Doug Raney Quartet - Listen

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:36
Size: 102.1 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1981/1994
Art: Front

[9:02] 1. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[5:51] 2. In A Sentimental Mood
[6:22] 3. Autumn Song
[8:24] 4. Don't Listen
[8:55] 5. Bird Feathers
[6:00] 6. Moment's Notice

Bass – Jesper Lundgård; Drums – Billy Hart; Guitar – Doug Raney; Tenor Saxophone – Bernt Rosengren. Recorded December 4, 1980.

The son of legendary guitarist Jimmy Raney, Doug Raney has understandably been heavily influenced by his father. He's an impressive soloist, and utilizes almost identical full tones, crisp chording, and fluid voicings. He made his first recording with his father and Al Haig in the mid-'70s, then did duo dates with his dad in the late '70s. Raney recorded for Steeplechase in the '70s and '80s, and Criss Cross in the '80s. He recorded with Chet Baker and Bernt Rosengren, and played in Horace Parlan's band. Raney has a couple of sessions available on CD. ~ Ron Wynn

Listen

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Doug Raney Quartet - Raney '96

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:23
Size: 154.3 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[7:34] 1. Giant Steps
[8:33] 2. Besame Mucho/The Dolphin
[7:45] 3. I Fall In Love Too Easily
[5:31] 4. Querido
[6:09] 5. Fried Pies
[8:19] 6. Moose The Mooche
[7:44] 7. Re Person I Knew
[8:23] 8. I Loves You Porgy
[7:21] 9. Afro Blue

Bass – Lennart Ginman; Drums – Herlin Riley; Guitar – Doug Raney; Piano – Ben Besiakov. Recording Date: July, 1996.

The son of the late great Jimmy Raney, Doug carries on the tradition in his own way. Here, the Denmark-based guitarist is supported by pianist Ben Besiakov, bassist Lennart Ginman and drummer Herlin Riley. Fluent and swinging, Raney deftly negotiates the myriad harmonies of both “Giant Steps” and “Moose The Mooch,” a rhythm changes workout that features some especially hip, dissonant comping by Besiakov. On Pat Martino’s Latinesque “Querido” and Wes Montgomery’s swinging “Fried Pies,” he not only demonstrates his ability to blow over disparate grooves, but also salutes two of his biggest influences. “I Fall In Love Too Easily” and “I Loves You Porgy” provide the ballad portion of the program and suggest that melodic gifts may at least be partially genetic. Beautiful work from one of the instrument’s most underrated players.By Jim Ferguson

Raney '96

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Doug Raney - The Doug Raney Quintet

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:37
Size: 150,8 MB
Art: Front

(11:26) 1. Fata
( 8:02) 2. Fee-Fi-fo-Fum
( 6:37) 3. Good Morning
( 8:24) 4. Star Eyes
( 8:12) 5. Speedy Recovery
(11:33) 6. God Bless the Child
(11:19) 7. The Parting of the Ways

This LP was originally released in the summer of 1989 with Doug Raney at age 33. He released during his rather short life (1956 - 2016) 17 leader albums for SteepleChase including this 13th piano-less horn-featured recording which won accolades from critics all over the world. https://www.prestomusic.com/jazz/products/9246173--the-doug-raney-quintet

"Doug Raney is an elegant player even when he's attacking, as he does here on most of the content...Certainly recommended if you enjoy your jazz slightly in advance of bebop, but with all of that basic feel still there." ~ Martin Richards, Jazz Journal International

"No doubt, another in the string of successful Raney releases."~ Paul B. Matthews, Cadence

Personnel: Doug Raney (guitar), Bernt Rosengren (tenor saxophone), Tomas Franck (tenor and soprano saxophone), Jesper Lundgaard (bass), Jukkis Uotila (drums)

The Doug Raney Quintet

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Louis Smith - Once in a While

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:23
Size: 161,8 MB
Art: Front

( 8:21)  1. Just Friends
(10:32)  2. Once in a While
( 9:22)  3. Over the Rainbow
( 5:36)  4. Tune Up
( 7:42)  5. Don't Blame Me
( 7:36)  6. Once I Had a Secret Love
( 9:47)  7. Sandu
(11:24)  8. There Is No Greater Love

Trumpeter Louis Smith’s only major claim to fame has been two late ‘50s dates he cut for Blue Note. Then his propensity for musical pedagogy led him to the University of Michigan, where he spent many years quietly teaching and inspiring youngsters. Back in 1978, a renewed career as a recording artist came in the guise of a contract with the Danish SteepleChase label, briefly interrupted in the ‘80s by a return to teaching. Now, Smith finds himself retired and that has given him more time to concentrate on his trumpet work once again. Cut in Denmark during Smith’s summer vacation in 1998, Once In a While is representative of the kind of bebop session that is part and parcel of Smith’s time-honored approach, although the line-up is a novel one not used previously by the trumpeter. Guitarist Doug Raney is the ringer in this piano-less group that also includes SteepleChase regular Keith Copeland on drums. The quartet hits a relaxed, but resolute groove on a set of eight golden standards, including a tip of the hat to Louis’ fellow trumpeters- namely through versions of Miles Davis’ "Tune Up" and Clifford Brown’s "Sandu." Never much of a technician, Smith still has the ability to construct intelligent solos that tell a story and his sound is marked by a round and softened timbre. Raney should have received equal billing here, because his rich and melodic lines are some of the best moments to be found among this generous offering of music. Cutting to the chase, this no-nonsense affair is a worthy addition to Smith’s burgeoning recorded career. And who says there ain't life after retirement? ~ C.Andrew Hovan https://www.allaboutjazz.com/once-in-a-while-louis-smith-steeplechase-records-review-by-c-andrew-hovan.php

Personnel: Louis Smith- trumpet, Doug Raney- guitar, Hugo Rasmussen- bass, Keith Copeland- drums

Once in a While

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Doug Raney - Lazy Bird

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1987
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:21
Size: 121,0 MB
Art: Front

( 3:43)  1. Walking the Duck
( 7:56)  2. Reggie of Chester
( 6:53)  3. Feo's Waltz
( 9:08)  4. Lazy Bird
( 7:50)  5. Beatrice
(14:06)  6. Theme for Ernie
( 2:42)  7. Walking the Duck - Alternate Take

Starting in 1977 and continuing into the mid-1980s, guitarist Doug Raney's career was extensively documented by the SteepleChase label. Influenced by his father Doug Raney, Tal Farlow, and Jim Hall, Raney pretty much had his style together from the start, so his evolution since the beginning is pretty logical. This quintet outing matches Raney with a European quintet whose best-known members are tenor saxophonist Bernt Rosengren and bassist Jesper Lundgaard. Raney performs two originals (including "Walking the Duck"), "Theme for Ernie" and numbers by Benny Golson, John Coltrane and Sam Rivers ("Beatrice"). Excellent modern mainstream straight-ahead jazz. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/lazy-bird-mw0000186398

Personnel: Doug Raney – guitar; Bernt Rosengren – tenor saxophone; Ben Besiakov – piano; Jesper Lundgaard – bass; Ole Jacob Hansen – drums

Lazy Bird

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Chet Baker - I Remeber You

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1985
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:23
Size: 138,9 MB
Art: Front

(14:40)  1. But Not For Me
(11:57)  2. Broken Wing
(10:14)  3. Nardis
(12:36)  4. You Go To My Head
(10:54)  5. Just Friends

Recorded live at the Cafe Montmartre in Copenhagen in 1985, this is the second in a series of posthumously released Chet Baker concerts on Enja Records. Performing with a quartet, Baker nails another electrifying concert appearance. With the set's lengthy opening tune "But Not For Me," Baker establishes the musical tone for the rest of the evening an amazing blend of solid rhythm against Baker's free sense of space and lyricism. Baker sings in his trademark style of scattered, whispery phrases and he even plays some piano in a single-note style that reflects his approach to trumpeting. His mature trumpet work is clear, emotionally charged, natural, and personal, and his lines are often unpredictable. The set also includes a haunting and strangely sad "You Go To My Head," which features Baker's hushed, seductive vocals. This recording was never intended for commercial release, so the sound quality is not perfect and there is some audience noise, but it never gets in the way of enjoying this wonderful evening of Chet Baker at the top of his form. https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-remember-you-the-legacy-vol-2-mw0000592803

Personnel:  Jesper Lundgaard (double bass), Aage Tanggaard (drums), Doug Raney (guitar), Chet Baker (trumpet), Chet Baker (piano)

I Remeber You

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Doug Raney & Thorgeir Stubo - Everything We Love

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:16
Size: 94,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:12)  1. Just Friends
(7:27)  2. We'll Be Together Again
(6:22)  3. Half Nelson
(5:56)  4. So Do It!
(6:34)  5. Love Letters
(5:07)  6. Get Out of Town
(5:35)  7. Everything I Love

Everything We Love is a live album (LP) by Norwegian guitarist Thorgeir Stubø and American guitarist Doug Raney released 1984 in Oslo, Norway by Hot Club Records – HCR 19). This is the third album by Thorgeir Stubø released in 1984, and presents an interaction with the famous American guitarist Doug Raney, son of the legendary pioneer bopgitar, Jimmy Raney. Raney was at this time living in Denmark, and on this album Stubø made Doug Raney bring along the Danish top bassist Jesper Lungaard and drummer Ole Jacob Hansen. It was an elegant and perhaps more easily swinging quartet than the previous quintet from Jazz Alive. This time the repertoire also was a bit more conservative with the older standard songs and bop tunes like "Everything I Love" (Porter), "Half Nelson" (Miles Davis), "Love Letters" (Young), "Get out of town" (Porter) Just Friends (Klenner/Lewis), "We'll be together again" (Fisher/Lane) and "So do it" (Montgomery). The two guitarists clearly shows that they have some of the same influences, and they are relatively similar in style. Anyway, it's inequities and Stubø is rougher and a bit more angular in the performance than Raney's slightly smoother style. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everything_We_Love

Personnel:    Doug Raney – guitar;  Thorgeir Stubø – guitar;  Jesper Lundgaard – double bass;  Ole Jacob Hansen – drums

Everything We Love

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Doug Raney Sextet - Meeting The Tenors

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:57
Size: 109.8 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Mainstream jazz
Year: 1984/1994
Art: Front

[7:45] 1. Up In Quincy's Room
[8:57] 2. Blues For Bart
[6:54] 3. Waltz Number One
[7:36] 4. Arrival
[7:23] 5. Lover Man
[9:19] 6. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes

Bass – Jesper Lundgaard; Drums – Ole Jacob Hansen; Flute – Bernt Rosengren; Guitar – Doug Raney; Piano – Horace Parlan; Tenor Saxophone – Bernt Rosengren, Ferdinand Povel. Recorded April 29, 1983 in Monster, The Netherlands by Max Bolleman.

This marvellous Bebop record is musical reference for any listener. The piano solo and comping are instructive, the tenors are didactic and the guitar edificatory , all extraordinary !!! ~Alvaro Da Silva

Meeting The Tenors mc
Meeting The Tenors zippy

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Jimmy Raney, Doug Raney - Stolen Moments

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:29
Size: 90.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1979/1994
Art: Front

[3:51] 1. Jonathan's Waltz
[5:09] 2. Chelsea Bridge
[5:54] 3. Stolen Moments
[4:49] 4. How My Heart Sings
[6:37] 5. I Should Care
[6:07] 6. Samba Teekens
[6:59] 7. Alone Together

Other than one number on a Jimmy Raney album from 1975, this set was the first joint recording by Jimmy and his son Doug Raney. The two similar-sounding guitarists team up with bassist Michael Moore and drummer Billy Hart on five standards (including "Chelsea Bridge," "Stolen Moments" and "Alone Together") and a couple of Jimmy's originals. The guitarists blend together quite well, and often one does not know who is soloing; the results should delight fans of cool-toned modern mainstream guitar. ~Scott Yanow

Stolen Moments

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Doug Raney - Blue And White

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:17
Size: 119.7 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1984/1995
Art: Front

[6:16] 1. Blue And White
[7:07] 2. I Love You
[9:33] 3. Gingerbread Boy
[6:55] 4. That Old Devil Moon
[5:43] 5. Old Folks
[9:15] 6. Straight Street
[7:24] 7. Minority

Doug Raney has recorded extensively for Steeplechase since his debut as a leader in 1977. On this 1984 session, the cool-toned guitarist is accompanied by pianist Ben Besiakov, bassist Jesper Lundgaard, and drummer Aage Tanggaard, sounding reminiscent of his father, the late Jimmy Raney. The leader is the primary soloist throughout most of the date, offering lyrical takes of standards like "I Love You" and "Old Folks." His intricate interpretation of Jimmy Heath's "Gingerbread Boy" and John Coltrane's "Straight Street" also has extensively feature Besiakov to good effect. Because Doug Raney has recorded almost exclusively for European labels, he isn't as well known in his homeland, but his CDs are well worth exploring. ~Ken Dryden

Blue And White

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Bernt Rosengren - Surprise Party

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 41:39
Size: 76,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:46)  1. Solar
(8:08)  2. I Should Care
(7:37)  3. Dr. Jackle
(6:30)  4. Hip Walk
(8:03)  5. Embraceable You
(5:32)  6. Airegin

Greatly influenced by Sonny Rollins, Bernt Rosengren has been one of Sweden's most respected tenor saxmen since the 1950s. The big-toned, hard-blowing improviser was 19 when he started to make a name for himself in Scandinavia as a member of the quintet Jazz Club 57, and at 21, he was hired to represent Sweden in the Newport Jazz Band in the U.S. In 1961, his tenor was heard in American director Roman Polanski's debut film, Knife in the Water. Over the years, several of Rosengren's albums topped Swedish jazz polls, including Stockholm Dues in 1965, Improvisations in 1969, and Notes From the Underground in 1974. It was during the mid-'60s that Rosengren played alongside trumpeter Thad Jones in a sextet led by American pianist George Russell, who was living in Europe at the time. Although he started out playing hard bop and never gave it up, he got more into post-bop experimentation in the late '60s, when trumpeter Don Cherry was in his quartet, and the early to mid-'70s, when he combined jazz with Turkish and Middle Eastern folk as part of the group Sevda. In 1975, he played regularly with Swedish baritone saxman Lars Gullin and formed his own big band. The 1980s found Rosengren working with American hard boppers ranging from guitarist Doug Raney to pianist Horace Parlan. And in the 1990s, his activities included a jazz salute to the music from Porgy & Bess (The Bernt Rosengren Octet Plays George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess) and being featured prominently on the great Swedish trumpeter Rolf Ericson's final recording before his death, I Love You So (1995, Amigo). Turning 60 in 1997, Rosengren still played with the energy and stamina of a young man. ~ Alex Henderson  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bernt-rosengren/id110728495#fullText

Personnel:  Tenor Saxophone – Bernt Rosengren;  Bass – Jesper Lundgård;  Drums – Aage Tanggaard;  Guitar – Doug Raney;  Piano – Horace Parlan. 

Surprise Party

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Martin Jacobsen - Current State

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 67:37
Size: 125,2 MB
Art: Front

(7:54)  1. Witchcraft
(4:10)  2. Backwater
(9:53)  3. Stairway
(8:46)  4. Forest Flower
(5:21)  5. This I Dig Of You
(7:15)  6. Everything I Love
(5:02)  7. Arrival
(7:58)  8. Polkadots And Moonbeams
(6:29)  9. Funk In Deep Freeze
(4:45) 10. Current State

Tenor saxophonist Martin Jacobsen certainly falls into the latter category, a young Danish man seeking his fortune in the niche market foothills that are today’s jazz scene. Like many saxophonists of his generation, Jacobsen admits to a strong Coltrane influence. Though his preferred vintage of Trane isn’t as common, drawing on the saxophonist’s lesser touted Prestige years for inspiration and guidance. The chosen songbook also reflects a deep interest in Fifties hard bop and incorporates a pair of Hank Mobley tunes along with a handful of standards that were favorites for blowing sessions back in the day. Jacobsen opts for only a pair of originals, preferring instead to pack the program with an assortment familiar and lesser-known vehicles by others. His own tunes, the hard swinging “Backwater” and the title track, show him to be a composer of promise. While it’s instructive to hear his interpretations of familiar standards, the presence of only a few of his own pieces leaves the program feeling somehow incomplete. Jacobsen’s colleagues evidence an equal affinity for this balance of blues and bop and guitarist Raney in particular fits beautifully as chief chordal foil. Frenchman Naturel and American Hollander achieve a relaxed, but propulsive rapport and effectively fuel the action. Raney’s lustrous comping frames Jacobsen’s dry cerulean lines on the opening entry “Witchcraft.” The guitarist’s own solo, steeped in bright fleshy single notes, is in turn accented by the steady rhythmic push of Naturel and Hollander. 

Naturel’s elastic arco approach recalls Paul Chambers in the swinging saw-tooth pitch of his tree-felling lines. Charles Lloyd’s “Forest Flower” receives a lengthy reading and the syncopated Latin melody matches Jacobsen’s plush warm tone exquisitely. Raney’s effusive comping weaves with Hollander’s syncopations to create a lush tropical backdrop. The surprise comes with Naturel’s early pizzicato solo, thick and ripe with a succulent fulsome groove. It’s a pleasing trick he repeats on Cole Porter’s “Everything I Love.” The two Mobley tunes, “The I Dig of You” and “Funk in Deep Freeze,” accentuate the quartet’s sterling bop credentials. The four men sound like their having a ball blowing through the blues-plentiful changes and Jacobsen echoes the spirit of the composer, but with a greater urgency and resiliency to his tone. Raney’s cleverly constructed solo on the latter piece is easily his finest of the date. By his astute choice of album titles Jacobsen seems well aware of what makes jazz a vital music. It’s the constant sense of growth and discovery, taking the old and making it new. While this is a fine debut, there’s little doubt that future endeavors will prove even more impressive as the both Jacobsen and the band continue to mature. ~ Derek Taylor https://www.allaboutjazz.com/current-state-martin-jacobsen-steeplechase-records-review-by-derek-taylor.php

Personnel: Martin Jacobsen- tenor saxophone; Doug Raney- guitar; Gilles Naturel- bass; Rick Hollander.

Current State

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Martin Jacobsen - At The Jazzhouse

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 63:02
Size: 144,5 MB
Art: Front

( 7:42)  1. Reggie Of Chester
(10:50)  2. Forest Flower
( 8:35)  3. Stairway To The Stars
( 7:40)  4. U. M. M. G.
( 9:56)  5. In A Sentimental Mood
( 9:49)  6. Witchcraft
( 8:26)  7. This I Dig Of You

Although Danish-born Martin Jacobsen considers Paris his home base, the busy saxophonist travels extensively throughout Europe and abroad, performing with such notable jazz performers as David Sanborn. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, he began playing the tenor saxophone at the relatively late age 19, driven by a strong urge for musical expression after listening to jazz for about a year, especially the Miles Davis group with John Coltrane of the 1950s. He received a few lessons from fellow tenorman Tomas Franck, but largely taught himself to play. "It isn't always the best way to learn because you can make mistakes, do things wrong and then you have to waste time correcting bad technique. But also, doing it the hard way, you can make discoveries. You definitely find out what is really important." Through the 1990s, Martin worked with a host of talented young jazz players on the Copenhagen scene and was heard with the Bust'n Bloopers Big Band with among others Bob Mintzer and formed his quartet with guitarist Jacob Fischer in 1993. In 1995, he took the advice of saxophonist Bob Rockwell who suggested he move to either New York or Paris. Martin plumped for "Paree" and has since been performing and recording CDs, radio and television shows with Doug Raney, Bobby Durham, David Sanborn, Gil Goldstein, Rick Hollander, Jesse van Ruller, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Antonio Farao, Mark Taylor, Yutaka Shiina and many others.  Martin Jacobsen has his base in Paris, but is a busy traveler in Europe and abroad and has performed in more than 25 countries, including Japan, Italy, England, Germany, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mongolia, Singapore, China, Mongolia, Macedonia, Albania, Scotland, South Korea, Canada, Indonesia, Spain, UAE, Mozambique, Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Netherlands, Belgium, Lebanon and of cause in Denmark. http://www.martinjacobsen.com/biography.htm

Personnel:  Martin Jacobsen, tenor sax;  Doug Raney, guitar; Jesper Lindgaard, bass;  Rick Hollander, drums

At The Jazzhouse

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Jimmy Raney, Doug Raney - Duets

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 42:23

Size: 97.0 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 1986

Art: Front

[4:02] 1. Have You Met Miss Jones

[5:22] 2. My One And Only Love

[5:10] 3. Action

[6:28] 4. Invitation

[5:15] 5. It Might As Well Be Spring

[5:22] 6. Days Of Wine And Roses

[4:18] 7. Oleo

[6:22] 8. My Funny Valentine

Father and son guitarists Jimmy and Doug Raney first started working together in 1977, usually in a quartet. Fortunately, they had a couple opportunities to record together. The previous recording Stolen Moments matched their guitars with bass and drums; on this particular occasion, they perform an enjoyable set of duets on seven jazz standards and Jimmy Raney's "Action." Although Doug (then 22) was clearly influenced by his father, he had also listened closely to Tal Farlow and Jim Hall; with practice, listeners should be able to tell the Raneys apart. Highlights of the date include "Have You Met Miss Jones," "Invitation" and "Days of Wine and Roses." ~Scott Yanow

Duets  

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Horace Parlan - Hi-Fly

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:32
Size: 163.8 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[6:55] 1. Hi-Fly
[7:27] 2. Round Abour Midnight
[4:43] 3. Once I Loved
[6:59] 4. Darn That Dream
[5:30] 5. Who Cares
[4:41] 6. West Coast Blues
[6:33] 7. Hi-Fly
[7:25] 8. Round Abour Midnight
[4:46] 9. Once I Loved
[6:51] 10. Darn That Dream
[5:12] 11. Who Cares
[4:25] 12. West Coast Blues

This Horace Parlan session is a bit different from most of his albums for Steeplechase. First, he utilizes a drummerless trio with guitarist Doug Raney and bassist Wilbur Little. Second, it was recorded initially via direct-to-disc, which meant no editing was possible and an entire album side had to be recorded in one take without stopping. The short-lived revival of this process produced albums of exquisite sound, but they had to be limited edition due to the limited wear the few disc masters could endure in the manufacturing process. Fortunately, the masters were either in great condition or the session was also taped on reels as well, because the identical six songs (played in the same order) are heard in alternate versions on this expanded CD reissue. The ease with which Parlan and Raney handle "Hi-Fly" over Little's walking bass is the mark of masters, while the bittersweet air of the bossa nova "Once I Loved" is carried by the guitarist. The alternate takes are just as viable as the masters, so it must have been difficult for producer Nils Winther to choose between them when the original LP was being prepared. ~Ken Dryden

Hi-Fly

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Doug Raney Trio - The Backbeat

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:15
Size: 148,1 MB
Art: Front

( 8:57)  1. Love For Sale
(11:22)  2. Jimmy James
(10:31)  3. Prelude To A Kiss
( 7:56)  4. The Backbeat
( 8:33)  5. Purple Eyes
( 7:33)  6. Lee
( 9:21)  7. Driftin'

Some how out of the lineage of significant jazz guitarists, the late Jimmy Raney gets left out of the mix. In equal fashion, it seems like his son Doug suffers from the same lack of awareness on the part of the general jazz public. Doug’s choice to reside in Denmark probably doesn’t help the recognition factor either. Fortunately, SteepleChase has chosen on several occasions to provide a recorded forum for the younger Raney’s creative muse. Opting for a different line-up then utilized on his past SteepleChase efforts, Raney chooses to work in the organ combo format for The Backbeat. In the label’s entire catalog, this marks only the third time a B-3 would be on hand and the second appearance by De Francesco, the other two occasions both being Dave Stryker projects. It proves to be a winning combination, with Raney’s melodic warmth complimented nicely by Joey’s bop histrionics. As I listen to the relaxed lilt of “Jimmy James” (an original by Doug written for his late dad and his young son) the idea of this perfect combination becomes even more apparent. 

DeFrancesco keeps the bass plump and full each time the four-chord vamp comes around and even with all his technical ability, Raney takes his time and unfold his own story with patience. Hart is a model of heartening support throughout. He also creates great interest through his imaginative use of cymbal timbres. Other winners are Horace Silver’s title track and Herbie Hancock’s “Driftin’”. But then again, everything here comes out fitting as comfortably as a favorite old flannel shirt.~C.Andrew Hovan http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-backbeat-doug-raney-steeplechase-records-review-by-c-andrew-hovan.php

Personnel: Doug Raney- guitar, Joey DeFrancesco- organ, Billy Hart- drums

R.I.P.
Born:  August 29, 1956 /Died:  May 2, 2016

The Backbeat

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Doug Raney - Something's Up

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:19
Size: 141,2 MB
Art: Front

( 6:28)  1. Something's Up
(11:10)  2. Good Morning Heartache
( 6:10)  3. Speedy Recovery
( 6:45)  4. Upper Manhattan Medical Group
( 7:47)  5. Nobody Else But Me
( 6:54)  6. Visceral Drives
( 9:04)  7. Dolphin Dance
( 6:58)  8. Mohawk

The son of legendary guitarist Jimmy Raney, Doug Raney has understandably been heavily influenced by his father. He's an impressive soloist, and utilizes almost identical full tones, crisp chording, and fluid voicings. He made his first recording with his father and Al Haig in the mid-'70s, then did duo dates with his dad in the late '70s. Raney recorded for Steeplechase in the '70s and '80s, and Criss Cross in the '80s. He recorded with Chet Baker and Bernt Rosengren, and played in Horace Parlan's band. Raney has a couple of sessions available on CD.~Ron Wynn https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/doug-raney/id159190087#fullText

Personnel: Doug Raney (guitar); Ben Besiakov (piano); Jesper Lundgaard (bass); Billy Hart (drums).

Something's Up

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Doug Raney Quartet - Blues On A Par

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:34
Size: 131.8 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[ 6:48] 1. I Concentrate On You
[ 9:17] 2. Estate
[ 7:24] 3. Blues On A Par
[ 6:11] 4. Close Your Eyes
[13:41] 5. When Sunny Gets Blue
[ 5:24] 6. La Mesha
[ 8:46] 7. Midnight Delight

Guitarist Doug Raney has been a resident of Denmark for almost two decades since he moved there at the age of 19 and has matured into a formidable artist in his own right and is well established on the European jazz scene, though it is hard to forget about his famous father and fellow guitarist Jimmy Raney perhaps because of their striking physical resemblance.

Doug and producer Nils Winther have been planning this “back home” session for quite some time. And the result is this exciting CD in which you can hear that New York and the Apple’s brilliant rhythm section gave the guitarist an extra edge.

Blues On A Par

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Doug Raney Quartet - Back In New York

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:16
Size: 133.4 MB
Styles: Bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[ 9:15] 1. I'm Old Fashioned
[ 6:58] 2. For Heaven's Sake
[ 7:58] 3. The Touch Of Your Lips
[ 7:08] 4. Skylark
[10:31] 5. All Or Nothing At All
[10:11] 6. I Wanna Talk About You
[ 6:12] 7. Get Out Of Town

The quartet featured in this 1996 recording session for Steeplechase was put together on the spot in New York, just for this date, though Doug Raney and his rhythm section quickly made themselves sound as if they were a regular working group. Raney's approach to the guitar is often spacious on ballads, never too busy on up-tempo numbers, and always focused around the melody. Accompanied by pianist Michael Weiss, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Kenny Washington, the quartet's head arrangements of the seven standards on the CD seem to come together effortlessly. The intimate approach to "Skylark" starts slowly, but gives way to a brisk, more complex development of its theme. The rhythm section swirls behind Raney in a driving rendition of "All or Nothing at All," and also features a fine solo by Weiss. Of particular interest is Raney's careful development of "I'm Old Fashioned." Highly recommended. ~Ken Dryden

Back In New York

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Doug Raney - You Go To My Head

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:59
Size: 160.2 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[8:41] 1. What Is This Thing Called Love
[7:48] 2. Tenderly
[8:57] 3. I Hear A Rhapsody
[8:38] 4. Triste
[9:01] 5. You Go To My Head
[8:13] 6. Autumn Leaves
[9:40] 7. The End Of A Love Affair
[8:57] 8. Barbados

Doug Raney is the son of the late bebop guitar master Jimmy Raney. But whereas Jimmy's playing often had an aura of cool control, Doug's conveys a sense of freedom and even spontaneous improvisational experimentation, something that comes across during the course of this set of trio performances with drummer Billy Hart and bassist Jay Anderson.

While the material encompasses eight familiar tunes, the playing is hardly pedestrian or formulaic, a standard that is established from the opening track, a rousing reading of Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" which features plenty of beautifully fluid blowing and includes a deft, highly active bass solo and some killer trades. Changes of pace are provided by numbers like the perennial ballad "Tenderly" and Jobim's "Triste"; in both cases, the sophisticated, melodic solos occasionally lapse into some especially sleek chordal episodes. The set concludes with Parker's "Barbados," a Latin/bebop amalgamation that offers the best of both worlds by allowing Raney to exercise more of his melodic gifts while grooving at the same time.

It's often said that the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree; however, Doug seems to have dropped at the base and then rolled off in his own musical direction. But isn't that the way things ought to be? ~Jim Ferguson

You Go To My Head

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