Showing posts with label Al Viola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Al Viola. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Helen Humes - Swingin' With Humes

Styles: Vocal, Swing
Year: 1961
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:37
Size: 96,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:29)  1. When Day Is Done
(3:55)  2. Home (When Shadows Fall)
(2:53)  3. There'll Be Some Changes Made
(3:36)  4. Some Day My Prince Will Come
(3:48)  5. I'm Confessin'
(3:09)  6. S'posin'
(3:19)  7. Pennies From Heaven
(3:17)  8. The Very Thought Of You
(3:27)  9. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
(4:01) 10. Solitude
(4:01) 11. I Surrender Dear
(2:35) 12. My Blue Heaven

The third of Helen Humes' three memorable Contemporary releases, all of which are out on CD, features the distinctive singer on a dozen standards that she had missed documenting thus far. With fine backup work by trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, pianist Wynton Kelly, guitarist Al Viola, bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Frank Butler, Humes is in top form on such tunes as "When Day Is Done," "There'll Be Some Changes Made," "Pennies From Heaven" and "The Very Thought of You." One of her better albums.
By Scott Yanow  https://www.allmusic.com/album/swingin-with-humes-mw0000691152

Personnel:  Vocals – Helen Humes;  Tenor Saxophone – Teddy Edwards;  Trumpet – Joe Gordon;   Bass – Leroy Vinnegar;  Drums – Frank Butler;  Guitar – Al Viola;  Piano – Wynton Kelly

Swingin' With Humes

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Frank Sinatra & Antonio Jobim - Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim

Styles: Vocal, Piano and Guitar
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:34
Size: 79,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. The Girl From Ipanema (Garota De Ipanema)
(3:30)  2. Dindi
(2:43)  3. Change Partners
(2:46)  4. Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)
(2:56)  5. Meditation (Meditacao)
(2:12)  6. If You Never Come To Me
(3:18)  7. How Insensitive (Insensatez)
(2:40)  8. I Concentrate on You
(2:35)  9. Baubles, Bangles and Beads
(2:36) 10. Once I Loved (O Amor En Paz)

"I haven't sung so softly since I had laryngitis." That January 30, 1967, he did it. For the first time in his career, The Voice had to put its foot on the brake. And also for the first (and only) time in 52 years of life, Frank Sinatra signed his Christian name on a phonographic record. Francis Albert Sinatra was in the studio with the Brazilian Antonio Carlos Jobim. The meeting of the greatest American singer with the father of bossa nova - the title of the album brings together the full names of the two authors - has now won a new edition, commemorating 50 years.

Short album (does not reach 30 minutes) with ten songs, brings together seven of Jobim himself ( The girl from Ipanema , Dindi , Meditation , How insensitive , among others) and three North American standards ( Change partners , I concentrate on you and Baubles , bangles and beads ). The reissue brings two bonus tracks: the medley Quiet night of quiet stars / Change partners / I concentrate on you / The girl from Ipanema taken from the TV show A man and his music + Ella Jobim (also from 1967) and an unprecedented recording of The girl from Ipanema , made during the registration of Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim. The sound is bossa nova with a more sophisticated outfit, since the arrangements were under the responsibility of the German Claus Ogerman. The album was a public and critical success, remaining 28 weeks on the Billboard charts.

Grammy-nominated, he justly lost the gold gramophone album of the year to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, by the Beatles. Sinatra was a little late in the hump. It was five years ago, since the historic concert at Carnegie Hall, that the Brazilian beat had become a fever in the United States. Although a little late, the album can be considered fundamental.

The main reason is for bringing Sinatra at a special time. His interpretation is very subtle, of a vocal technique that until then seemed unprecedented in his long trajectory. In complete harmony with Jobim and his soft guitar, the drummer Dom Um Romão stands out. "A Brazilian who seemed, at the same time, to be alert and drugged," wrote Stan Cornyn in the album insert. Warner executive, he worked several times on Sinatra albums. Sinatra and Jobim (“Tone”, as The Voice called the conductor) recorded another work together. In 1969, they got together for a new album. The irregular result came out in the compilation Sinatra and company, which went public only in 1971. Three other tracks from this same studio encounter remained unpublished until 2010, when the double album Sinatra / Jobim: The complete Reprise recordings was released, which brought together the recordings made in 1967 and 1969. In this way, it is the work of 50 years ago that must remain the meeting of the two giants of music. Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim is a very silent album, to be tasted little by little. Without haste, and for many, many times. https://www.diariodepernambuco.com.br/noticia/viver/2017/08/album-historico-de-frank-sinatra-e-tom-jobim-ganha-edicao-comemorativa.html

Personnel: Frank Sinatra – vocal; Antônio Carlos Jobim – piano, acoustic guitar, backing vocals; Claus Ogerman – arranger, conductor; Dom Um Romão – drums; Colin Bailey - drums I Concentrate On You, Baubles Bangles And Beads, Change Partners, Dindi;  Al Viola – electric guitar;  Jose Marino – doublebass

Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Ralph Marterie - Music for a Private Eye


Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 26:11
Size: 61,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:52)  1. M Squad
(3:03)  2. Perry Mason
(1:43)  3. Richard diamond
(2:36)  4. Alfred Hitchcock Presents
(1:52)  5. Thin Man
(2:44)  6. 77 Sunset Strip
(3:30)  7. Private Eyeball
(2:03)  8. The D.A.'s Man
(3:15)  9. Riff Blues
(2:30) 10. Peter Gunn

If you haven’t been collecting Fresh Sound Records’ series of soundtracks from B movies and TV shows from the 50s and 60s, you’re missing out on some of the hippest and swingingest sounds to ever filter through your malleus, incus and stapes.This single disc has Ralph Marterie and his All Star Men, which includes Buddy DeFranco/cl, Pete Candoli/tp, Bud Shank/as, Bob Cooper/ts, Jimmy Rowles/p, Al Viola/g, Frank Rosolino/tb and Gus BIvona/ts for starters, and the team is conducted by Pete Rugulo, with arrangements by Rugulo, Johnny Mandel, Bill Holman and other studio studs.The Music for A Private Eye includes music made for Bass Weejuns; themes from “ M Squad”, “Perry Mason”, “77 Sunset Street” and, of course “Peter Gunn” mix Basie-like velvety saxes and irresistibly swinging rhythm. There’s a second album, Big Band Man, and it’s from the same date with an almost exact same band. These guys hit like a heavyweight on pieces like “Diga Diga Doo” while getting as smooth as silk on “Where Are You” and “Don’t Blame Me.” This material sounds amazingly fresh and alive; all of the charts have more angles than an English garden and the solos are concise with lots to say. When did big band music start becoming sterile? It was some time after this one! https://www.jazzweekly.com/2016/12/trench-coat-not-includedralph-marterie-music-for-a-private-eye/

Personnel: Ray Linn-trumpet; Uan Rasey-trumpet;Don Fagerquist-trumpet;Joe Triscari-trumpet;  Frank Rosolino-trombone;  Bob Fitzpatrick- trombone; Tommy Pederson-trombone;George Roberts-bass trombone; Frank Rosolino-alto saxophone; Paul Horn-alto saxophone;  Bob Cooper-tenor saxophone; Gus Bivona-tenor saxophone;  Dale Issenhuth-baritone saxophone;  Jimmy Rowles-piano;  Al Viola-guitar;  Joe Mondragon-bass; Irv Kluger-drums.

Music for a Private Eye

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Joy Bryan – Make The Man Love Me

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s 
Art: Front

(2:59)  1. My Romance.mp3
(4:57)  2. Make the Man Love Me.mp3
(3:30)  3. Almost Like Being in Love.mp3
(4:03)  4. It Never Entered My Mind.mp3
(3:40)  5. East of the Sun.mp3
(3:37)  6. Aren't You Glad You're You.mp3
(3:56)  7. My Funny Valentine.mp3
(4:07)  8. Old Devil Moon.mp3
(3:32)  9. These Foolish Things.mp3
(3:15) 10. Everything's Coming Up Roses.mp3

Pre-rock pop, ballads and standards vocalist who cut albums in late '50s, early 60s on West Coast. She was not hugely successful, nor attained widespread notoriety, but her 1961 release with Wynton Kelly and Leroy Vinnegar was good effort. ~ Ron Wynn https://www.allmusic.com/artist/joy-bryan-mn0001193072

Personnel: Vocal - Joy Bryan;  Bass – Leroy Vinnegar; Drums – Frank Butler; Guitar – Al Viola; Piano – Wynton Kelly

Make The Man Love Me

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Buddy Collette Big Band - In Concert

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:48
Size: 127.7 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[ 7:13] 1. Magali
[ 7:04] 2. Andre
[ 3:08] 3. Mr. And Mrs. Goodbye
[ 4:25] 4. Blues Number Four
[11:55] 5. Jazz By The Bay
[ 7:59] 6. Blues In Torrance
[ 7:00] 7. Point Fermin From Friendships Suite
[ 7:01] 8. Buddy Boo

Bass – Richard Simon; Cello – Fred Katz; Drums – Chico Hamilton, Leon Ndugu Chancler; Guitar – Al Viola; Piano – Gerald Wiggins; Trombone – Britt Woodman, Garnett Brown, George Bohanon, Les Benedict, Maurice Spears; Trumpet – Al Aarons, Anne King (2), Nolan Shaheed, Ronald Barrows; Woodwind – Ann Patterson, Buddy Collette, Ernie Fields, Jackie Kelson, John Stephens, Louis Taylor Jr., Steven Carr. Recorded at the Lincoln Theatre, Washington D.C.

A fluent multi-instrumentalist, and the composer of everything from TV jingles to chamber music to jam-session staples, Buddy Collette has tended to be a victim of his own versatility. But The Buddy Collette Big Band in Concert, which captures a 1996 performance in Washington, D.C., is probably his best calling card to date. For one thing, it demonstrates that the 75-year-old leader remains in fine form on the tenor sax, clarinet, and (especially) flute--check out his nuanced reading of "Blues in Torrance," and the way his ebullient solo keeps bumping up against the tune's descending harmonies. What's more, the disk showcases Collette's compositional gifts. He's concocted some rousing vehicles for his 19-piece band, and the bright, brassy arrangements on "Andre" and "Blues Number Four" suggest late-period Basie, alternating catchy riffing with piquant solo voices. Among the latter, Garnett Brown delivers some attractively gutbucket trombone, while saxophonist Louis Taylor comes out swinging on "Magali." There's also a guest appearance by the leader's old comrade-in-arms Chico Hamilton, who drives the ensemble through a heated version of "Buddy Boo." But despite his aversion to hogging the spotlight, this is clearly Collette's show--and it's about time, isn't it? ~James Marcus

In Concert mc
In Concert zippy

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Various - Stringin' The Blues: A Tribute To Eddie Lang

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:29
Size: 179.7 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2003/2018
Art: Front

[ 9:07] 1. Bucky Pizzarelli - Sweet Georgia Brown
[ 6:16] 2. Howard Alden - These Foolish Things
[ 4:28] 3. Frank Vignola - The Sheik Of Araby
[ 5:13] 4. Frank Vignola - Fascinating Rhythm
[ 2:31] 5. Howard Alden - Medley: I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles/E Is For Emmet
[ 1:41] 6. Howard Alden - I'll Never Be The Same
[ 2:31] 7. Marty Grosz - Peg Leg Shuffle
[ 3:02] 8. Marty Grosz - From Monday On
[11:24] 9. Bucky Pizzarelli - Medley:Tangerine/It Must Be True/Please/A Blues Serenade/April Kisses
[ 6:55] 10. Bucky Pizzarelli - Broadway
[ 3:17] 11. Al Viola - Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[ 3:03] 12. Lino Patruno - Some Of These Days
[ 3:25] 13. Lino Patruno - Sweet Sue
[ 2:51] 14. Andy Stein - Wild Cat
[ 3:32] 15. Lino Patruno - Danzon
[ 9:05] 16. Howard Alden - Limehouse Blues

Bass – Frank Tate (2), Guido Giacomini; Drums – Joe Ascione; Guitar – Al Viola, Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Howard Alden, Lino Patruno, Marty Grosz, Michele Ariodante; Piano – Mark Shane (2); Violin – Andy Stein; Vocals, Whistling – Clive Riche. Recorded Live At New Orleans Jazz Ascona (Switzerland), July 4th, 2002.

This 16 track CD is a "guitar summit" featuring some of the top guitarists on the contemporary scene including Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Howard Alden, Al Viola, Marty Grosz and others. It was recorded live in 2002 at the Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland on beautiful Lake Maggiore. The guitarists are backed by Andy Stein, Mark Shane, Frank Tate, Joe Ascione, Clive Riche and others.

Stringin' The Blues: A Tribute To Eddie Lang mc
Stringin' The Blues: A Tribute To Eddie Lang zippy

Friday, March 24, 2017

Anita O'Day - Jazz Round Midnight

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1997
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 55:27
Size: 92,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:40)  1. Angel Eyes
(4:03)  2. A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
(3:38)  3. We'll be together again
(3:49)  4. I cover the waterfront
(2:56)  5. If the moon turns green
(3:10)  6. Early autumn
(3:06)  7. I'm not lonely
(3:02)  8. A lover is blue
(3:22)  9. Tenderly
(2:29) 10. I'm not supposed to be blue blues
(4:15) 11. You came a long way from St'Louis
(3:36) 12. Trac'lin light
(3:57) 13. Man with a horn
(3:55) 14. I can't get started
(2:57) 15. You don't know what love is
(3:24) 16. Crazy, he calls me

In keeping with the Jazz 'Round Midnight theme, this Anita O'Day sampler errs on the mellow side of things with 16 after-hours gems from the lady of bop vocal rhythm. For fans more interested in sampling all of O'Day's talents, though, there's such well-balanced Verve collection as Jazz Masters and Compact Jazz to check out. But, if your optimal inroad to jazz vocals is a smooth one, this disc with ballad highlights like "Man With a Horn," "I'm Not Lonely," and "Early Autumn" will make for ideal listening. And while O'Day is not the first word in jazz ballads (think June Christy or Ella Fitzgerald), her beguiling delivery along with the disc's wealth of top-notch charts and amazing cast of sidemen makes up for any lack of rarefied mood moments. Packed with gems from the singer's '50s and early-'60s prime, Jazz 'Round Midnight: Anita O'Day will make the familiarizing process as easy as sipping a glass of French red. ~ Stephen Cook http://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-round-midnight-anita-oday-mw0000024656

Personnel: Anita O'Day (vocals); Herb Ellis, Howard Roberts , Al Hendrickson, Al Viola, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, Barry Galbraith (guitar); Corky Hale (harp); Lou Raderman, Dan Lube (violin); Virginia Majewski (viola); Walter Levinsky (clarinet, alto saxophone); Bud Shank (woodwinds, alto saxophone); Jimmy Giuffre (woodwinds, baritone saxophone); Alex Harding (woodwinds); Joe Maini (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Herb Geller, Lennie Niehaus, Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Georgie Auld, Jerome Richardson, Richie Kamuca, Zoot Sims, Bill Perkins, Bob Cooper (tenor saxophone); Chuck Gentry, Jack DuLong (baritone saxophone); Stu Williamson (trumpet, trombone); Conrad Gozzo , Conte Candoli, Phil Gilbert, Bill Catalano, John Anderson , Herb Pomeroy, Jack Sheldon, Jules Chaiken, Al Porcino, Pete Candoli, Ray Linn, Ray Triscari, Sam Noto, Lee Katzman (trumpet); Milt Bernhart, Richard Taylor "Dick" Nash , Lou McCreary, Frank Rosolino, George Roberts , Kent Larsen, Willie Dennis , Kenny Shroyer, Bob Enevoldsen, Archie LeCoque, Jim Amlotte, Lloyd Ulyate (trombone); Paul Smith (piano, celesta); Bud Lavin, Robert Corwin , Hank Jones , Jimmy Rowles, Lonnie Hewitt, Marty Paich, Oscar Peterson, Russ Freeman (piano); Larry Bunker (vibraphone, drums); Bob Brookmeyer, Cal Tjader (vibraphone); Johnny Rae, Mel Lewis, Alvin Stoller, John Poole (drums).

Jazz Round Midnight

Sunday, January 29, 2017

The Buddy Collette Quintet - With Guest Vocalist Irene Kral

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:36
Size: 65.5 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Contemporary jazz
Year: 1962/1990
Art: Front

[1:52] 1. A Taste Of Fresh Air
[2:16] 2. Hunt And Peck
[2:00] 3. Emaline's Theme
[2:29] 4. The Meaning Of The Blues
[2:23] 5. Laura
[1:16] 6. Just Friends
[1:39] 7. There Will Never Be Another You
[3:01] 8. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
[2:07] 9. Tenderly
[1:22] 10. Nobody Else But Me
[1:48] 11. Road Trip
[2:57] 12. Detour Ahead
[1:31] 13. Soft Touch
[1:49] 14. It's A Wonderful World

Buddy Collette, flute, clarinet, tenor, alto; Al Viola, guitar; Jack Wilson, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Bill Goodwin, drums; Irene Kral, vocalist. Recorded 1962, United Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA.

The fourth of four CDs released by Studio West, a subsidiary of V.S.O.P. Records, that is taken from previously unissued transcriptions made for the radio show "The Navy Swings" features the Buddy Collette Quintet, which in 1962 was comprised of the leader on flute, clarinet, tenor and alto, guitarist Al Viola, pianist Jack Wilson, bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Bill Goodwin. As good as Collette (who contributed four melodic originals) plays on these very concise performances (all clocking in around three minutes or less), it is the six often-touching vocals of Irene Kral that particularly make this a recommended disc. Kral's versions of "The Meaning of the Blues," "Nobody Else but Me" and especially "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" are quite definitive and memorable. ~Scott Yanow

With Guest Vocalist Irene Kral

Monday, June 20, 2016

Jimmy Witherspoon - Hey Mrs. Jones

Styles: Vocal And Guitar Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:17
Size: 69,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:31)  1. Hey, Mrs. Jones
(2:30)  2. In the Dark
(2:37)  3. Tanya
(2:12)  4. I Ain't Mad at You, Pretty Baby
(2:19)  5. Have Faith
(2:18)  6. Lovey Dovey
(3:10)  7. I Don't Know
(2:24)  8. Warm Your Heart
(2:22)  9. Wee Baby Blues
(2:47) 10. If You Live the Life, You Pay the Price
(2:32) 11. Pink Champagne
(2:28) 12. The Masquerade Is Over

One of the many unfairly overlooked albums from Witherspoon's early career, Hey Mrs. Jones is a marvelous discovery, although its lack of stylistic unity, whilst showing Witherspoon's versatility, also accounts for a occasionally confusing listening experience. The best cuts on the album are priceless Witherspoon -- "The Masquerade Is Over" contains one of Witherspoon's most emotional and desperate performances, while "Have Faith" is a great gospel song, sung with genuine fervor. The album is marred slightly by a few novelty numbers, and it's hard to see anyone listening to "Pink Champagne" or "Lovey Dovey" many times, but this is a slight criticism of an album which is still one of Witherspoon's greatest.~Thomas Ward http://www.allmusic.com/album/hey-mrs-jones-mw0000232197

Personnel: Jimmy Witherspoon (vocals, guitar); Al Viola (guitar); Gerald Vinci, Darrel Terwilliger, Johnny Vidor Strings, Walter Wiemeyer, Walter Rower, Harry Hyams, Justin DiTullio, Stanley Harris, Al Barr, Jesse Ehrlich, Bobby Bruce (strings); Maurice Simon, Harold Land, Jay Migliori, Ted Nash, Ben Webster, William Green , Charlie Kennedy (saxophone); Conrad Gozzo , John Anderson Concert Orchestra , Gerald Wilson, Al Porcino, Martin Banks (trumpet); Richard Taylor "Dick" Nash , Frank Rosolino, Lew McCreary (trombone); Bill Miller (piano); Earl Palmer , Mel Lewis (drums).

Hey Mrs. Jones

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Laurindo Almeida - Viva Bossa Nova!

Styles: Guitar Jazz, Brazilian Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:22
Size: 65,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:21)  1. Naked City Theme
(2:27)  2. Lazy River
(2:16)  3. Ramblin' Rose
(2:25)  4. Maria
(2:18)  5. Petite Fleur
(2:22)  6. Teach Me Tonight
(2:36)  7. Lolipops and Roses
(2:05)  8. Moon River
(3:15)  9. Desafinado
(1:55) 10. Mr. Lucky
(2:15) 11. One Note Samba
(2:01) 12. Theme from 'Route '66'

Although Laurindo Almeida was involved in many top notch authentic Bossa Nova albums, he was hardly a purist and didn’t mind mixing pop elements with Bossa Nova with the intent of reaching a broader audience. Such is the case with “Viva Bossa Nova!” from 1962, the rhythms are pure Bossa Nova, and they are expertly played, but the melodies come from popular movies and TV shows. Adding to the early 60s pop appeal is Jimmy Rowles playing a beautifully cheezy electric organ, the ultimate in ‘lounge cool’ in this pre-hippie era. It all adds up, real Bossa Nova fans may not dig this, but its perfect for fans of exotica and 60s bachelor pad mystique. Although this was mostly meant to be a pop album, none of these excellent musicians checked their creativity and talent at the door. All of the arrangements are varied and interesting and almost every tune provides a solo or two. Some top tune honors go to “Maria”, with a great sax solo from Bob Cooper, and “Petite Le Fleur” with a beautiful bass flute melody from Justin Gordon. 

“Mr Lucky” and “Theme from Route 66” are also successes in arrangement and execution. Throughout this album, Almeida and his producers stay away from overplayed tunes and the kind of super corny songs that can often drag these kind of records down. “Moon River” is probably the only song close to that category, everything else on here sounds fairly fresh. Although the choice of songs pushes this album more in a pop/exotica type direction, the high musicianship and general good-taste in presentation might make this appealing to fans of real Bossa Nova too. http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/review/viva-bossa-nova/247448

Personnel:  Bass – Max Bennett;  Flute – Justin Gordon;  Guitar [Second] – Al Viola, Howard Roberts;  Guitar, Cavaquinho – Laurindo Almeida;  Organ [Electronic] – Jimmy Rowles;  Percussion – Chico Guerrero, Milt Holland, Shelly Manne;  Tenor Saxophone – Bob Cooper;  Trumpet – Don Fagerquist

Viva Bossa Nova!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Julie London - Sings The Choicest Of Cole Porter

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:44
Size: 111.6 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1991/2010
Art: Front

[4:33] 1. All Through The Night
[1:44] 2. What Is This Thing Called Love
[2:57] 3. Get Out Of Town
[2:40] 4. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
[4:07] 5. So In Love
[2:13] 6. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[2:39] 7. In The Still Of The Night
[3:27] 8. At Long Last Love
[1:48] 9. I Love You
[3:02] 10. I've Got You Under My Skin
[2:37] 11. Love For Sale
[2:29] 12. Easy To Love
[2:28] 13. Make It Another Old-Fashioned, Please
[2:16] 14. You Do Something To Me
[2:46] 15. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
[2:29] 16. Always True To You In My Fashion
[4:22] 17. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

Julie London (vocals), Bud Shank (alto saxophone, flute), Barney Kessel, Al Viola, Joe Pass, Howard Roberts (guitar), Jimmy Rowles, Russ Freeman (piano), Emil Richards (vibraphone), Ray Leatherwood, Don Bagley, Red Mitchell, Monty Budwig (bass), Earl Palmer, Colin Bailey (drums).

In celebration of what would have been Cole Porter's 100th year, EMI collected all of Julie London's studio recordings of the master's work onto one compact disc. Ten of the 17 tracks come from 1965's exceptional All Through the Night, which finds the sultry vocalist proving her cool jazz mettle once again with a quintet led by Bud Shank. The other seven songs are culled from London's sessions with Barney Kessel, Jimmy Rowles, and various studio orchestras. If anyone doubts that London was a jazz-based singer at heart (and there are many doubters out there), listen to the two versions of "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" that are included here. London sticks to the melody in each but offers completely different emotional and musical interpretations that relate to the type of backing band. This was EMI's first Julie London CD reissue and it remains one of the best out. ~ Nick Dedina

Sings The Choicest Of Cole Porter

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Al Viola - Solo Guitar

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:46
Size: 84,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:40)  1. Alone Together
(2:44)  2. Yesterdays
(3:42)  3. Imagination
(2:26)  4. My Old Flame
(3:24)  5. Warm Valley
(2:21)  6. I Get A Kick Out Of You
(3:35)  7. Don't Blame Me
(2:31)  8. Cheek To Cheek
(3:19)  9. My Romance
(3:44) 10. I'll Remember April
(3:58) 11. How Long Has This Been Going On
(2:16) 12. Nocturne

During his more than 40 year career, Al Viola has been among the most active guitarists in the world. He has appeared on over 500 albums. He accompanied Frank Sinatra for 25 years. He has worked on countless TV shows and movies. His playing has been heard by everyone. This release recorded for Mode Records in September, 1957 was his first under his own name. It features eleven standards and a Bobby Troup composition played solo on acoustic guitar and provides an impressive demonstration of his great taste and style. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Solo-Guitar-Al-Viola/dp/B00B7EQQ7Y

Solo Guitar

Friday, September 5, 2014

Al Viola - If You Love Me, Really Love Me

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 23:28
Size: 54,4 MB
Art: Front

(1:43)  1. I Love You Much Too Much
(2:22)  2. He's My Guy
(2:09)  3. Comme Ci comme Ca
(2:24)  4. The End Of A Love Affair
(2:54)  5. Black Coffee
(2:07)  6. Sing A Song Of Sadness
(2:26)  7. Lover Man
(3:25)  8. If You Love Me, Really Love Me
(2:17)  9. A Sunday Kind Of Love
(1:37) 10. All Or Nothing At All

A reliable guitarist with a cool tone, a hard-swinging style, and strong technical skills, Al Viola had been an asset to every session that he appeared on, and there have been many. Viola played in a jazz band while in the Army (1942-45), where he met Page Cavanaugh. When they both decided to move to California after their discharge in 1946, they teamed with bassist Lloyd Pratt to form a trio that was very popular during the next three years, appearing in a few Hollywood films (including "A Song Is Born") and recording frequently. The trio accompanied Frank Sinatra on a few occasions during 1946-1947, and when the combo broke up, Viola started working on and off with Sinatra though 1980. In addition, Viola became a very busy studio musician in Los Angeles, performing on the soundtracks of a countless number of films (including playing the prominent mandolin part in The Godfather), television shows, and commercials. 

Among his more jazz-oriented associations have been engagements with Bobby Troup, Ray Anthony, Harry James, Buddy Collette, Stan Kenton, Gerald Wilson, and Terry Gibbs among many others; in addition to Collette, Viola also recorded in the 1950s and '60s with Jimmy Witherspoon, Helen Humes, and June Christy. In the 1980s, Viola had a reunion with Cavanaugh and soon they were working together on a regular basis in a Los Angeles area club as a trio with bassist Phil Mallory; this association continued into the late '90s, when Viola dropped out of the group. In his career, Viola led three albums, unaccompanied solo dates for Mode (from 1957, reissued by VSOP) and Legend, plus a Frank Sinatra tribute album for PBR (1978); highlights of the latter two sets were reissued on a CD by Starline. Shortly after being diagnosed, Viola succumbed to cancer on February 21, 2007. He was 87. Bio ~ https://itunes.apple.com/pt/artist/al-viola/id36785276#fullText

If You Love Me, Really Love Me

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Al Viola - Guitars

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 60:37
Size: 138.8 MB
Styles: Bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 1959/2011
Art: Front

[2:30] 1. Moonlight In Vermont
[2:58] 2. Angel Eyes
[2:00] 3. Route 66
[2:13] 4. You And The Night And The Music
[2:04] 5. Always
[2:48] 6. I'll Take Romance
[2:25] 7. I Cover The Waterfront
[2:38] 8. And The Angels Sing
[2:45] 9. I'll Always Be In Love With You
[2:00] 10. Wait Til You See Her
[2:39] 11. I'll Remember April
[1:56] 12. The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else)
[3:23] 13. Lemon Twist
[2:15] 14. Blue Skies
[2:59] 15. Take Me In Your Arms
[2:45] 16. When You're Smiling
[2:23] 17. Sometimes I'm Happy
[2:51] 18. It Could Happen To You
[2:14] 19. Lonesome Road
[3:35] 20. Makin' Whoopee
[2:20] 21. It's Easy To Remember
[2:06] 22. All Star
[2:03] 23. Sophisticated Lady
[2:35] 24. Lover

Of all the adjectives that might be applied to Alfred Ferdinando Viola (1919- 2007), perhaps the most all-embracingly apt would be resourceful. A Brooklyn native who developed most of his career as a guitarist in Hollywood, he became known in the mid 40s as an integral part of the popular Page Cavanaugh Trio. Later, in the Fifties, when he joined Bobby Troup s trio, he worked and recorded with Julie London, Jimmy Witherspoon, June Christy and many other great singers most memorably Frank Sinatra in addition to holding the guitar chair with the diverse big bands and styles of Harry James, Nelson Riddle, Ray Anthony and Buddy Collette s modern jazz quintet. That hard-earned versatility is reflected in these late-50s recordings, in which he is a one-man guitar orchestra, performing and arranging all the parts himself. He recorded the rhythm and bass guitars separately on one tape for the basic rhythmic pattern. On another, the amplified or gut-stringed guitars were used for fills (in which the guitars were the equivalent of a brass, string or reed section). The first two tapes were then combined and the single-fingered solos were added on a third tape. Viola put them all together with judicious balancing, and gave each of the twelve standards its own individual treatment, with varied instruments used to provide the special effects. The fruit of his hard work and unquestioned ability is stunningly revealed in "The Guitars."

Guitars