
* Wynton Kelly – piano
* Paul Chambers – bass
* Jimmy Cobb – drums
* Rudy Van Gelder – engineer

 

[Dennie]

Sittin' In -- Remastered 24 Bit CD

Dizzy Gillespie

1957/2005 Verve Records

SITTIN' IN is a jazz lover's dream come true. On this historic session, recorded in the summer of 1957, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, and Paul Gonsalves got together to create one of the most formidable frontlines ever captured on tape. The program, which includes "Dizzy Atmosphere," the chestnut "The Way You Look Tonight," and two lengthy ballad medleys, lets each horn player take a turn in the spotlight.The music blends West Coast cool, swing, bop, and hard-bop styles in a manner befitting each of the monumental leaders, and the whole is driven by a spry rhythm section consisting of bassist Wendell Marshall, drummer J.C. Heard, and pianist Wynton Kelly. Aficionados will relish the opportunity to identify the solos and styles of each player--Getz's cool complexity, Gillespie's athleticism, Gonsalves's unique lyricism, and Hawkins's pioneering technique and tone. SITTIN' IN is a superb slice of bop history, starring some of the most influential figures in the evolution of jazz.

Track Listing
1. Dizzy Atmosphere
2. Ballad Medley: I'm Through With Love / Without A Word Of Warning / Sweet Lorraine / Love Walked In / September Song
3. The Way You Look Tonight
4. Ballad Medley: On The Alamo / Stompin' At The Savoy / This Time The Dream's On Me / Time After Time / Gone With The Wind

Personnel: Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet); Coleman Hawkins, Paul Gonsalves, Stan Getz (tenor saxophone); Wynton Kelly (piano); Wendell Marshall (double bass); J.C. Heard (drums).

 

[Dennie]

Shaw 'Nuff -- CD

Dizzy Gillespie and his Sextets and Orchestra

1946/1992 Discovery/Musicraft

Review

by Scott Yanow

This CD has Dizzy Gillespie's classic Musicraft sides (all except "A Handfulla Gimme"), some of the most famous recordings of his long career. These influential performances (which set the standard for bebop) include "Blue 'N' Boogie" (with tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon), seven gems with Charlie Parker (highlighted by "Groovin' High," "Hot House," and "Salt Peanuts"), a few numbers with Sonny Stitt, and nine big-band recordings, including "Our Delight," "Ray's Idea," and the futuristic "Things to Come." If Dizzy Gillespie's career had ended after these recordings, he would still be famous in the jazz world.

Track listing

1. Blue 'N' Boogie
2. Groovin' High
3. Dizzy Atmosphere
4. All the Things You Are
5. Shaw 'Nuff
6. Lover Man
7. Salt Peanuts
8. Hot House
9. Oop Bop Sh'bam
10. That's Earl, Brother
11. One Bass Hit, No. 1
12. One Bass Hit, No. 2
13. Good Dues Blues
14. Our Delight
15. He Beeped When He Should Have Bopped
16. He Beeped When He Should Have Bopped - (with vocals by Dizzy Gillespie)
17. Things to Come
18. Ray's Idea
19. Emanon
20. I Waited for You

The personal are kind of a "Who's Who" of Jazz....

Personnel: Dizzy Gillespie (vocals, trumpet); Alice Roberts, Kenny "Pancho" Hagood, Sarah Vaughan (vocals); Chuck Wayne, Remo Palmieri (guitar); John Brown , Warren Lucky, Howard Glover "Johnny" Johnson, Ray Abrams (saxophone); Howard E. Johnson , Sonny Stitt, Charlie Parker (alto saxophone); Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone); Talib Dawud, Dave Burns, Matthew McKay, Raymond Orr, John Lynch , Elmon Wright (trumpet); Alton Moore (trombone, piano); Gordon Thomas, Leon Cormenge (trombone); John Lewis, Taswell Baird, Clyde Hart, John Richard Lewis, Frank Paparelli, Al Haig (piano); Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Cozy Cole, Joe Harris , Kenny Clarke, Shelly Manne, Big Sid Catlett (drums).

 

[v8peters]

Come Back to Sorrento

Frank Sinatra

1959 Columbia

 

[v8peters]

High Society

Various Artists

1956 Capitol

 

[v8peters]

This is Sinatra!

Frank Sinatra

1956/196? Capitol

 

[v8peters]

a Swingin' Affair!

Frank Sinatra
arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle

1957/1959 Capitol

 

[v8peters]

Frank Sinatra sings for only the lonely

Frank Sinatra
Orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle

1958 Capitol

 

[Dennie]

The Complete Gramercy Five Sessions -- Remastered CD

Artie Shaw

1989 RCA/Bluebird Records

Almost all the great big bands of the Swing Era had a small "band-within-the-band." Tommy Dorsey had The Clambake Seven, Benny Goodman had his trio (or quartet) and Duke Ellington and his orchestra members had various small groupings. This gave the bandleader and certain band members a little variety and chances to try different things away from the constraints of dance-oriented big bands. Artie Shaw's outfit was The Gramercy Five, which had a slightly unusual instrumental line-up: the leader's clarinet, electric guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, and harpsichord (occasionally piano, too). The sound was elegant yet swinging, with a more freewheeling and wry feeling in the solos. The Five could indulge in Ellingtonian voicings ("Summit Ridge Drive"), Dixieland/New Orleans-style solos ("Special Delivery Stomp"), bluesy melodies and traces of that strange new music that would be known as bebop. The band's sly humor is evident in some of the song titles: "The Gentle Grifter," "When The Quail Come Back To San Quentin." Shaw's Gramercy Five featured some musicians who went on to jazz legendhood: trumpeter Roy Eldridge, pianist Dodo Mamarosa (who went on to play with Charlie Parker and Gene Ammons), and the wonderfully versatile guitarist Barney Kessel (who went on to play with Sonny Rollins, Julie London, and the Beach Boys). COMPLETE is small-band swing at its finest.

Track Listing
1. Special Delivery Stomp
2. Summit Ridge Drive
3. Keepin' Myself for You
4. Cross Your Heart
5. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume?
6. When the Quail Come Back to San Quentin
7. My Blue Heaven
8. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
9. Grabtown Grapple, The
10. Sad Sack, The
11. Scuttlebutt
12. Gentle Grifter, The
13. Mysterioso - (Take 1)
14. Mysterioso - (Take 2)
15. Hop, Skip and Jump

Personnel includes: Artie Shaw (clarinet); Billy Butterfield, Roy Eldridge (trumpet); Dodo Mamarosa (keyboards); Jud DeNaut (bass).Recording information: 09/03/1940-08/02/1945.Illustrator: David McMacken.

 

[v8peters]

Come Dance With Me!

Frank Sinatra
with Billy May and his orchestra

1959 Capitol

 

[Dennie]

Relazin' With The Miles Davis Quintet - 20 Bit K2 Mastering CD

Miles Davis Quintet

1958/2001 Prestige Records

One of the Best Ever, April 22, 2003
By Paul R. Thomas (Myrtle Beach, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Relaxin' With Miles (20 Bit Mastering) (Audio CD)

Buy this CD! It is truly classic jazz, beautifully remastered, by one of the greatest jazz quintets of all time. Both Miles Davis and John Coltrane are featured but the sound of the quintet together is perfection. In a word, 'immortality'.

 

[v8peters]

Come Fly With Me

Frank Sinatra
with Billy May and his orchestra

1958/1975 Capitol

 

[v8peters]

Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances

Elvis Presley

1994 RCA

 

[Dennie]

Bags' Opus -- Remastered CD

Milt Jackson

1958/1991 United Artists/Blue Note Records

Jazz Heaven August 9, 2002
By Macjazz1
Format:Audio CD

This is a great album! Between Benny Golson's tunes and Milt Jackson's playing this thing really achieves liftoff - it'll carry you right to jazz heaven if you listen. Afternoon in Paris, Whisper Not, and I Remember Clifford are especially soulful - I think this is a candidate for being the definitive version of Golson's tribute to Clifford Brown. Milt Jackson's solo is straight from the heart and totally captures the feel of this piece. Brilliant and moving. With Bennie Golson, Paul Chambers, Connie Kay, Art Farmer, and Tommy Flannagan - what a lineup! A classic late 50's Blue Note album.

1. Ill Wind
2. Blues For Diahann
3. Afternoon In Paris
4. I Remember Clifford
5. Thinking Of You
6. Whisper Not

Milt Jackson, Vibes. Benny Golson, Tenor Sax. Art Farmer, Trumpet. Tommy Flanagan, Piano. Paul Chambers, Bass. Connie Kay, Drums.

 

[Dennie]

The Legendary Big Band -- Remastered 20 Bit 2 CD Set

Billy Eckstine

2002 Savoy Jazz

The Legendary Big Band 1943-1947 features 42 of Billy Eckstine's most memorable songs as played by one of the most powerful bebop big bands in jazz history. A powerful singer with a resonant baritone voice, trumpeter and valve trombonist William Clarence Eckstine, a former member of the Earl Hines Orchestra, formed his own band in 1943 after the economic hardships associated with World War II prevented Earl Hines from keeping him and other jazz artists, such as Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, in his orchestra. As the leader and creator of the first bebop big band, Billy Eckstine established what was a forerunner to the bop big bands of Gillespie, Woody Herman, and others. This two-disc set presents some of Billy Eckstine's finest work, including the blues hit "Jelly, Jelly," which he first recorded with the Earl Hines band in 1940. The collection involves a heavy emphasis on romantic ballads, blues, and specialty vocals, but also features several great instrumentals, including "Second Balcony Jump" and "Cool Breeze." Trombone solos by Eckstine on such songs as "All of Me" and "In My Solitude," as well as an informative booklet with photos of this legendary big band, add more interest to this valuable box set. This is the ultimate Billy Eckstine collection and is a must-have for jazz educators, historians, and enthusiasts of jazz vocalists. ~ Paula Edelstein

Track Listing
DISC 1:
1. I Got a Date With Rhythm
2. I Stay in the Mood For You
3. Good Jelly Blues
4. If That's the Way You Feel
5. I Want to Talk About You
6. Blowing the Blues Away - (single version)
7. Blowing the Blues Away - (album version)
8. Opus X
9. I'll Wait and Pray
10. The Real Thing Happened to Me
11. Lonesome Lover Blues
12. A Cottage For Sale
13. (I Love the) Rhythm in a Riff
14. Prisoner of Love
15. It Ain't Like That
16. I'm in the Mood For Love
17. You Call It Madness
18. Long Journey Long
19. I Only Have Eyes For You
20. You're My Everything
21. The Jitney Man

DISC 2:
1. Second Balcony Jump
2. Pretty Baby Tell Me
3. Love Is the Thing
4. Without a Song
5. Cool Breeze
6. Don't Take Your Love From Me
7. Oop Bop Sh'bam
8. Oop Bop Sh'bam - (alternate take)
9. In the Still of the Night
10. Jelly Jelly
11. Jelly - (alternate take) Jelly
12. All of Me
13. Where Are You?
14. Prelude to a Kiss
15. (She's Got the) Blues For Sale
16. (She's Got the) - (alternate take) Blues For Sale
17. What's New
18. Serenade in Blue
19. In My Solitude
20. Sophisticated Lady

Personnel includes: Billy Eckstine (vocals); Sarah Vaughan (vocals); Budd Johnson, Jimmy Powell (alto saxophone); Gene Ammons, Wardell Gray, Thomas Crump, Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone); Teddy Cypron, Rudy Rutherford, Cecil Payne (baritone saxophone); Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Freddie Webster, Shorty McConnell, Al Killian, Fats Navarro, Boonie Hazel, Raymond Orr (trumpet); Trummy Young, Claude Jones, Howard Scott, Walter Knox, Chips Outcalt, Jerry Valentine (trombone); Clyde Hart, Richard Ellington (piano); Connie Wainwright (guitar); Oscar Pettiford (bass); Shadow Wilson, Art Blakey (drums).Includes liner notes by Bob Blumenthal

 

[Dennie]

The Sound of Love - The Ballads of Ellington and Strayhorn - SACD

Tommy Smith featuring Kenny Barron

2000 Linn Records (Import - Austria)

Albums made up of Ellington and Strayhorn compositions come about every 30 seconds or so. However, albums of such absolute grace and beauty as this one has come along once in a rare while. Tommy Smith, the Scotsman tenor, embraces these timeless tunes with a combination of disarming gentleness and utter conviction. It requires tremendous assuredness to play so quietly, unhurriedly, and thoughtfully, and at age 32, Smith shows maturity far beyond his years. Adding Mingus's Ellingtonian title track to the program shows great taste as well. The veteran rhythm section--Kenny Barron, Peter Washington, Billy Drummond--is completely in service to Smith; Barron especially befits the romantic and elegant setting. With his meticulous choice of notes, Smith proves that ambition and ease can happily work together. --Marc Greilsamer

1 Johnny Come Lately
2 The Star-Crossed Lovers
3 In A Sentimental Mood
4 A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
5 Chelsea Bridge
6 Isfahan
7 Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love
8 Sophisticated Lady
9 Passion Flower
10 Solitude
11 Prelude To A Kiss
12 Cottontail

Musicians:

Tommy Smith - tenor saxophone
Kenny Barron - piano
Peter Washington - bass
Billy Drummond - drums

 

[Dennie]

Quietly There -- 20-bit K2 XRCD

Zoot Sims plays Johnny Mandel

1984/1993 Pablo/JVC Records

Norman Granz's idea to match Zoot Sims' lyrical, swinging tenor sax with Johnny Mandel's equally arresting compositions was a masterful one. Sims' tart, alternately lush and furious solos were wonderfully spotlighted on such tunes as "Cinnamon and Cloves," "Emily" and "Zoot." The six-tune session, recently issued on CD, also contains effective piano solos from Mike Wofford. The date's tour-de-force was its final selection, the wonderful "Low Life," which Sims probed, illuminated and ultimately redefined via his solo. ~ Ron Wynn

1. Cinnamon and Cloves
2. A Time For Love
3. Zoot
4. Quietly There
5. Emily
6. Low Life

Musicians:
Zoot Sims, tenor saxophone
Mike Wofford, piano
Chuck Berghofer, bass
Nick Ceroli, drums
Victor Feldman, percussion