Oliver Nelson - The Argo, Verve And Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions (Discs 1, 2 & 3 of 6-Disc Set)

Oliver Nelson was one of the more distinctive arrangers to be active in jazz, the studios, and popular music of the '60s. While most Nelson reissues focus on his always-excellent saxophone playing (whether on tenor or alto), this six-CD set, Argo, Verve and Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions, focuses on Oliver Nelson the arranger-composer-bandleader. He does take solos on some of these dates on tenor, alto,and soprano (his only recorded solos on that instrument), but it his writing that takes center stage. Included are his albums Full Nelson, Fantabulous, Jazzhattan Suite (which finds the ensemble called the Jazz Interactions Orchestra), Sound Pieces, and his unusual and reverent tribute set Musical Tribute to JFK: The Kennedy Dream. In addition, Nelson's writing for Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz All Stars is here, plus his contributions (usually just part of each record) for sets by organist Shirley Scott (Roll 'Em), a group co-led by Ray Brown and Milt Jackson, and clarinetist Pee Wee Russell (The Spirit of '67). Topping off this well-conceived box are all of the music for organist Jimmy Smith's Hobo Flats, Peter and the Wolf (a classic jazz version), and Smith's first collaboration with guitarist Wes Montgomery, plus a few numbers from Smith's Bashin', Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and Hootchie Coochie Man. In addition to the playing of Jimmy Smith (who was really at his peak during this period), Wes Montgomery, Shirley Scott, and Pee Wee Russell, the most memorable soloists are altoist Phil Woods, cornetist Nat Adderley (on the Feather date), and flugelhornist Clark Terry plus Nelson himself. There is plenty of classic material here (such as the Smith/Montgomery blues jamming on "Down by the Riverside") which, even when the big-band writing is secondary, serves as a superior tribute to the underrated Oliver Nelson. ~Scott Yanow

Album: The Argo, Verve And Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions (Disc 1)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 74:46

Size: 171.2 MB

Styles: Saxophone jazz

Year: 2012

[2:45] 1. Full Nelson

[1:51] 2. Skokiaan

[4:08] 3. Miss Fine

[3:04] 4. Majorca

[4:52] 5. Cool

[3:29] 6. Back Woods

[3:53] 7. Lila's Theme

[2:33] 8. Ballad For Benny

[2:48] 9. Hoe Down

[2:54] 10. Paris Blues

[3:48] 11. What Kind Of Fool Am I

[4:28] 12. You Love But Once

[4:09] 13. Teenie's Blues

[5:27] 14. Daylie's Double

[3:44] 15. A Bientot

[3:21] 16. Three Plus One

[5:25] 17. Hobo Flats

[3:57] 18. Daylie's Double

[4:04] 19. Teenie's Blues

[3:58] 20. Laz-Ie Kate

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Album: The Argo, Verve And Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions (Disc 2)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 65:43

Size: 150.4 MB

Styles: Saxophone jazz

Year: 2012

[6:08] 1. St. Louis Blues

[6:25] 2. I Remember Bird

[2:31] 3. Ricardo's Dilemma

[3:11] 4. Patterns For Orchestra

[6:28] 5. The Sidewalks Of New York

[2:26] 6. Greensleeves

[3:20] 7. John Brown's Blues

[3:04] 8. Twelve Tone Blues

[4:42] 9. A Typical Day In New York

[4:10] 10. The East Side The West Side

[6:36] 11. 125th And Seventh Avenue

[3:07] 12. Penthouse Dawn

[5:23] 13. One For Duke

[8:06] 14. Complex City

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Album: The Argo, Verve And Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions (Disc 3)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 53:29

Size: 122.5 MB

Styles: Saxophone jazz

Year: 2012

[4:05] 1. Roll 'em

[3:43] 2. For Dancers Only

[2:49] 3. Sophisticated Swing

[3:52] 4. Sometimes I'm Happy

[5:30] 5. Lined With A Groove

[4:49] 6. Lazy Theme

[5:12] 7. Now Hear My Meaning

[6:01] 8. In A Crowd

[9:41] 9. Sound Piece For Jazz Orchestra

[2:46] 10. Flute Salad

[4:56] 11. The Lady From Girl Talk

The Argo, Verve And Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions (Disc 1, 2, 3) 

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