Monday, September 26, 2016

Gary Crosby - Gary Crosby Belts Out The Blues/The Happy Bachelor

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:42
Size: 148.2 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:11] 1. Sentimental Journey
[3:10] 2. What's Your Story, Morning Glory
[3:20] 3. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
[2:54] 4. Breeze (Blow My Baby Back To Me)
[2:55] 5. After The Lights Go Down Low
[3:40] 6. St. Louis Blues
[2:25] 7. Miss You So
[3:14] 8. Night Train
[2:52] 9. Baltimore Oriole
[3:41] 10. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
[3:34] 11. Mood Indigo
[3:34] 12. Blues In The Night
[1:58] 13. The Happy Bachelor
[1:35] 14. Glow Worm
[1:29] 15. Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall
[2:25] 16. This Little Girl Of Mine
[2:35] 17. Side By Side
[1:48] 18. You Won't Be Satisfied Until You Break My Heart
[2:57] 19. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
[2:33] 20. Mañana
[2:49] 21. I'll Never Be Free
[1:52] 22. Ole Buttermilk Sky
[1:42] 23. Undecided
[2:19] 24. I'm Beginning To See The Light

Tracks #1-12 from the Verve album "Gary Crosby Belts the Blues" (MG VS-6018). Don Fagerquist, Al Porcino (tp), Frank Rosolino (tb), Bud Shank (as), Bob Enevoldsen, Bill Holman (ts), Bill Pitman, Al Viola (on #1,8,11 & 12), Al Hendrickson (g on #2-7,9 & 10), Claude Williamson (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Mel Lewis (d). Recorded in Hollywood at Radio Recorders, on December 15 (#1,8,11 & 12); December 17 (#2,4,5 & 7); and December 18 (#3,6,9 & 10), 1959. Recorded in Hollywood at Radio Recorders, on April 8 (#19-22); April 9 (#17,18,23 & 24); and April 10 (#13-16), 1959. Tracks #13-24 from the Verve album "The Happy Bachelor" (MG VS-6067). Tracks #19-22: Paul Smith (p), Howard Roberts (g), Joe Mondragon (b), Larry Bunker (d). Tracks #17-18,23 & 24: Paul Smith (p), Gene Estes (vib), Howard Roberts (g), Joe Mondragon (b), Bill Richmond (d). Tracks #13-16: Pete Candoli (tp), Paul Smith (p), Howard Roberts (g), Joe Mondragon (b), Larry Bunker (d). Recorded in Hollywood at Radio Recorders, on April 8 (#19-22); April 9 (#17,18,23 & 24); and April 10 (#13-16), 1959

The eldest of Bing Crosbys sons, Gary (1933-1995), became, almost inevitably, part of the entertainment business from his early teens, performing for quite a few years with considerable success as an actor and singer. Unfortunately, from the late 60s his career began to decline due to personal problems and never recovered. But in the late 50s, while he was still enjoying the limelight, he recorded these two albums, singing with swing, conviction and the benefit of some exceptionally crisp and driving jazz backing.

On the first, G.C. Belts the Blues, an eleven-piece band conducted and arranged by Marty Paich provides the swinging framework to Crosbys interpretations of well known, bluesy tunes. On the second, The Happy Bachelor, arranger Bunny Botkin uses a quartet with guitar, with the occasional addition of a trumpet or a vibist to make it a quintet. The groups support adds zest to a collection of pleasant tunes, while Crosbys charm and personality reveal an artist of style and individuality.

Gary Crosby Belts Out The Blues/The Happy Bachelor

Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:36
Size: 97.5 MB
Styles: R&B
Year: 1974/2013
Art: Front

[3:28] 1. Smile Please
[5:02] 2. Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away
[3:29] 3. Too Shy To Say
[4:56] 4. Boogie On Reggae Woman
[4:20] 5. Creepin'
[3:23] 6. You Haven't Done Nothin'
[4:01] 7. It Ain't No Use
[5:59] 8. They Won't Go When I Go
[3:48] 9. Bird Of Beauty
[4:07] 10. Please Don't Go

After the righteous anger and occasional despair of the socially motivated Innervisions, Stevie Wonder returned with a relationship record: Fulfillingness' First Finale. The cover pictures his life as an enormous wheel, part of which he's looking ahead to and part of which he's already completed (the latter with accompanying images of Little Stevie, JFK and MLK, the Motor Town Revue bus, a child with balloons, his familiar Taurus logo, and multiple Grammy awards). The songs and arrangements are the warmest since Talking Book, and Stevie positively caresses his vocals on this set, encompassing the vagaries of love, from dreaming of it ("Creepin'") to being bashful of it ("Too Shy to Say") to knowing when it's over ("It Ain't No Use"). The two big singles are "Boogie on Reggae Woman," with a deep electronic groove balancing organic congas and gospel piano, and "You Haven't Done Nothin'," an acidic dismissal of President Nixon and the Watergate controversy (he'd already written "He's Misstra Know-It-All" on the same topic). As before, Fulfillingness' First Finale is mostly the work of a single man; Stevie invited over just a bare few musicians, and most of those were background vocalists (though of the finest caliber: Minnie Riperton, Paul Anka, Deniece Williams, and the Jackson 5). Also as before, the appearances are perfectly chosen; "Too Shy to Say" can only benefit from the acoustic bass of Motown institution James Jamerson and the heavenly steel guitar of Sneaky Pete Kleinow, while the Jackson 5 provide some righteous amens to Stevie's preaching on "You Haven't Done Nothin'." It's also very refreshing to hear more songs devoted to the many and varied stages of romance, among them "It Ain't No Use," "Too Shy to Say," "Please Don't Go." The only element lacking here, in comparison to the rest of his string of brilliant early-'70s records, is a clear focus; Fulfillingness' First Finale is more a collection of excellent songs than an excellent album. ~John Bush

Fulfillingness' First Finale

The Gene Harris Quartet - Listen Here!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:09
Size: 121.7 MB
Styles: Soul-jazz, Piano jazz
Year: 1989
Art: Front

[6:22] 1. This Masquerade
[3:51] 2. Don't Be That Way
[6:39] 3. I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling
[4:58] 4. Listen Here
[3:48] 5. This Can't Be Love
[5:36] 6. To You
[5:07] 7. Blues For Jezebel
[5:55] 8. Sweet And Lovely
[5:49] 9. Lullabye
[4:59] 10. The Song Is Ended

Although often associated with the blues, only one of the ten selections on this quartet set by pianist Gene Harris (who is joined by guitarist Ron Eschete, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Jeff Hamilton) is technically a blues. On this excellent all-around showcase for the soulful pianist, Harris sounds in prime form exploring such tunes as "This Masquerade," "Don't Be That Way," Eddie Harris' "Listen Here," and "The Song Is Ended." Listen Here! gives listeners a pretty definitive look at Gene Harris' accessible and swinging style. ~Scott Yanow

Listen Here!

Red Holloway - Red Holloway & Company

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1987
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:19
Size: 103,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:15)  1. But Not for Me
(5:41)  2. Caravan
(5:03)  3. Passion Flower
(5:36)  4. Blues for C.J.
(4:23)  5. Well You Needn't
(6:39)  6. What's New
(5:47)  7. Summertime
(4:52)  8. Tokyo Express

Saxophonist Red Holloway (equally distinctive on tenor and alto) performs a more diverse program than usual on this Concord CD, infusing such songs as "But Not for Me," "Passion Flower," Thelonious Monk's "Well You Needn't," "Summertime" and two of his originals with plenty of soul and solid swing. Holloway, a masterful interpreter rather than an innovator, is in top form throughout the recommended set, which also features pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Richard Reid and drummer Jimmie Smith. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/red-holloway-and-company-mw0000651175

Personnel: Red Holloway (alto & tenor saxophones); Cedar Walton (piano); Richard Reid (bass); Jimmie Smith (drums).

Red Holloway & Company

Bobby Jaspar - With George Wallington and Idrees Sulieman

Styles: Flute And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:58
Size: 105,5 MB
Art: Front

(9:00)  1. Seven Up
(6:01)  2. My Old Flame
(5:55)  3. All Of You
(6:52)  4. Doublemint
(6:14)  5. Before Dawn
(5:40)  6. Sweet Blanche
(6:13)  7. The Fuzz

This CD reissue, which adds "The Fuzz" to the original six-song LP, is a fine showcase for Bobby Jaspar and acts as an excellent introduction to his playing. A mellow-toned tenor and a fluent flutist who was quite bop-oriented, Jaspar is featured with pianist George Wallington, bassist Wilbur Little, drummer Elvin Jones, and (on three numbers) trumpeter Idrees Sulieman. The majority of the tunes (other than "My Old Flame" and "All of You") are originals by group members, straight-ahead tunes with good blowing changes. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/bobby-jaspar-with-george-wallington-mw0000279813

Personnel: Bobby Jaspar (flute, tenor saxophone); Idrees Sulieman (trumpet); George Wallington (piano); Elvin Jones (drums).

With George Wallington and Idrees Sulieman

Marcus Printup - A Time for Love

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:17
Size: 149,9 MB
Art: Front

( 6:25)  1. Blue Bossa
( 6:44)  2. Besame Mucho
( 6:02)  3. I Remember Clifford
( 6:16)  4. A Time for Love
( 7:34)  5. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
( 7:54)  6. Song for My Father
(10:40)  7. Maiden Voyage
( 6:59)  8. Dahil Sa'yo
( 6:38)  9. It Might as Well Be Spring

Marcus Printup's fifth CD for Steeplechase was inspired by the few tracks featuring harpist Riza Hequibal (his wife) on his previous CD for the label; this time around, it's just the two of them and bassist Kengo Nakamura. While there have been a few jazz harpists since the 1940s, the instrument is still a rarity. The trumpeter and flügelhornist has benefited from producer Nils Winther's interest in recording him on a regular basis, while Printup has delivered several outstanding sessions for Winther. The chemistry between the musicians is readily apparent from the opening track, a breezy take of Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa," with strong solos all around and the lack of additional players never being an issue. Printup's emotional trumpet in "I Remember Clifford" and "A Time for Love" is buoyed by Hequibal's shimmering harp. The strings give the sassy, light arrangement of Horace Silver's normally percussive "Song for My Father" a step in a new direction. Hequibal almost sounds like a guitarist at times in "Maiden Voyage." Printup switches to flügelhorn for the heartfelt "It Might as Well Be Spring," making the most of his spacious scoring of this timeless standard. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-time-for-love-mw0002106087

Personnel: Marcus Printup (trumpet, flugelhorn); Riza Hequibal (harp).

A Time for Love