The Gene Harris Quartet - A Little Piece Of Heaven

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:35
Size: 161.6 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz, Piano jazz
Year: 1993/2005
Art: Front

[ 6:33] 1. Blues In Baxter's Pad
[ 8:09] 2. Take The A Train
[ 4:30] 3. Blues For Ste. Chapelle
[ 6:49] 4. Ma (He's Making Eyes At Me)
[ 5:58] 5. Pensativa
[ 6:56] 6. How Long Has This Been Going On
[ 6:25] 7. Scotch And Soda
[ 5:48] 8. My Little Suede Shoes
[10:30] 9. Old Dog Blues
[ 8:14] 10. Ode To Billie Joe
[ 0:36] 11. Sentimental Journey

Gene Harris was always predictably excellent, particularly during his final decade. This CD has his quartet of 1993 (with guitarist Ron Eschete, bassist Luther Hughes, and drummer Paul Humphrey) performing such tunes as a soulful "Take the 'A' Train," the sly "Ma (He's Making Eyes at Me)," "My Little Suede Shoes," and even "Ode to Billie Joe." Harris, who is heard playing a concert in his adopted state of Idaho, often sounds in exuberant form talking to his hometown crowd. His fans will have little difficulty enjoying this happy date. ~Scott Yanow

A Little Piece Of Heaven

---

João Gilberto - The Warm World Of Joao Gilberto

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 78:15

Size: 179.2 MB

Styles: Bossa Nova

Year: 1963/2012

Art: Front

[2:02] 1. Chega De Saudade

[1:14] 2. Bim Bom 2

[2:16] 3. Hô-Bá-Lá-Lá

[1:58] 4. Desafinado

[2:05] 5. Brigas, Nunca Mais

[1:59] 6. Morena Boca De Ouro

[2:22] 7. Maria Ninguem

[1:20] 8. Lobo Lobo

[1:33] 9. Aos Pés Da (Santa) Cruz

[1:56] 10. É Luxo Só

[1:48] 11. Saudade Fez Um Samba

[2:05] 12. Rosa Morena

[2:33] 13. Manha De Carnaval

[3:06] 14. Batuques De Samba Bahia Pegou Licuri Varanda Boa

[1:47] 15. Só Em Teus Braços [only In Your Arms]

[1:44] 16. Se É Tarde Me Perdoa

[1:45] 17. Meditation (Meditação)

[1:57] 18. Corcovado

[1:48] 19. Discussão

[1:52] 20. Amor Cetinho

[1:37] 21. Um Abraço No Bonfá [a Hug For Bonfá]

[1:26] 22. Doralice

[1:38] 23. One Note Samba

[1:58] 24. O Pato

[1:50] 25. Outra Vez

[1:24] 26. Trévo De Quatro Fõlhas

[1:18] 27. Bolinha De Papel

[2:22] 28. Samba De Minha Terra

[2:17] 29. Saudade Da Bahia

[1:49] 30. Trenzinho (Trem De Ferro)

[1:52] 31. Presente De Natal

[2:30] 32. O Barquinho

[2:24] 33. Insensatez

[2:22] 34. O Amor Em Paz

[2:50] 35. Coisa Mais Linda

[2:30] 36. Você E Eu

[1:51] 37. A Primeira Vez

[2:14] 38. Este Seu Olhar

[2:36] 39. Este Seu Olhar

3 original albums + extra tracks in just 1 CD. The most comprehensive compilation of his first recordings, including 20-page booklet with original art work, album liner notes and all the lyrics, presented in a nice Digipack format. Without question, these are the songs who started the Bossa Nova craze worldwide. Tracks #1-12 from "Chega de Saudade" (12" LP), Brasil, Odeon 3073 (1959), USA issue "The Warm World of João Gilberto" Atlantic 8076 (1963). Tracks #13-14 from "João Gilberto" (7" EP, 33rpm), Brasil, Odeon 7BD-1034 (1959), (7" EP, 45rpm) - Brasil, Odeon BWB 1092 (1959). Tracks #15-26 from "O amor, o sorriso e a flor" (12" LP), Brasil, Odeon 3151 (1960), USA issue "Brazil's Brilliant João Gilberto" Capitol T-10280 (1962). Tracks #27-38 from "João Gilberto" (12" LP),Brasil, Odeon 3202 ,USA issue "The Boss of the Bossa Nova" Atlantic 8070 (1962). Track #39 Not issued in the original album

In summer 1958, João Gilberto -an unknown 28 year-old Brazilian guitarist and singer from Bahia- made his recording debut as a singer with two songs "Chega de Saudade" and "Bim Bom." With a new rhythmic feeling, batida, and rich harmonies he laid the basis of the modern Brazilian samba, now known as Bossa Nova. Underpinned by his insouciantly swinging guitar, Joãos seductive, vibratoless vocals caressed both ear and soul in a mesmerizing, highly addictive combination, refreshing and modern. Chega de Saudade was a hit, launching Gilbertos career and the bossa nova craze. Soon, singers and guitarists were trying to imitate him and composers were all on a Desafinado (the second Gilbertos hit) and Chega de Saudade kick. The longawaited renewal of the Brazilian samba was now a fact. Antonio Carlos Jobim said: Gilberto appeared as a light, as a big star in the firmament, in the heavens. He became a focus, because he was pulling the guitar in one way and singing the other way, which created a third thing that was profound. Yes, the guy who brought the Bossa Nova beat to the world was João Gilberto.

The Warm World Of João Gilberto

---

Christina Gustafsson - The Law Of The Lady

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:36
Size: 115.8 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:54] 1. You Make It
[6:09] 2. Breathung, Air And Such
[4:01] 3. The Law Of The Lady
[5:42] 4. Close To Here
[5:54] 5. It Might As Well Be Spring
[4:41] 6. Love You Too, My Own Way Out
[5:40] 7. Sometimes
[4:35] 8. Hours Passing By
[5:27] 9. Love You Too
[3:28] 10. I Need Someone

Christina Gustafsson: vocals. Adam Forkelid, Daniel Karlsson: piano; Magnus Lindgren: flute; Erik Söderlind, Max Schultz: guitar; Johan Setterlind, Patrik Skogh: trumpet; Karin Hammar, Lisa Bodelius: trombone; Eva-Tea Lundberg: French horn; Fredrik Jonsson, Kristian Lind: bass; Calle Rasmusson: drums; Sebastian Notini: percussion.

This has nothing to do with the transition to democracy in Burma; instead, it's Swedish jazz singer Christina Gustafsson's third attempt at emerging from under the shadow cast by her much better-known sister, Rigmor. Sadly, it's unlikely to make much of a dent internationally. The principal fault lies in drummer Calle Rasmusson's production; there is far too much of it. Rasmusson has assembled some extremely talented musicians, including two gifted guitarists, Erik Söderlind and Max Schultz, award-winning flautist Magnus Lindgren and pianist Adam Forkelid. They provide some memorable moments, but nothing ever really gels as a whole, the music remaining "on the page," bereft of spontaneity and feeling. A pity, because Gustafsson has obviously made a big effort. She talks of pursuing a vision and wrote the music for eight of these ten songs, although, as on previous outings, the lyrics are credited to others—primarily, in this case, to Stefan Danielsson. Sometimes Danielsson has problems with his English. On "Close To Here," he makes a valiant but doomed bid to rhyme magic wand with wonderland, while "Love You Too" comes up with a somewhat baffling proposition: "You seem to be waking an ongoing dream to ease the pressure on your self-esteem." However, fair's fair; there are fewer linguistic faux pas than on Gustafsson's two previous albums.

"The Law Of The Lady" is quite interesting: a catchy love song in which the female protagonist starts out in pliable, even narcissistic mode, Gustaffson singing "I am the sweetest thing that you will ever know," before changing tack and coming on like a veritable dominatrix with "I'll lay down what you do, I'll lay down what you want." There is one golden oldie. This is Rodgers and Hammerstein's "It Might As Well Be Spring," from the 1945 movie State Fair. It's a regular part of Gustafsson's live act with her trio, but here the singer is upstaged by Lindgren's superb solo. Vocally, Gustafsson is at her best and most self-assured on guitarist Söderlind's "My Own Way Out," a meditation on the end of a love affair with excellent lyrics by Danielsson. Johan Setterlind's trumpet gives a lift to the '70s-ish "Hours Passing By," but no one can do much to save the closer, the nondescript, simpering ballad "I Need Someone," dominated by heavy-handed and wisely unaccredited piano. Here and there light gets through, providing a glimpse of what might have been. Perhaps more will emerge next time around. ~Chris Mosey

The Law Of The Lady

---

Poco - The Very Best Of Poco

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:27
Size: 140.7 MB
Styles: Country rock, Soft rock
Year: 1975/1999
Art: Front

[ 3:19] 1. Pickin' Up The Pieces
[ 2:42] 2. My Kind Of Love
[ 3:19] 3. You Better Think Twice
[ 6:56] 4. Anyway Bye Bye
[ 3:15] 5. C'mon
[10:10] 6. Just In Case It Happens, Yes Indeed Grand Junction Consequently So Long
[ 5:43] 7. Kind Woman
[ 5:02] 8. Bad Weather
[ 3:35] 9. Just For Me And You
[ 3:49] 10. You Are The One
[ 3:52] 11. Good Feelin' To Know
[ 2:47] 12. Go And Say Goodbye
[ 3:41] 13. Faith In The Families
[ 3:11] 14. Whatever Happened To Your Smile

Originally a two-LP set, The Very Best of Poco was a decent compilation in its time, assembling the group's best-known songs from singles and album cuts in a straightforward order with no particular surprises. It was reissued with upgraded sound in 1999, and for the very casual fan with a budget to consider the latter is adequate, showing their evolution as a band from the first flourish of their birth -- as an offshoot of the Buffalo Springfield, with the same sort of vast potential displayed by the latter group (similarly unrealized by constant membership changes) -- into one of the premiere country-rock outfits of the 1970s. Anyone serious about a deep enjoyment of the group, however, will opt for the more extensive and revelatory The Forgotten Trail instead, which contains numerous outtakes and -- no pun -- forgotten tracks. ~Bruce Eder

The Very Best Of Poco

---

Sarah Vaughan & Lester Young - One Night Stand: The Town Hall Concert 1947

Styles: Vocal and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:33
Size: 151,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:11)  1. Lester Leaps In
(5:22)  2. Just You, Just Me
(3:50)  3. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
(6:20)  4. Sunday
(3:47)  5. Don't Blame Me
(1:47)  6. My Kinda Love
(3:36)  7. I Cover The Waterfront
(3:55)  8. A Ghost Of A Chance
(4:53)  9. Lester's Bebop Boogie
(4:56) 10. These Foolish Things
(5:51) 11. Movin' With Lester
(3:33) 12. The Man I Love
(2:52) 13. Time After Time
(2:40) 14. Mean To Me
(4:06) 15. Body And Soul
(3:46) 16. I Cried For You

This 1997 CD has music from a previously unreleased Town Hall concert. The program is split between the Lester Young sextet and Sarah Vaughan with the two principals only coming together on the final song, "I Cried for You." The recording quality is listenable, if not flawless, and it features the two giants at interesting points in their careers. Tenor great Lester Young sounds excellent on his seven features, but his backup group is sometimes a bit shaky, particularly during uncertain moments on "Just You, Just Me" and "Sunday"; bassist Rodney Richardson does not mesh well with the eccentric pianist Sadik Hakim. The young Roy Haynes is fine, although some of his "bombs" are overrecorded, while trumpeter Shorty McConnell comes across as a second-rate Howard McGhee, sincere but streaky. But the reason to acquire this CD is Sarah Vaughan, who at age 23 was already a marvel; what a voice! Very influenced by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, Vaughan mostly lays way behind the beat during her ballad-oriented performances, swirling between notes like a first altoist and often settling on very unlikely (and boppish) notes. She gives the impression that she could do anything with her voice, and some of her flights (particularly on "Don't Blame Me," "I Cover the Waterfront" and "Mean to Me") border on the miraculous. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/one-night-stand-the-town-hall-concert-1947-mw0000097698

Personnel: Sarah Vaughan (vocals); Lester Young (tenor saxophone); Shorty McConnell (trumpet); Sadik Hakim, Sammy Benskin (piano); Freddie Lacey (guitar); Rodney Richardson (bass); Roy Haynes (drums).

One Night Stand: The Town Hall Concert 1947

---

Bobby Timmons - Working Out

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:58
Size: 178,9 MB
Art: Front

(9:05)  1. Lela
(7:57)  2. Trick Hips
(2:40)  3. People
(9:11)  4. Bags' Groove
(8:36)  5. This Is All I Ask
(5:45)  6. Cut Me Loose Charlie
(7:08)  7. Tom Thumb
(7:21)  8. Einbahnstrasse (One Way Street)
(6:31)  9. Damned If I Know
(7:07) 10. Tenaj
(6:33) 11. Little Waltz

This CD reissues the contents of two of pianist Bobby Timmons most advanced recordings of the 1960s. For an example of how the popular pianist had continued to evolve after his early funk hits, listen to his often-bitonal solo on "Bags' Groove" from 1964. That session features Timmons in a quartet with vibraphonist Johnny Lytle, bassist Keter Betts and drummer William "Peppy" Hinnant and is filled with subtle surprises. The second recording is even more interesting for Timmons is teamed with tenor-saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Jimmy Cobb in 1966. The immediately recognizable Shorter in particular plays very well (this version of his "Tom Thumb" is its earliest recording) and the very modern playing of Carter pushes Timmons to really stretch himself. Both of these generally overlooked sessions (even Shorter's best fans may not know about his collaboration with Timmons) were formerly rare and are quite adventurous, making this a highly recommended acquisition that falls somewhere between hard bop and the early avant-garde. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/workin-out-compilation-mw0000124323

Personnel: Bobby Timmons (piano); Johnny Lytle (vibraphone); Keter Betts (bass); William "Peppy" Hinnant (drums).

Working Out

---

Count Basie And His Orchestra - Rock-a-Bye Basie [Live in '38 & '39]

Styles: Jazz, Big Band, Swing
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:40
Size: 177,1 MB
Art: Front

(0:59)  1. One O'Clock Jump (Opening Theme)
(3:00)  2. King Porter Stomp
(3:59)  3. Nagasaki
(4:06)  4. Indiana
(3:01)  5. Doggin' Around
(0:32)  6. One O'Clock Jump (Closing Theme)
(3:54)  7. Haven't Changed A Thing
(2:27)  8. Out The Window
(4:20)  9. Wo-Ta-Ta
(3:27) 10. Love Of My Life
(3:26) 11. John's Idea
(2:59) 12. Yeah Man!
(2:35) 13. Indiana
(3:10) 14. Jump For Me
(4:22) 15. Moten Swing
(3:35) 16. Rock-A-Bye Basie
(4:11) 17. Swingin' The Blues
(2:57) 18. Time Out
(2:09) 19. Roseland Shuffle
(3:01) 20. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(3:30) 21. Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie
(2:25) 22. Lousiana
(2:44) 23. Darktown Strutters Ball
(5:39) 24. One O'Clock Jump

These broadcasts (all but one selection from 1938-39) capture Count Basie's orchestra live from the Famous Door. This CD contains 24 performances, a few of which are incomplete or poorly recorded. However, the enthusiastic solos of Lester Young, fellow tenors Herschel Evans and Buddy Tate, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison and Basie himself are fresh and creative, and the ensembles are consistently swinging. These are the best pre-World War II live recordings of the Count Basie Orchestra and well worth acquiring. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/rock-a-bye-basie-live-in-38-39-mw0000677896

Rock-a-Bye Basie [Live in '38 & '39]

---

The Fred Hersch Trio - Sunday Night At The Vanguard

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:00
Size: 163,0 MB
Art: Front

( 7:29)  1. A Cockeyed Optimist
( 8:37)  2. Serpentine
( 5:14)  3. The Optimum Thing
( 5:11)  4. Calligram
( 6:13)  5. Blackwing Palomino
( 7:05)  6. For No One
( 7:20)  7. Everybody's Song But My Own
(10:14)  8. The Peacocks
( 7:06)  9. We See
( 3:26) 10. Solo Encore: Valentine

Reach up to the CD shelf and pull a handful of Fred Hersch CDS down. You'll find that the pianist has a good thing going with the Village Vanguard. Alive At The Vanguard (Palmetto Records, 2012) a stellar two CD set, and terrific solo set, Alone At the Vanguard (Palmetto Records, 2011), are Hersch's most recent recordings from the legendary venue; and now he and his trio offer up Sunday Night At the Vanguard. Hersch says this is his best trio album. Almost every artist says that about their latest that this one's the best. But he might be right. The vote here would have gone to a studio recording, Whirl (Palmetto Records, 2010), a marvelous in-the-zone effort with this same trio John Hebert on bass, Eric McPherson playing drums until Sunday Night At The Vanguard rolled around. The trio opens with Richard Rodgers' "A Cockeyed Optimist," which is not exactly a familiar tune, in spite of its authorship. But as an opener it works to perfection, with a silvery, raindrop intro that finds a quirky groove that paints an upbeat atmosphere, with a bright melody that sounds like a second cousin to "It Might As Well Be Spring."

"Serpentine," a Hersch original, is a wandering slither of a tune, unpredictable and spooky, lovely in its fluid, abstract way; "The Optimum Thing" sparkles; and "Blackwing Palomino," maybe the only jazz tune ever written for a pencil, has the feel of a new jazz standard. Hersch's output has been consistently excellent, but sometimes as on this special Sunday Night the stars align. The trio, from the opening notes of "The Cockeyed Optimist," is locked into and to a telepathic interplay zone playful and eloquent, elegant and assured. The Lennon and McCartney gem, "For No One," has the forlorn desperation of the song's lyrical content. The Beatles' version a masterpiece in its own right didn't take things to this dark of a place. Kenny Wheeler's "Everybody's Song But My Own" rolls in a restless, jittery mode. "The Peacocks," from the pen of Jimmy Rowles, is pensive, lonely. Hersch explores an almost unmatchable majesty of the tune, with a bit of dissonance, before he jumps into Thelonious Monk, with "We See," an irrepressible jewel, followed as an encore to the show the Fred Hersch-penned "Valentine," one of the more inward tunes in Hersch's songbook, counterpointing a mostly gregarious, effervescent set by one of the jazz world's top piano trios at the top of their game. ~ Dan McClenaghan https://www.allaboutjazz.com/sunday-night-at-the-vanguard-fred-hersch-palmetto-records-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php
 

Personnel: Fred Hersch: piano; John Hebert: bass; Eric McPherson: drums.

Sunday Night At The Vanguard

---

Chris Cheek - Saturday Songs

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:57
Size: 151,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:13)  1. String Finger
(5:31)  2. Ginger Something
(4:52)  3. Eye Factory
(6:16)  4. Bucky's Blues
(6:50)  5. Either Way
(6:58)  6. Slow Ships
(3:59)  7. Saturday Songs
(4:58)  8. Alhambros
(5:37)  9. Forever Green
(4:40) 10. Strawberry Jam
(5:35) 11. While You Sleep
(5:22) 12. Windmill Hill

Sometimes, combining seriousness of intent and high musicianship with pure fun is just the thing one needs, and is exemplified by Saturday Songs from tenor saxophonist Chris Cheek. Cheek does not make a lot records as a leader (see Blues Cruise from 2006), but is on literally scores of albums as a sideman (see Paul Motian's Garden of Eden from 2006 and Chris Lightcap's Epicenter from 2015), or his own discography, which is not completely up to date. In any event, Saturday Songs shares quite a bit of the vibe of Lightcap's latest release. Here, as there we have a sterling band playing the leader's compositions and arrangements (with one exception, Tom Jobim's "Forever Green"), but with perhaps less of an inspirational connection among the tunes than Lightcap. The band is made up of guitarist Steve Cardenas (who played with Cheek on Garden of Eden, David Soler on pedal steel, Jorge Rossy on drums, vibes and marimba (perhaps best know from Brad Mehldau's trio) and Jaume Llombard on bass. Although this is Cheek's records, he allocates plenty of space for the others, and in fact, Soler almost steals the record.

While the tunes as a set do not overtly exhude "Americana," the ubiquitous presence of Soler's pedal steel does locate the record's overall feel within that genre (with the exception of "Saturday Song," which sounds decidedly exotic). On the other hand, "Alhambros" which references the Alhambra's architecture, does not sound either Indian or Islamic. The tracks are very easy to listen to, since the the details of construction and arrangement are so well woven into the texture, but are not "easy listening"; any number of them ought to get quite a bit of airplay. Each track has its own "personality" and the album contains a wide range of moods. Stand out tracks include "Bucky's Blues" which eventually becomes a coolly grooving jazzy blues, the nonchalant drive of "Ginger Something," the very pretty "While You Slept" with its long, unfolding melody, "Strawberry Jam"'s attractive higher energy and open improvisations and the slow and easy Jobim tune, "Forever Green." Picking these tunes out in no way is meant to diminish the others, since Saturday Songs will no doubt get played many times by anyone and everyone. ~ Budd Kopman https://www.allaboutjazz.com/saturday-songs-chris-cheek-sunnyside-records-review-by-budd-kopman.php

Personnel: Chris Cheek: tenor saxophone; Steve Cardenas: guitar; David Soler: pedal steel; Jaume Llombard: bass; Jorge Rossy: drums, vibes, marimba.

Saturday Songs

---