Chuck Mangione - Main Squeeze

Styles: Crossover Jazz, Easy listening
Year: 1976
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:32
Size: 80,0 MB
Art: Front

(8:04)  1. (The Day After) Our First Night Together
(8:01)  2. If You Know Me Any Longer Than Tomorrow
(4:46)  3. Love The Feelin'
(4:33)  4. I Get Crazy (When Your Eyes Touch Mine)
(3:36)  5. Doin' Everything With You
(5:28)  6. Main Squeeze

More and more a creature of the studio, Mangione employs a coterie of '70s New York session players on an album that wears its make-out-music intentions right on its velvet sleeve. All of the titles reflect some aspect of a love affair; the playing is intricate but highly controlled and not terribly exciting. Oddly enough, Chuck effectively attaches a wah-wah pedal to his flugelhorn on a few tracks shades of Miles Davis' "jungle band" period and he gets off his best non-electronically modulated solo on "If You Know Me Any Longer Than Tomorrow." There are orchestrations, but the arrangements are just decorations, not an integral part of the material. But then, after all of the warm, fuzzy stuff has run its course for five tracks, the last cut "Main Squeeze" acts as an ecstatic release, a fine, funky jam session where all seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. ~ Richard S.Ginell https://www.allmusic.com/album/main-squeeze-mw0000651826

Personnel: Chuck Mangione - Flugelhorn, Fender Rhodes; Tony Levin - Bass; Rubens Bassini - Percussion; Steve Gadd - Drums, Percussion; Ralph MacDonald - Percussion; Don Grolnick - Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes; Richard Tee - Organ; John Tropea - Electric & Acoustic Guitars; Bob Mann - Electric & Acoustic Guitars; Gene Orloff - Concertmaster; Bob Carlisle, Fred Griffen, Jimmy Buffington, John Clarke - French Horns; Bill Watrous, David Taylor, Tom Malone, Wayne Andre - Trombones; Alan Rubin, Jeff Tkazyik, Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff - Trumpets

Main Squeeze

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Bill Watrous Quartet - Coronary Trombossa!

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:59
Size: 112,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:48)  1. Here's That Rainy Day
(7:30)  2. Blue and Sentimental
(6:13)  3. Charmaine
(8:01)  4. No More Blues
(5:38)  5. Pig Farm
(7:59)  6. Goodbye
(6:48)  7. Diane - Bonus Track

William Russell Watrous III (June 8, 1939  July 2, 2018) was an American jazz trombonist. He is perhaps best known by casual fans of jazz music for his rendition of Sammy Nestico's arrangement of the Johnny Mandel ballad "A Time for Love" which he recorded on a 1993 album of the same name. A self-described "bop-oriented" player, he was well known among fellow trombonists as a master technician and for his mellifluous sound. Watrous' father, also a trombonist, introduced him to the instrument at an early age. While serving in the U.S. Navy, Watrous studied with jazz pianist and composer Herbie Nichols. His first professional performances were in Billy Butterfield's band. Watrous' career blossomed in the 1960s. He played and recorded with many jazz luminaries, including Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Quincy Jones, Johnny Richards, and trombonist Kai Winding. He also played in the house band on the Merv Griffin Show from 1965 to 1968. In 1971, he played with the jazz fusion group Ten Wheel Drive. Also in the 1970s, Watrous formed his own band, The Manhattan Wildlife Refuge Big Band, which recorded two albums for Columbia Records. The band was later renamed Refuge West when Watrous moved to southern California. He continued to work as a bandleader, studio musician, and performer at jazz clubs. In 1983, Watrous collaborated with Alan Raph to publish Trombonisms, an instructional manual covering performance techniques for trombone. He has recorded as a solo artist, bandleader, and in small ensembles. These recordings include a Japanese Import album in 2001 containing material recorded in 1984 with Carl Fontana, whom Watrous has cited as his favorite trombonist. He traveled periodically to San Diego to play with his good friend and former student, Dave Scott, a noted jazz musician himself and TV broadcast host. Watrous taught for two decades at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, before retiring in 2015. He died in Los Angeles on July 2, 2018. He was survived by his wife, Maryann; their son, Jason; and two daughters from a previous marriage Melody Watrous Ide and Cheryl Schoolcraft. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Watrous

Personnel: Trombone – Bill Watrous; Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Jim Cox; Bass – Tom Child; Drums – Chad Wackerman; Percussion, Vibraphone – Dave Levine

Coronary Trombossa!

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Bill Watrous Quartet - Roaring Back into New York, New York

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:43
Size: 98,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:19)  1. I Should Care
(7:51)  2. My Ideal
(6:37)  3. Limehouse Blues
(9:42)  4. Serenade in Blue
(6:39)  5. I've Got a Crush on You
(4:32)  6. 7 Come 11

One of the finest bop-oriented trombonists from the 1960s onward, Bill Watrous had a low profile after moving to Los Angeles in the 1980s despite remaining quite active. Possessor of a beautiful tone and remarkable technique, Watrous was oftentimes overlooked in jazz popularity polls. His father was a trombonist and introduced Bill to music. He played in traditional jazz bands as a teenager and studied with Herbie Nichols while in the military. Watrous made his debut with Billy Butterfield, and was one of the trombonists in Kai Winding's groups during 1962-1967. He was a busy New York-based studio musician during the 1960s, working and recording with Quincy Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Johnny Richards, and Woody Herman; playing in the television band for Merv Griffin's show (1965-1968); and working on the staff of CBS (1967-1969). After playing with the jazz-rock group Ten Wheel Drive in 1971, Watrous led his own big band (the Manhattan Wildlife Refuge) during 1973-1977, recording two superb albums for Columbia. After moving to Los Angeles in the late '70s, Watrous continued working in the studios, appearing at jazz parties, playing in local clubs, and leading an occasional big band. He recorded as a leader for Columbia, Famous Door, Soundwing, GNP/Crescendo, and with his big band for Double-Time. Bill Watrous died in Los Angeles in July 2018 at the age of 79. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-watrous-mn0000765776/biography

Personnel:  Trombone – Bill Watrous; Piano – Derek Smith; Bass – Linc Milliman; Drums – Ronnie Bedford

Roaring Back into New York, New York

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The John Pizzarelli Trio - Let's Share Christmas

Styles: Christmas, Vocal Jazz, Swing, Big Band 
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:36
Size: 101,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:25)  1. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
(3:55)  2. Let's Share Christmas
(3:23)  3. White Christmas
(5:03)  4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
(4:19)  5. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
(2:50)  6. Sleigh Ride
(3:46)  7. Christmas Time Is Here
(3:44)  8. I'll Be Home for Christmas
(3:10)  9. Santa Claus Is Near
(3:48) 10. The Christmas Song
(3:12) 11. Snowfall
(3:54) 12. Silent Night

Let's Share Christmas is an engaging holiday record from John Pizzarelli. Featuring several songs arranged and conducted by Johnny Mandel, Michel Legrand and Claire Fischer, the album isn't just Pizzarelli and his trio  instead, his small combo combines with a series of 40-piece orchestras that give the music a grand, elegant sweep that combines the best of big-band pop and hip, swinging jazz. ~ Thom Owens https://www.allmusic.com/album/lets-share-christmas-mw0000080446

Personnel:  John Pizzarelli – guitar; Martin Pizzarelli – double-bass; Ray Kennedy – piano; Harry Allen – saxophone; Jay Berliner – guitar; Jeff Clayton – saxophone; Andy Fusco – saxophone; Bill Watrous – trombone; Michel Legrand – conductor; The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra; Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

Let's Share Christmas

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Milton Nascimento - Courage

Styles: Vocal, Brazilian Bossa Nova 
Year: 1969
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:27
Size: 81,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:52)  1. Bridges (Travessia)
(3:13)  2. Vera Cruz
(2:45)  3. Tres Pontas
(4:12)  4. Outubro (October)
(3:27)  5. Courage
(3:23)  6. Rio Vermelho
(3:26)  7. Gira Girou (Round 'N' Round)
(4:28)  8. Moro Velho
(2:31)  9. Catavento
(3:07) 10. Canção Do Sol (Saltworkers Song)

Milton Nascimento's first album for North American ears, recorded at Van Gelder Studios in New Jersey under the watchful eye and discerning ear of Creed Taylor, is a masterpiece, a gorgeously executed tour through his early songs. Backed beautifully by Eumir Deodato's lush orchestrations and a clutch of sidemen from the Taylor stable (including Herbie Hancock, Airto Moreira, and Hubert Laws), Nascimento unveils one first-class tune after another, many of which would ignite a rush of cover versions. Among the songs North Americans heard for the first time were "Vera Cruz," "Tres Pontas," "Morro Velho," the scatted "Catavento," and the intensely moving "Bridges" ("Travessia")" the latter which launched Nascimento's name on the world music scene. Singing in English, Portuguese, and often with no words at all, Nascimento's odd yet masculine and expressive baritone stands out like a moaning foghorn from the smooth A&M/Taylor sonic formula, a haunting combination. This was Nascimento before tropicalismo, when he latched onto the tail end of the bossa nova movement and quickly became one of its most inspired performers and songwriters. To some admirers, Courage remains his best record, period. ~ Richard S.Ginell https://www.allmusic.com/album/courage-mw0000199723   

Personnel:  Milton Nascimento - vocals;  Wayne Andre, Paul Faulise, John Messner, Tony Studd, Bill Watrous, Chauncey Welsch - trombone;  Burt Collins, Marvin Stamm - flugelhorn;  Ray Alonge, Joe DeAngelis, Paul Ingraham - French horn;  George Marge - clarinet;  Danny Bank, Harvey Estrin, Hubert Laws, Romeo Penque, Jerome Richardson, Bill Slapin, Joe Soldo - flute;  Herbie Hancock - piano;  Eumir Deodato - organ, arranger, conductor;  Jose Marino - bass;  João Palma - drums;  Airto Moreira - percussion;  David Nadien, Anahid Ajemian, Frederick Buldrini, Alexander Cores, Harry Cykman, Lewis Eley, Harry Glickman, Emanuel Green, Raoul Poliakin, Max Pollikoff, Matthew Raimondi, Joyce Robbins, Tosha Samaroff, Avram Weiss, Jack Zatde, Joseph Zwilich - violin;  Alfred Brown, Harold Coletta, Theodore Israel, David Mankovitz, Emanuel Vardi - viola;  Charles McCracken, George Ricci, Lucien Schmit, Alan Shulman - cello;  Anamaria Valle - vocal

Courage

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Bette Midler - Broken Blossom

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:54
Size: 89,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:56)  1. Make Yourself Comfortable
(3:38)  2. You Don't Know Me
(3:00)  3. Say Goodbye To Hollywood
(3:36)  4. I Never Talk To Strangers
(3:21)  5. Storybook Children
(3:17)  6. Red
(3:16)  7. Empty Bed Blues
(3:06)  8. A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes
(4:14)  9. Paradise
(4:23) 10. Yellow Beach Umbrella
(3:00) 11. La Vie En Rose

After a string of over the top '70s albums with high-energy tunes that made Bette Midler a sensation worldwide, she settled down on Broken Blossom. The first song, "Make Yourself Comfortable," sets the pace with a relaxed doo wop style that's hard to resist. There are some remakes on Broken Blossom including a version of Billy Joel's "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" with about twice as much pizzazz as the original; the surprising choice of "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," from Disney's Cinderella; and "You Don't Know Me," which was previously sung by Elvis Presley, Rick Nelson, Van Morrison, and Ray Charles, and still sounds great. Broken Blossom seems to be a mixed message from Midler, whom listeners love for being so uncontrolled but she has toned down on antics. Broken Blossom served as a bridge between Midler's solely musical days and her career as actress. Shortly after its release, she performed in her classic live film Divine Madness and then was nominated for an Academy Award for The Rose. Broken Blossom is quirky, though not as spontaneous as we have come to expect. We are used to an outrageous choice in songs sung by an outrageous personality. If one can accept simply melodic songs sung by that same personality, then Broken Blossom is a fine listen. 

~ Peter Fawthrop http://www.allmusic.com/album/broken-blossom-mw0000104878

Personnel: Bette Midler (vocals, background vocals); Lee Ritenour , Fred Tackett (guitar, electric guitar); Howard Roberts (guitar, ukulele); Ira Newborn, Thom Rotella (guitar); David T. Walker (electric guitar); Jimmie Haskell (strings, horns); Don Menza, Steve Douglas , Marshall Royal, Plas Johnson (saxophone); Frank Vicari (tenor saxophone); Jim Horn (baritone saxophone); Don Rader, Bobby Shaw, Gene Goe (trumpet); Craig Doerge, Artie Butler (piano, keyboards); John Barnes, Tom Waits (piano); Don Randi (organ, keyboards); Mike Melvoin (keyboards); Steve Porcaro (synthesizer); Chuck Rainey, David Hungate, Jerry Scheff, Jim Hughart, Leland Sklar, Max Bennett (bass guitar); Jim Keltner, Russ Kunkel, Shelly Manne (drums); Alan Estes (congas, percussion); Jack Jennings, Bill Watrous, Lew McCreary (percussion); Chuck Higgins, Clydie King, Donny Gerrard, Ellie Greenwich, D. David Latman, Dianne Brooks, Brian Russell, Mike Harris , Brenda Russell (background vocals).

Broken Blossom

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Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb, Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra - Kindred Spirits

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:09
Size: 144.6 MB
Styles: Swing, Big band
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:03] 1. Lester Leaps In
[5:31] 2. Theme From Chinatown
[5:44] 3. Girl Talk
[4:57] 4. Beautiful Love
[6:34] 5. My Foolish Heart
[5:29] 6. Kindred Spirits
[4:08] 7. Danny Boy
[5:30] 8. E.S.P
[6:48] 9. That Old Feeling
[4:40] 10. My Ship
[6:04] 11. No More Blues
[2:35] 12. I'll Be Seeing You

Alto Saxophone – Rusty Higgins; Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Kim Richmond; Baritone Saxophone – John Mitchell; Bass – Trey Henry; Bass Clarinet, Bassoon – John Mitchell; Bass Trombone – Rich Bullock; Drums – Ralph Razze; English Horn – John Yoakum; Flute – Kim Richmond, Rusty Higgins; Flute [Alto, Bass] – Rusty Higgins; Flute [Alto] – Kim Richmond; Flute, Clarinet – Pete Christlieb; Guitar – Frank Browne; Harp – Amy Shulman; Leader, Arranged By, Liner Notes – Gary Urwin; Percussion – Michito Sanchez, Richie Gajate-Garcia; Piano – Christian Jacob; Tenor Saxophone – Jeff Driskill, Pete Christlieb; Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto], Clarinet – Dan Higgins; Trombone – Alex Iles, Bill Watrous, Charlie Loper, Dave Woodley; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Bobby Shew, Dan Fornero, John Thomas, Mike McGuffey, Rick Baptist, Ron King., Warren Luening., Wayne Bergeron.

For a fellow who practices law for a living, Gary Urwin is one heck of an arranger. His charts for his third CD, though solidly in the modern-mainstream-big-band tradition, use traditional elements in fresh, imaginative ways, such as ending Wayne Shorter’s “E.S.P.” with a sudden and unexpected accelerando. Urwin wrote the arrangements expressly to feature the extraordinary soloists Pete Christlieb on tenor and Bill Watrous on trombone, and they more than do them justice. Christlieb is a whiz of a player and he’s in fine form here, whether sailing through the changes of “Lester Leaps In” or caressing the melody of “I’ll Be Seeing You.” And Watrous employs his phenomenal technique and lush sound for some hard swinging on up-tempo tunes like “Beautiful Love” and a warm expressiveness on ballads like “Danny Boy.”

With saxophonist Kim Richmond, trumpeter Wayne Bergeron and trombonist Charlie Loper as section leaders and a rhythm section of pianist Christian Jacob, guitarist Frank Browne, bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ralph Razze, the personnel couldn’t be more illustrious. And in spite of the focus on Christlieb and Watrous, a few other players, especially trumpeter Bobby Shew and pianist Jacob, shine in solos of their own. ~David Franklin

Kindred Spirits

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Nancy Wilson - R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal)

Styles: Vocal, Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:11
Size: 122,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:37)  1. An Older Man Is Like An Elegant Wine
(3:21)  2. Day In, Day Out
(5:11)  3. Why Did I Choose You
(4:59)  4. I Wish I'd Met You
(3:20)  5. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
(4:18)  6. Goodbye
(5:16)  7. How About Me
(4:13)  8. Minds Of Their Own (Dois Corregos)
(4:39)  9. Little Green Apples
(5:08) 10. You'll See
(3:32) 11. That's All
(4:31) 12. Blame It On My Youth

Nancy Wilson's R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal) is her duets album, but unlike other recent releases by singers in this format, which feature two vocalists (and often oddly matched ones, at that), most of the pairings here are with instrumentalists like George Shearing, Toots Thielemans, Phil Woods, and Gary Burton, which means this remains very much Wilson's baby, dominated by her hushed and elegant vocals. Only two tracks feature other vocalists, one of which, a saccharine cover of Marvin Gaye's "Why Did I Choose You" sung with Kenny Lattimore, is worth a plea to the gods to let Gaye return to this veil of tears and give Wilson a worthy singing partner. Less pop than her recent outings, R.S.V.P. is mostly made up of ballads, highlighted by a wonderful version of Gordon Jenkins' "Goodbye" and the elegant, late-night regret of "Blame It on My Youth" which closes out the set, although Wilson steps up and swings on at least one track, the vibrant "Day In, Day Out." This might not be the greatest album of her half-century-long career, but it isn't an embarrassment, either (which can't always be said about some of the other duet projects major vocalists have released in recent years), and it shows that Wilson can still wring every last emotion on earth out of a ballad then return to sing the second verse. ~ Steve Leggett http://www.allmusic.com/album/rsvp-rare-songs-very-personal-mw0000151323

Personnel: Nancy Wilson (vocals); Ivan Lins (vocals, keyboards); Kenny Lattimore (vocals); Marty Ashby (guitar); Andres Cardenez (violin); Tatjana Mead Chamis (viola); David Premo (cello); Mike Tomaro (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone); Andres Boiarsky (flute, alto saxophone); Eric DeFade (flute, tenor saxophone); Jim Germann (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Dennis Reynolds, Bob Millikan, Jim Hynes, Steve Hawk (trumpet); Jay Ashby (trombone, keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Michael Davis (trombone); Gary Piecka, Max Seigel (bass trombone); Rufus Reid (bass guitar); Jamey Haddad, Lewis Nash (drums); Kim Nazarian (background vocals); Joe Negri (guitar); Toots Thielemans (harmonica); Andy Snitzer (clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Paquito D'Rivera (clarinet); Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Bill Watrous (trombone); George Shearing (piano); Gary Burton (vibraphone).

R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal)

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Sue Raney - In Good Company

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1990
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:41
Size: 129,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:01)  1. After You've Gone
(5:48)  2. Mood Indigo
(5:49)  3. These Foolish Things
(3:18)  4. Love Walked In
(4:15)  5. Poor Butterfly
(3:58)  6. I'm Getting Sentimental over You
(4:08)  7. How Deep Is the Ocean?
(3:23)  8. Indian Summer
(4:51)  9. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
(4:53) 10. My Foolish Heart
(5:13) 11. 'Tis Autumn
(4:06) 12. The Man I Love
(3:51) 13. (Back Home Again In) Indiana/Donna Lee

Vocalist Sue Raney performs an assortment of ballads and standards in conventional singer/big band format. The backing orchestra includes several West Coast session and studio pros: trombonist Bill Watrous, drummer Jake Hanna, trumpeter Conte Candoli, and saxophonist Bob Cooper, plus arranging and piano veteran Alan Broadbent. ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-good-company-mw0000676537

Personnel: Sue Raney (vocals); Alan Broadbent (piano); Conte Candoli (trumpet); Bill Watrous (trombone); Dick Nash (trombone); Bob Cooper.

In Good Company

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Bill Watrous - The Tiger of San Pedro

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:09
Size: 98,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:44)  1. Dirty Dan
(5:12)  2. Quiet Lady
(4:47)  3. Tiger of San Pedro
(4:28)  4. Somewhere Along the Way
(7:56)  5. T.S., T.S.
(8:21)  6. Passion at Three O
(5:36)  7. Sweet Georgia Upside Down (Swe

Trombonist Bill Watrous' second and final big-band album for Columbia is the equal of his first. With such soloists as Watrous, trumpeter Danny Stiles, and either Tom Garvin or Derek Smith on keyboards, this well-rounded set (which includes ballads, Latin pieces, the rockish "T.S. T.S.," and some heated workouts) was finally reissued on CD in July 2007, along with the earlier Manhattan Wildlife Refuge. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-tiger-of-san-pedro-mw0000490492

Personnel: Bill Watrous (trombone); Ed Xiques (flute, piccolo, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Paul Eisler (flute, alto saxophone); Frank Perowsky (flute, tenor saxophone); George Triffon, Danny Stiles, Dean Pratt (trumpet, flugelhorn); Sam Burtis (trombone); Derek Smith , Tom Garvin (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, organ); Frank Malabé (congas).

The Tiger of San Pedro

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Bill Watrous - Space Available

Styles: Trombone Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:24
Size: 161,6 MB
Art: Front

( 6:42)  1. Space Available
( 7:43)  2. The Road Goes Ever Onward
( 9:38)  3. It'll Count If It Goes
( 6:13)  4. My Foolish Heart
( 9:50)  5. Mama Lama Samba
( 6:15)  6. My Romance
(10:59)  7. I Got d'Zzz'z
(13:01)  8. Village Dance

In the mid-1970s, trombonist Bill Watrous led a couple of notable big band albums for Columbia. Since relocating to the Los Angeles area in the '80s, Watrous has put together jazz orchestras on a part-time basis to play at local clubs. Finally, in 1997, a recording was released by the more recent version of the Bill Watrous Big Band. Featuring arrangements by Tom Kubis, Shelly Berg, Gordon Goodwin, Ken Kaplan and Frank Perowsky, the Double-Time set is largely straight-ahead but not exactly predictable. Most of the eight selections have their complex sections, but always swing. 

The warm-toned trombonist is the main soloist (fully showcased on "My Foolish Heart" and "My Romance"); powerhouse pianist Shelly Berg is the top supporting player, and other key voices include Gene Burkurt and Bill Liston on tenors, trumpeters Bob Summers and Steve Huffsteter, and altoist Sal Lozano. The music is as rewarding as one would expect, considering the caliber of these players, and is easily recommended to modern big-band fans. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/space-available-mw0000025021

Personnel: Bill Watrous (trombone); Sal Lozano, Phil Feather, Bill Liston, Gene Burkurt, Bob Carr (saxophone); Dennis Farias, Wayne Bergeron, Bob Summers, Darrel Gardiner, Steve Huffsteter (trumpet); Doug Inman, Bob McChesney, Wendell Kelly, Rich Bullock (trombone); Shelly Berg (piano); Trey Henry (bass); Randy Drake (drums).

Space Available

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Bill Watrous - Time For Love : Plays The Music Of Johnny Mandel

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:34
Size: 117,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:33)  1. Low Life
(5:51)  2. The Shadow of Your Smile
(4:16)  3. A Time For Love
(9:04)  4. Close Enough For Love
(5:48)  5. Emily
(3:59)  6. Where Do You Start
(5:55)  7. The Shining Sea
(6:16)  8. Zoot
(3:47)  9. Not Really the Blues

Bill Watrous has long had one of the prettiest tones of any trombonist, especially in his impressive upper register. It is Watrous' beautiful sound that is emphasized during the nine Johnny Mandel compositions that comprise this CD. Watrous is accompanied by a big band and on some selections a string section but; other than pianist Shelly Berg (who along with Sammy Nestico contributed all of the arrangements), the backup crew is never allowed to rise above its anonymous supportive role. Watrous tries to vary the program a little with the inclusion of some earlier (and hotter) Mandel pieces such as the swinging "Low Life" and "Not Really the Blues" but otherwise this is a ballad showcase, highlighted by "Emily" and "The Shadow of Your Smile." ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/time-for-love-mw0000126583

Personnel: Bill Watrous (trombone); Phil Feather, Sal Lozano, Bill Liston, Bob Carr, Bruce Eskovitz (saxophone); Wayne Bergeron, Dennis Farias, Ron Stout (trumpet); Doug Inman, Richard Bullock, Bob McChesney (trombone); Shelly Berg (piano); Randy Drake (drums).

Time For Love : Plays The Music Of Johnny Mandel

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The Quincy Jones-Sammy Nestico Orchestra - Basie And Beyond

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:07
Size: 146.8 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[5:38] 1. Ya Gotta Try ... Harder!
[5:14] 2. Belly Roll
[5:19] 3. Grace
[6:23] 4. The Joy Of Cookin'
[4:46] 5. Quintesssence
[7:21] 6. How Sweet It Is
[4:21] 7. Hard Sock Dance
[5:16] 8. The Witching Hour
[4:18] 9. For Lena And Lennie
[5:29] 10. No Time Like The Present
[4:08] 11. Lisette
[5:49] 12. Out Of The Night

Saxophone [Soprano & Tenor] – Kirk Whalum; Saxophone, Woodwind – Dan Higgins, Ernie Watts, Gary Foster, Gerald Albright, Jack Nimitz, Pete Christlieb; Trombone – Bill Reichenbach, Bill Watrous, Charlie Loper, George Bohannon, Reggie Young; Trumpet – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Oscar Brashear, Rick Baptist, Warren Luening, Wayne Bergeron; Tuba – Tommy Johnson; Vibraphone [Vibes], Percussion – Emil Richards; Piano – Randy Kerber; Bass [Electric] – Jimmy Johnson;), Neil Stubenhaus; Percussion [Additional] – Paulinho Da Costa; Double Bass – Chuck Berghofer; Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta; Drums [Additional] – Harold Jones; Electric Guitar – Paul Jackson, Jr.; Electric Piano – Greg Phillinganes; Flute – Hubert Laws; French Horn – Brad Warnaar, Greg Williams, Jerry Folsom.

Jones arranged and conducted for Count Basie in the late 1950s and early 60s. Nestico was the prolific workhorse of the Basie arranging staff during the final decade and a half of Basie's life. Their set of old and new arrangements is generally in the style of Basie's New Testament band, with even more of the smoothness and bottom-to-top power that some of his devotees admired and others disdained. Jones expands three of his classic pieces, "Quintessence," "Hard Sock Dance" and "For Lena and Lennie." He adds new versions of "The Witching Hour" and "Belly Roll" and uses an orchestration of "Grace" from his previous album, Q's Juke Joint. "Hard Sock Dance" begins with a conversation between drums and talking guitar that seems to have little to do with what follows, a superior piece of big band writing in the spirit and close to the letter of Jones' original arrangement. Vibraharpist Emil Richards is the featured soloist.

Other soloists are trumpeter Warren Luening reprising Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Hubert Laws on flute in Nestico's "How Sweet It Is;" tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, brief and stunning in "The Witching Hour;" Ernie Watts on tenor in "Belly Roll;" saxophonists Dan Higgins and Kirk Whalum in several spots; and Bill Watrous, wild on trombone in "Ya Gotta Try...Harder" and "No Time Like The Present." Whether the electric bass, funk guitar and percussion augmentation in Nestico's "Out of the Night," "The Joy of Cookin'" and a few of his other pieces constitute improvements to the Basie tradition or trendy updates will depend on the listener's perception. In any case, they justify the Beyond of the album title.

The big news here is that Quincy Jones has made his first straightahead jazz album in decades. Maybe he's coming back. ~Doug Ramsey

Basie And Beyond

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Kenny Burrell - Blues The Common Ground

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:16
Size: 85.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 1968/2001
Art: Front

[3:16] 1. Everydays
[3:17] 2. Every Day (I Have The Blues)
[2:54] 3. The Preacher
[3:59] 4. Angel Eyes
[2:48] 5. The Common Ground
[1:07] 6. Were You There
[2:43] 7. Burning Spear
[3:57] 8. Wonder Why
[5:33] 9. Soulful Brothers
[3:28] 10. See See Rider
[4:10] 11. Sausalito Nights

Recording Date: December 15, 1967 - February 19, 1968. Bass – Ron Carter; Drums – Donald MacDonald, Grady Tate; Guitar – Kenny Burrell; Percussion – Johnny Pacheco; Piano – Herbie Hancock; Trombone – Bill Watrous, Jimmy Cleveland, Paul Faulise, Tony Studd, Urbie Green, Wayne Andre; Trumpet – Bernie Glow, Ernie Royal, Snookie Young, Jimmy Nottingham, Jimmy Owens, Thad Jones; Tuba – Don Butterfield, Harvey Phillips; Woodwind, Reeds – Jerome Richardson .

When it comes to Kenny Burrell, a title like Blues -- The Common Ground speaks volumes. His approach always keeps in mind the connection of jazz to the blues, infusing his guitar with a soulful, hard bop edge. Recorded in 1967 and 1968, Blues -- The Common Ground finds Burrell backed by lots of brass and wind instruments for most of the album, hardly his usual setting. But his guitar successfully weaves in and out of songs like "Every Day (I Have the Blues)" and "Burning Spear," blending with the band and creating a pleasant balance. Much of this works thanks to arranger Don Sebesky's tasteful settings.

Sebesky seems to have an instinctive grasp of when to sit on the band and when to let it fly loose. There's the late-night, gentle feel of "Angel Eyes," and the more animated setup on the title cut. The only time this doesn't work is on pieces like "The Preacher" and "See See Rider," where the upbeat horns and shrill flutes remind one of a "groovy" soundtrack from a bad '60s movie. It's also interesting to note that the album's unusual song choices, like "Everydays" by Stephen Stills, do find common ground in the blues. There's a beautiful, short solo piece, "Were You There?," and two quartet pieces, "Sausalito Nights" and "Soulful Brothers." Blues -- The Common Ground holds up well, and the 2001 reissue offers Burrell fans a cleaned-up version of this fine album. ~Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.

Blues The Common Ground

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Dakota Staton - Congratulations To Someone

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:33
Size: 111.2 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[4:01] 1. Country Man
[6:24] 2. I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know
[3:26] 3. Girl Talk
[4:05] 4. Cry Me A River
[4:25] 5. Heartbreak
[4:59] 6. It's The Talk Of The Town
[4:26] 7. Make It Easy On Yourself
[4:15] 8. How Did He Look
[4:47] 9. Congratulations To Someone
[4:06] 10. Blues For Tasty
[3:36] 11. A Losing Battle

Dakota Staton (vocals); Cornell Dupree, Lloyd Davis (guitar); Eddie Daniels, Frank Wess (tenor saxophone); Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone); Joe Newman , Lew Soloff, Marvin Stamm, Burt Collins, Cecil Bridgewater (trumpet); Eddie Bert, Garnett Brown, Bill Watrous (trombone); Horace Ott (electric piano); Richard "Groove" Holmes (organ); Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums); Kwasi Jayourba (congas, bongos).

Dakota Staton was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 3, 1931. Although hers was not a musical family, Dakota claims to have known from early on that performing was her destiny. “When I was four years old, I started singing and dancing like Shirley Temple,” she recalled in an interview. Staton further developed these budding abilities at Pittsburgh’s Filion School of Music. “When I was sixteen, I was in a stage show called Fantastic Rhythm. From that show, I was chosen to be a vocalist with the top band in the Pittsburgh area, Joe Wespray and his orchestra. "I sang with him for two years. Then I went to Detroit, Michigan, and worked in all the show bars there…” While in Detroit, Staton made a particularly strong impression at The Flame Show Bar. From there, she followed a nightclub circuit that led as far afield as Toronto and Montreal in Canada before returning stateside and passing through Indianapolis; Minneapolis; Cleveland and St. Louis before eventually winding it’s way to New York. It was while singing in a Harlem nightclub called the Baby Grand that Staton was discovered by Capitol producer Dave Cavanaugh and signed to the label.

Congratulations To Someone 

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Bill Watrous, Pete Christlieb, Carl Saunders, The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra - A Beautiful Friendship

Size: 140,9 MB
Time: 60:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Big Band
Art: Front

01. A Beautiful Friendship (5:13)
02. Waltz For Debby (5:46)
03. Emmanuel (4:57)
04. Autumn Sojourn (5:39)
05. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (5:23)
06. It Could Happen To You (5:07)
07. The Gentle Rain (5:53)
08. Shaw 'nuff (6:42)
09. Look To The Sky (5:57)
10. Dear Mr. Florence (5:10)
11. Joy Spring (4:50)

"Combine the creative, swinging arragements of Gary Urwin, and his first-class Los Angeles big band with three superb soloist, and the result is "A Beautiful Friendship", a rwal gem. Trombonist Bill Watrous, tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, and trumpeter Carl Sanders are three of the greatest bop.based soloist in the world. Add to the set trumpeters Wayne Bergeron and Bobby Shew plus pianist Christian Jacob, and one has a CD that all straight-ahead jazz fans simply need to have" - Scott Yanow

A Beautiful Friendship

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