Time: 41:27
Size: 94.9 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 1962/1994
Art: Front
[7:31] 1. Take The A Train
[5:32] 2. Slowly
[3:26] 3. Cherokee
[6:31] 4. Avalon
[6:00] 5. Me And Some Drums
[5:59] 6. Sicks Of Us
[6:24] 7. Lean On Me
A great duo, trio, and quartet session that exemplifies why jazz is such a wonderful art form. Master jazz drummer Shelly Manne is renowned for his west-coast jazz exploits and his famous club, "Shelly's Manne Hole", which was used for many famous live recordings by some great artists. On this recording he put together a great group which includes the legendary and highly influential tenor sax man Coleman Hawkins, who is in sensational form. Also included are master pianist Hank Jones and in-demand bassist George Duvivier. Special guest is the talented, starcrossed vibist Eddie Costa on two songs.
The performances on this CD are so uniform that all can be considered 'the best of the best'. An important point here is that Manne's drums are recorded more forward than usual which puts him in the center of the action. And he takes full advantage, showing why he is one of jazz' great and truly musical drummers. Duke Ellington's signature "Take The A Train" is delivered as an unusual ballad with each member getting lots of 'face-time'. Hank Jones' block chords are magnificent and Hawkins is superb. Some have long suspected that Billy Strayhorn wrote "A Train" originally as a ballad and this performance shows that approach is certainly feasible, plus it surges into 4/4 swing in the mid-section. The ballad "Slowly" is as romantic as it is swinging with Hawkins, breathy and fleet, and with Jones in a marvelous solo. Shelly's opening salvo with brushes on "Cherokee" has been reverberating in my mind for years and Hawk is wonderful. Eddie Costa makes two telling appearances on vibes and piano. If you didn't have an appreciation of Shelly Manne, this performance should help cement his place in your pantheon of great jazz drummers. In all, a great jazz CD that many may have missed. My Highest Recommendation. ~RBSProds
The performances on this CD are so uniform that all can be considered 'the best of the best'. An important point here is that Manne's drums are recorded more forward than usual which puts him in the center of the action. And he takes full advantage, showing why he is one of jazz' great and truly musical drummers. Duke Ellington's signature "Take The A Train" is delivered as an unusual ballad with each member getting lots of 'face-time'. Hank Jones' block chords are magnificent and Hawkins is superb. Some have long suspected that Billy Strayhorn wrote "A Train" originally as a ballad and this performance shows that approach is certainly feasible, plus it surges into 4/4 swing in the mid-section. The ballad "Slowly" is as romantic as it is swinging with Hawkins, breathy and fleet, and with Jones in a marvelous solo. Shelly's opening salvo with brushes on "Cherokee" has been reverberating in my mind for years and Hawk is wonderful. Eddie Costa makes two telling appearances on vibes and piano. If you didn't have an appreciation of Shelly Manne, this performance should help cement his place in your pantheon of great jazz drummers. In all, a great jazz CD that many may have missed. My Highest Recommendation. ~RBSProds
2-3-4 mc
2-3-4 zippy
Thanks for this Mat...
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