Dick Sisto - Earth Tones

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz 
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:09
Size: 116,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:15)  1. For the Little Ones
(6:22)  2. Zebra Dreams
(4:37)  3. Blue Planet
(5:44)  4. Conversation with Bill
(7:38)  5. No Time Like Now
(5:01)  6. Only Child
(6:08)  7. Retroactive
(5:04)  8. Silver Cloud
(5:17)  9. Free Bird

While Earth Tones is the first album credited to the Dick Sisto/Steve Allee Quartet, it's not this foursome's first rodeo. This group has been at it as a working band for quite a while now, and it previously released Spirit of Life (Jazzen, 2013)a date under Sisto's name that concentrates on the work of John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn. This follow-up focuses on originals, as all but one of the nine tracks come from Sisto or Allee, and it's a friendly date that lives up to its title's promise by focusing on warm and rich colors in a variety of settings. Everything here falls under the straight-ahead category, but not everything falls into the same stylistic bag. There are relaxed swingers, balladic sounds, cheery escapades, Latin-to-swing vehicles, and more. Sisto's vibraphone and Allee's piano serve as the primary voices throughout, but the cooperative nature of this combo is evident in the interactions of the quartet and in the way solo space is doled out. The conversation is never forced and everybody gets to shine. This album sets sail with some lyricism and cool-blooded swing in the form of Sisto's "For The Little Ones," and it docks with his angular, bop-influenced "Free Bird." There's no shortage of inspired sounds in those tracks and in the journey that takes place in between them. This quartet courts the sounds of Brazil on Allee's "Zebra Dreams," shifts rhythmic gears on Sisto's "No Time Like Now," and downshifts Bill Evans' "Only Child" into a dreamier-than-normal realm. All the while these four manage to stress a collective belief in the art of direct communication. Those looking for high-level soloing will find it bassist Jeremy Allen's stand on "Retroactive," drummer Jason Tiemann's trading on "Silver Cloud," any number of strong showings from the co-leaders but individual heroics are only part of the package. The songs and the frank approach with which they're presented are just as important as any solo statements on the easy-to-enjoy Earth Tones. ~ Dan Bilawsky https://www.allaboutjazz.com/earth-tones-dick-sisto-self-produced-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php

Personnel: Dick Sisto: vibraphone; Steve Allee: piano; Jeremy Allen: acoustic bass; Jason Tiemann: drums.

Earth Tones

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Mel Tormé, Cleo Laine - Nothing Without You

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:22
Size: 128,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:01)  1. I'm Nothing Without You (You're Nothing Without Me)
(3:47)  2. I Thought About You
(5:05)  3. Where Or When
(3:07)  4. I Wish I Were In Love Again
(5:05)  5. Girl Talk
(4:40)  6. After You've Gone
(4:15)  7. Brazil / Baia
(2:49)  8. Birdsong
(4:01)  9. Isn't It A Pity
(3:30) 10. Love You Madly
(4:30) 11. Angel Eyes
(4:48) 12. Two Tune Medley
(3:42) 13. I Don't Think I'll Fall In Love Today
(2:55) 14. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

Mel Tormé is in typically fine form on this Concord set; the problem is his musical partner Cleo Laine. Although often classified as a jazz singer, Laine, who has a tremendous range and a lovely voice, seems incapable of improvising. Backed by a 12-piece group led by Laine's husband John Dankworth, the duo perform a variety of mostly superior standards, but nothing unexpected happens except for a somewhat disastrous "Two Tune Medley." On the latter, Tormé and Laine sing 20 songs, generally two at a time, in less than five minutes; it is quite annoying. Otherwise, Tormé, who seems to have enjoyed the date, is weighed down and restricted by Cleo Laine's nonswinging style. Skip this one. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/nothing-without-you-mw0000613826

Personnel: Mel Tormé - vocals;  Cleo Laine - vocals;  John Colianni - piano; Larry Koonse - guitar; Guy Barker - flugelhorn, trumpet; John Dankworth - clarinet, conductor, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Ray Loeckle - bass clarinet, flute, tenor saxophone; Ray Swinfield - clarinet, alto saxophone;  Jamie Talbot - clarinet, bass clarinet, baritone saxophone; Chris Hammer Smith - trombone; John Leitham - bass; Donny Osborne - drums

Nothing Without You

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Arnett Cobb - Alive: Live in New Orleans

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:23
Size: 127,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:57)  1. Bag's Groove
(6:22)  2. I Got Rhythm
(5:40)  3. Jitterbug Walts
(6:01)  4. Nearness of You
(9:35)  5. Satin Doll
(7:44)  6. Slow Blues
(6:26)  7. Smooth Sailing
(6:35)  8. Take the a Train

Arnett Cobb was an American jazz tenor saxophonist known as the "Wild Man of the Tenor Sax" because of his uninhibited stomping style.Born in Houston, at the age of 15, he traveled with Louisiana bandleader Frank Davis along with Wild Bill Davis up to 1936; then with Milt Larkiin's band that included Illinois Jacquet, before nally joining up with Lionel Hampton's band in 1942. He wrote the words and music for the jazz standard "Smooth Sailing" for Ella Fitzgerald's album Lullabies of Birdland in 1951, which is also featured on this show. Health issues and a car crash, slowed him down during the 60's and 70's but we convinced him in 1980 to come to New Orleans and perform for this production. Shot at Snug Harbor on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans, Arnett is at his best backed up by Ellis Marsalis on piano, Chris Severin on bass and Johnny Vidacovich on drums. We believe this was his last performance for television before his passing at age 70 in 1989. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/arnettcobb1

Alive: Live in New Orleans

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Kirk Lightsey Trio - From Kirk To Nat

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:36
Size: 125,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:10)  1. You And The Night And The Music
(7:40)  2. Sweet Lorraine
(4:44)  3. Never let me go
(5:34)  4. Bop Kick
(8:03)  5. Sophisticated lady
(6:22)  6. The Best is yet to come
(4:30)  7. Close enough for love
(5:55)  8. Little Old Lady
(5:35)  9. Kirk's blues

One of the main reasons why this tribute to the Nat King Cole Trio by Kirk Lightsey is a success is that Lightsey (who is from a much later bop-influenced generation) sounds nothing like Cole. Featured in a trio with guitarist Kevin Eubanks and bassist Rufus Reid, Lightsey performs a set of music reminiscent of Cole but several of the songs (including his original "Kirk's Blues," "Never Let Me Go" and "Close Enough for Love") were never actually recorded by Cole; Lightsey takes surprisingly effective vocals on the latter two songs. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/from-kirk-to-nat-mw0000678415

Personnel:  Kirk Lightsey - piano; Kevin Eubanks - guitar; Rufus Reid - bass

From Kirk To Nat

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Jay McShann - McShann's Piano

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1966
Time: 35:07
Size: 55,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:29)  1. Vine Street Boogie
(3:03)  2. The Staggers
(2:28)  3. Yardbird Waltz
(3:41)  4. My Chile
(2:18)  5. Confessin' the Blues
(2:59)  6. Moten Swing
(4:17)  7. The Man from Muskogee
(2:37)  8. Blues For an Old Cat
(3:08)  9. I Ain't Mad at You
(2:39) 10. Doo Wah Doo
(3:23) 11. Dexter Blues

Jay McShann's first recording in a decade (and first official full-length LP) is a fine showcase for the pianist, who takes vocals on three of the 11 selections. McShann is accompanied by guitarist Chuck Norris, electric bassist Ralph Hamilton and either Paul Gunther or Jesse Price on drums. The material is mostly blues-oriented (including "Vine Street Boogie," "Confessin' The Blues" and "Dexter Blues"), although there are a few departures, including "Yardbird Waltz," "Moten Swing" and "The Man from Muskogee." Throughout, McShann's blend of swing, stride, boogie and blues is quite appealing, making one wish that this worthy LP was reissued on CD. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/mcshanns-piano-mw0000904784

Personnel: Jay McShann - piano, vocals; Chuck Norris – electric guitar; Ralph Hamilton – electric bass; Paul Gunther, Jesse Price – drums

McShann's Piano

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