Big Al Sears - The Rocking & Honking Tenor 1945-1952

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:01
Size: 174,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:30)  1. It Don't Mean A Thing   [Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, 1945]
(4:56)  2. Let The Zoomers Droll   [Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, 1945]
(3:08)  3. Otto Make That Riff Staccato   [Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, 1945]
(4:07)  4. Blues On The Double   [Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, 1945]
(3:56)  5. In A Jam   [Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, 1945]
(2:44)  6. The Beautiful Indians 1   [Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, 1946]
(7:23)  7. One O'Clock Jump   [Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, 1947]
(2:26)  8. Searsy   [Al Sears & The All-Stars Rhythm Section, 1945]
(2:27)  9. Long Long Ago   [Al Sears & The All-Stars Rhythm Section, 1945]
(3:00) 10. Baltimor Bounce   [Al Sears & His Orchestra, 1951]
(3:00) 11. Now Ride The D Train   [Al Sears & His Orchestra, 1951]
(3:02) 12. Groove Station  [Al Sears & His Orchestra, 1951]
(2:47) 13. Marshall Plan   [Al Sears & His Orchestra, 1951]
(2:18) 14. Nell Don't Wear No Button Up Shoes   [Al Sears & His Orchestra, 1951]
(2:58) 15. Huffin' & Puffin'   [Al Sears & His Orchestra, 1952]
(2:19) 16. Sear-Lously   [Al Sears & His Orchestra, 1952]
(3:00) 17. Dutch Treat   [Rex Stewart's Big Eight, 1945]
(2:52) 18. Something To Pat Your Foot To   [Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra, 1951]
(2:52) 19. Castle Rock   [Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra, 1951]
(3:06) 20. Sideways   [Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra, 1952]
(5:59) 21. Sweet Georgia Brown   [Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra, 1952]

By 1945 tenor saxophonist Albert Omega Sears (1910-1990) had worked with Elmer Snowden, Roy Eldridge, Helen Humes, Andy Kirk, Lionel Hampton, Arnett Cobb, Budd Johnson, and Lester Young. This insightful retrospective allows an unprecedented overview of Sears' middle period, providing important context for the powerful tenor's later recordings by including highlights from his years with Duke Ellington. Sears is also featured in front of an "All Star Rhythm Section" with Gene Schroeder at the piano; as part of an Ellingtonian front line with Rex Stewart's Big Eight; as a fortifying force in the Johnny Hodges Orchestra; and as leader of his own bands in 1951 and 1952. 

Admirers of this exciting and all-too-often overlooked musician who don't mind having ten tracks in duplicate might want to match this compilation with Ocium's excellent survey, Al Sears and His Orchestra: The Big Raw Tone, also released in 2003. It's all meat. ~ arwulf arwulf https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-rocking-and-honking-tenor-1945-1952-mw0000321653

The Rocking & Honking Tenor 1945-1952

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Al Sears - Goin' Uptown (Parts 1 & 2)

It is ironic that tenor saxophonist Al Sears' one hit, "Castle Rock," was recorded under Johnny Hodges' name (the altoist is virtually absent on the record), denying Sears his one chance at fame. Sears had actually had his first important job in 1928 replacing Hodges with the Chick Webb band. However, despite associations with Elmer Snowden (1931-1932), Andy Kirk (1941-1942), Lionel Hampton (1943-1944), and with his own groups (most of 1933-1941), it was not until Sears joined Duke Ellington's Orchestra in 1944 that he began to get much attention. His distinctive tone, R&B-ish phrasing, and ability to build up exciting solos made him one of Ellington's most colorful soloists during the next five years, although his period was overshadowed by both his predecessor (Ben Webster) and his successor (Paul Gonsalves). Among Sears' many recordings with Ellington are notable versions of "I Ain't Got Nothing but the Blues" and a 1945 remake of "It Don't Mean a Thing." Sears worked with Johnny Hodges' group during 1951-1952, recorded a variety of R&B-oriented material in the 1950s, and cut two excellent albums for Swingville in 1960 before going into semi-retirement. ~bio by Scott Yanow

Album: Goin' Uptown (Part 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:31
Size: 122.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2018

[2:45] 1. Love Call
[5:04] 2. Already Alright
[2:21] 3. Come And Dance With Me
[4:26] 4. Moving Out
[4:01] 5. The Thrill Is Gone
[2:22] 6. Here's The Beat
[2:45] 7. In The Good Old Summertime
[5:28] 8. In A Mellow Tone
[2:44] 9. Easy Ernie
[3:38] 10. Take Off Road
[3:01] 11. Out Of Nowhere
[2:46] 12. 125th Street, New York
[2:53] 13. Tina's Canteen
[6:30] 14. Ain't No Use
[2:40] 15. Huffin' And Puffin'

Goin' Uptown (Part 1) mc
Goin' Uptown (Part 1) zippy

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Album: Goin' Uptown (Part 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:42
Size: 93.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[3:05] 1. Tan Skin Lad
[2:18] 2. Rock And Roll Ball
[4:30] 3. Record Hop
[2:22] 4. Great Googa Mooga
[2:59] 5. Brown Boy
[2:43] 6. Tom, Dick 'n' Harry
[2:30] 7. Mag's Alley
[2:26] 8. Shake Hands
[2:04] 9. Midnight Wail
[2:47] 10. Ivory Cliffs
[2:53] 11. Fo-Yah
[2:24] 12. Come A-Runnin'
[2:16] 13. Sear-Iously
[2:42] 14. Goin' Uptown
[2:35] 15. Vo-Sa

Goin' Uptown (Part 2) mc
Goin' Uptown (Part 2) zippy

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