Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:40
Size: 79.4 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Soul jazz
Year: 1962/2005
Art: Front
[3:28] 1. Please Send Me Someone To Love
[5:26] 2. Easy Living
[4:19] 3. Playmates
[5:28] 4. What A Difference A Day Makes
[4:19] 5. Me And My Baby
[5:35] 6. Lorelei's Lament
[6:03] 7. Blue Stone
Phil Guilbeau (tp); John Hunt (tp, flh); Hank Crawford (as); David 'Fathead' Newman (ts); Leroy 'Hog' Cooper (bs); Edgar Willis (b); Bruno Carr (d). Recorded in New York City.
This inspired and talented group under the leadership of altoist/arranger Hank Crawford, is the Ray Charles band, minus Ray. But it is also a striking unit in its own right. The big-little-band sound is compellingly arranged and orchestrated, equally arresting on incendiary, swinging up-tempo performances as it is on blues-drenched ballads. And it provides a frame for notably lyrical and melodic soloists. The result is a joyous blend combining order and vitality in equal measure. Crawford—who also plays piano, when it is heard—is revealed as a moving and beautifully singing post-Bird alto player whose highly vocalized horn displays an instinctive understanding of structure and the tension-release qualities of good jazz.
And, while bearing a relationship to what became known as "Soul" music, it is also a reaffirmation of the validity of the original concept of that feeling. Remarkably, given the way that jazz and blues suffused its DNA, the unique voice of this gripping Ray Charles smallband operated only in concert or dance halls, outside the jazz club circuit.
This inspired and talented group under the leadership of altoist/arranger Hank Crawford, is the Ray Charles band, minus Ray. But it is also a striking unit in its own right. The big-little-band sound is compellingly arranged and orchestrated, equally arresting on incendiary, swinging up-tempo performances as it is on blues-drenched ballads. And it provides a frame for notably lyrical and melodic soloists. The result is a joyous blend combining order and vitality in equal measure. Crawford—who also plays piano, when it is heard—is revealed as a moving and beautifully singing post-Bird alto player whose highly vocalized horn displays an instinctive understanding of structure and the tension-release qualities of good jazz.
And, while bearing a relationship to what became known as "Soul" music, it is also a reaffirmation of the validity of the original concept of that feeling. Remarkably, given the way that jazz and blues suffused its DNA, the unique voice of this gripping Ray Charles smallband operated only in concert or dance halls, outside the jazz club circuit.
The Soul Clinic
Great to see Hank Crawford and Fathead Newman on the same sesson! This is a goodly chunk of the Ray Charles band of the era ... gotta be a keeper.
ReplyDeleteYou're right.
ReplyDeleteThis band is one of the reasons I love '59-'63 era Ray Charles.
The other reason, of course, is Ray.
But this band, man......!
Wow & thank you.Mat
Pretty good jazz record. Merci.
ReplyDeleteHi Matt, Can you post a new link for this album? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis post has a new link!
Delete19-08-2016