Silky Denims: Flip Phillips

Showing posts with label Flip Phillips. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Frank Wess - Suprise, Surprise (Disc 1), (Disc 2)

Album: Suprise, Surprise (Disc 1)

Styles: Saxophone, Flute Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:09
Size: 168,5 MB
Art: Front

(11:06) 1. All Or Nothing At All
( 8:05) 2. A Beautiful Friendship
(18:14) 3. My Funny Valentine
(11:15) 4. Estoril Sol
( 8:23) 5. One For Amos
( 7:38) 6. Firm Roots
( 8:25) 7. Nada Mas

Album: Suprise, Surprise (Disc 2)

Time: 57:33
Size: 132,5 MB

(11:14) 1. It Could Happen To You
(14:33) 2. All The Things You Are
(12:56) 3. On Green Dolphin Street
( 8:27) 4. Cottontail
(10:21) 5. Surprise, Surprise

This double CD comprises organized tunes from Wess with his quartet as well as some loose jam sessions withguest soloists over a span of four days aboard the S/S Norway for the Floating Jazz Festival. Wess himself has never sounded better, on tenor sax and especially on flute. Master piano accompanist Richard Wyands lifts the music to a higher level, Lynn Seaton is rock-solid rhythmically and unique amongst melodically oriented bassists, and drummer Winard Harper gives it his all throughout, yielding world-class, swinging results. Beginning with a pair of of good swingers to warm up, "All or Nothing at All" and "A Beautiful Friendship" establish the leader in firm control. Fellow tenor saxophonist Frank Foster then steps up for the tour de force ballad "My Funny Valentine," running over 18 minutes.

Then Wess and the trio take over for the remainder of the side: a Sam Jones-written quick bopper on flute, "One for Amos," with Seaton's grinding vocals á la Slam Stewart on Howlin' Wolf vitamins; the classic Cedar Walton piece "Firm Roots" and Wess' composition "Nada Mas," on which flute dances to a bossa beat. On the second disc it's time to stretch out and improvise at length. Wess and Foster work out on tenors for the romping, stomping "It Could Happen to You." Flip Phillips joins Wess on tenors for the flailing, hard-swinging "Cottontail," Phillips' tart-sweet sound contrasting the more ribald feeling of the leader. Then, with Wess on tenor for the title track finale - another original by Wess -- the quartet dishes out an easy swinger signifying the end of a show. His light blue tenor is chirping brightly, indicating he has plenty left for some other time.~Michael G.Nastoshttps://www.allmusic.com/album/surprise-surprise%21-live-at-the-1996-floating-jazz-festival-mw0000039309

Personnel: Frank Wess, tenor sax, flute; Richard Wyands, piano; Lynn Seaton, bass; Winard Harper, drums

Special guests: Frank Foster, Jimmy Heath and Flip Phillips, tenor sax.

Suprise, Surprise (Disc 1),(Disc 2)

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich - The Drum Battle

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:47
Size: 82,7 MB
Art: Front

(0:42) 1. Introduction
(6:46) 2. Idaho
(4:39) 3. Sophisticated Lady
(5:56) 4. Flying Home
(9:04) 5. Drum Boogie
(3:36) 6. The Drum Battle
(5:01) 7. Perdido

This set was initially issued as the 15th instalment in Norman Grantz's Jazz at the Philharmonic series of LPs, EPs, and 45s. As that highly collectible compilation of performances has been out of print since the 1960s, many of the volumes were later issued under the respective artists' name. As the title would imply, Drum Battle: Jazz at the Philharmonic features the artistry of the Gene Krupa Trio with Buddy Rich (drums) sitting in on a few numbers as well as the inimitable jazz scat vocalizations of Ella Fitzgerald on a hot steppin' and definitive "Perdido." Opening the disc is Krupa's trio with Willie Smith (alto sax) and Hank Jones (piano) providing a solid and singularly swinging rhythm section. While Smith drives the band, Krupa is front and center with his antagonistic percussive prodding. "Idaho" is marked with Jones' rollicking post-bop mastery as he trades solos with Smith and can be heard quoting lines from Monk before yielding to Smith. The cover of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" sparkles from beginning to end. Jones' opening flourish sets the tenure as Smith settles into a smoky lead, containing some nice syncopation and regal augmentation from Jones. Krupa primarily provides ample rhythm work on the emotive ballad. Smith's diversion into "Stormy Weather" is notable for exemplifying the lyrically improvisational nature of this combo. The tempo is significantly stepped up on a cover of Benny Goodman's "Flying Home," which is full of high-spirited playing and garners a sizable reaction from the audience.

The lengthy "Drum Boogie" is one of Krupa's signature pieces and is greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. Buddy Rich climbs on board for a one-on-one duel with Krupa, whose styles mesh into a mile-a-minute wash of profound percussion. The duet segues into an inspired and free-form jam on "Perdido," with Fitzgerald belting out her lines with authority, class, and most of all, soul. ~ Lindsay Planer https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-drum-battle-mw0000318913

Personnel: Gene Krupa – drums; Buddy Rich – drums; Roy Eldridge – trumpet; Charlie Shavers – trumpet; Benny Carter – alto saxophone; Flip Phillips – tenor saxophone; Lester Young – tenor saxophone; Hank Jones – piano; Oscar Peterson – piano; Willie Smith – piano; Barney Kessel – guitar; Ray Brown – double bass; Ella Fitzgerald – vocals

The Drum Battle

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Benny Goodman and His Orchestra - The Sound of Music

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1959
Time: 35:08
Size: 80,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:22) 1. No Way To Stop It
(4:13) 2. Sixteen Going To Seventeen
(4:13) 3. So Long Farewell
(3:22) 4. Climb Ev'ry Mountain
(3:35) 5. The Sound Of Music
(4:40) 6. My Favorite Things
(4:14) 7. An Ordinary Couple
(3:23) 8. Maria
(4:02) 9. Do-Re-Mi

This release presents, for the first time on CD, Benny Goodman album devoted to the compositions of Rodgers & Hart's The Sound of Music (MGM SE3810). Performed by an all-star tentet featuring Jack Sheldon, Bill Harris, Flip Phillips and Red Norvo, it contains the first jazz version ever of My Favorite Things, taped nearly a year before John Coltrane's celebrated rendition. A live set by the exact same tentet recorded a week earlier (playing one of the tunes from The Sound of Music) has been added as a bonus.

Personnel: Benny Goodman, clarinet; Jack Sheldon, trumpet; Flip Phillips, tenor sax; Bill Harris, tromboe; Jerry Dodgion, alto sax, flute; Red Norvo, vibes; Gene Di Novi, piano; Jimmy Wyble, guitar; Red Wootten, bass; John Markham (d).

The Sound of Music

Monday, July 30, 2018

Flip Phillips - Claw: Live At The Floating Jazz Festival

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1986
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:16
Size: 173,1 MB
Art: Front

(14:54) 1. Topsy
(13:48) 2. Loose Walk
(14:19) 3. Sm-o-o-o-th One, A
(10:06) 4. Flying Home
(11:27) 5. Claw, The
( 1:28) 6. Closing Comments
( 9:11) 7. Jazzspeak

Veteran tenor Flip Phillips is heard leading a jam session during what was dubbed the 1986 Floating Jazz Festival since the music took place on the S.S. Norway somewhere in the Caribbean Sea. Phillips and his fellow tenors Buddy Tate, Al Cohn and Scott Hamilton (along with pianst John Bunch, guitarist Chris Flory, bassist Major Holley and drummer Chuck Riggs) clearly had a good time stretching out on the five pieces (which all sport fairly basic chord changes); fluegelhornist Clark Terry dropped by and joins in on three of the pieces. Unfortunately the liner notes do not tell who solos when but veteran collectors should be able to tell the tenors apart.

The only minus to this CD is a surprisingly boring monologue by Phillips (one of Chiaroscuro's few unsuccessful "Jazzspeaks") at the conclusion of this disc. However his nine minutes of talking is preceded by 64 minutes of hot jamming, making this CD easily recommended to fans of Jazz at the Philharmonic and straightahead jazz.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-claw-live-at-the-floating-jazz-festival-mw0000614349

Personnel: Flip Phillips, Buddy Tate, Al Korn, Scott Hamilton (ts); Clark Terry (tp) John Bunch (p) Chris Flory (g); Major Horley (b) Chuck Riggs (ds)

Claw-Live At The Floating Jazz Festival

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Flip Phillips - At The Helm

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:51
Size: 175.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[11:03] 1. Introduction Nuages
[ 5:27] 2. A Sound Investment
[10:52] 3. Poor Butterfly
[ 5:22] 4. Jumping At The Woodside
[ 6:23] 5. Singing The Blues
[10:27] 6. It's The Talk Of The Town
[ 8:32] 7. Sweet And Lovely
[ 7:26] 8. Just Friends
[ 4:00] 9. How High The Moon
[ 0:56] 10. Prez And Lady Flip
[ 6:19] 11. At The Helm

Flip Phillips was 79 at the time of this live performance but proves to still be very much in his musical prime. Joined by a rhythm section comprised of fellow veterans (pianist Derek Smith, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Ray Mosca), Phillips gives standards and riff tunes warm and often hard-swinging treatment. Other than a few tasteless (if humorous) jokes, this is a flawless release that serves as a definitive portrait of Flip Phillips in his later years. ~Scott Yanow

At The Helm mc
At The Helm zippy

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Flip Phillips - Your Place Or Mine

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:16
Size: 101.3 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1963/2017
Art: Front

[4:28] 1. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[3:37] 2. Ja Da
[3:26] 3. Just Say I Lover Her
[3:57] 4. It's The Talk Of The Town
[2:36] 5. Summertime
[3:09] 6. Nuages
[1:42] 7. Scatterbrain
[4:54] 8. Chloe
[4:30] 9. Moonlight In Vermont
[2:48] 10. Jazz Me Blues
[3:20] 11. Stars Fell On Alabama
[2:55] 12. With Someone New
[2:49] 13. Gone With The Wind

In 1954, tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips moved to Florida, where aside from occasional tours, he has been content to play locally in semi-retirement ever since. During the 1955-74 period, Phillips only recorded one record as a leader (for Sue in 1963, later reissued by Onyx), so the discovery of a duet tape (also from 1963) with guitarist Dell Staton helped to partly fill a gap. This mid-1970s LP finds Phillips in excellent form playing a variety of his favorite standards. A virtual unknown due to his decision to stick close to Florida, Staton sounds fine in support. Although the recording quality is not quite state-of-the-art, the superior playing by Flip on such songs as "Ja Da," "Nuages," "Jazz Me Blues" and "Gone With the Wind" (plus his "With Someone New") makes this an LP to look for. ~Scott Yanow

Your Place Or Mine mc
Your Place Or Mine zippy

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Lionel Hampton, Oscar Peterson - Jazz Masters 26

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:50
Size: 148.4 MB
Styles: Vibraphone jazz, Swing
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[ 4:42] 1. Jam Blues
[ 7:58] 2. Always
[ 6:10] 3. Soft Winds
[ 9:54] 4. Star Dust
[ 6:29] 5. Je Ne Sais Pas
[10:10] 6. Tenderly
[ 6:20] 7. Hallelujah!
[ 7:08] 8. Sweethearts On Parade
[ 5:56] 9. Date With Oscar

Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton and pianist Oscar Peterson are the stars of this delightful collection of jazz recordings supervised by producer Norman Granz over an almost exactly 12-month period extending from 1953 to 1954. Granz's marvelous knack for bringing together excellent musicians resulted in the combined presence of trumpeters Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie, trombonist Bill Harris, clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, tenor saxophonists Ben Webster and Flip Phillips, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Buddy Rich. The combination of musical minds is extraordinary, and Hamp's amazing wavelength is dependably positive and uplifting. ~arwulf arwulf

Jazz Masters 26 mc
Jazz Masters 26 zippy

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Lester Young - The Jazz Giants

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:31
Size: 100,9 MB
Art: Front

( 9:35) 1. I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
(10:06) 2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
( 6:54) 3. Gigantic Blues
( 6:49) 4. This Year's Kisses
( 9:06) 5. You Can Depend On Me

Even critics who feel (against the recorded evidence to the contrary) that little of tenor saxophonist Lester Young's postwar playing is at the level of his earlier performances make an exception for this session. Young was clearly inspired by the other musicians (trumpeter Roy Eldridge, trombonist Vic Dickenson, pianist Teddy Wilson, guitarist Freddie Green, bassist Gene Ramey, and drummer Jo Jones), who together made for a very potent band of swing all-stars. The five songs on this album include some memorable renditions of ballads and a fine version of "You Can Depend on Me," but it is the explosive joy of the fiery "Gigantic Blues" that takes honors. This set, a real gem, is highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-jazz-giants-56-mw0000192693

Personnel: Lester Young (tenor saxophone); Freddie Green, Herb Ellis (guitar); Buddy DeFranco (clarinet); Flip Phillips (tenor saxophone); Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge (trumpet); Vic Dickenson, Bill Harris (trombone); Oscar Peterson, Teddy Wilson (piano); Jo Jones All Stars , Jo Jones , Louie Bellson (drums).

The Jazz Giants

Monday, June 12, 2017

Buddy Rich - In Miami

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:28
Size: 97,7 MB
Art: Front

( 6:22) 1. Lover Come Back To Me
( 8:12) 2. Topsy
( 9:27) 3. Undecided
( 8:12) 4. Broadway
(10:13) 5. Jumpin' At The Woodside

When it came to technique, speed, power, and the ability to put together incredible drum solos, Buddy Rich lived up to the billing of "the world's greatest drummer." Although some other drummers were more innovative, in reality none were in his league even during the early days. A genius, Buddy Rich started playing drums in vaudeville as "Traps, the Drum Wonder" when he was only 18 months old; he was completely self-taught. Rich performed in vaudeville throughout his childhood and developed into a decent singer and a fine tap dancer. But drumming was his purpose in life, and by 1938 he had discovered jazz and was playing with Joe Marsala's combo. Rich was soon propelling Bunny Berigan's orchestra, he spent most of 1939 with Artie Shaw (at a time when the clarinetist had the most popular band in swing), and then from 1939-1945 (except for a stint in the military) he was making history with Tommy Dorsey.

During this era it became obvious that Buddy Rich was the king of drummers, easily dethroning his friend Gene Krupa. Rich had a bop-ish band during 1945-1947 that did not catch on, toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic, recorded with a countless number of all-stars in the 1950s for Verve (including Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Art Tatum, and Lionel Hampton), and worked with Les Brown, Charlie Ventura, Tommy Dorsey (1954-1955), and Harry James (off and on during 1953-1966).

A heart attack in 1959 only slowed him down briefly and, although he contemplated becoming a full-time vocalist, Rich never gave up the drums. In 1966, Buddy Rich beat the odds and put together a successful big band that would be his main outlet for his final 20 years. His heart began giving him trouble starting in 1983, but Rich never gave his music less than 100 percent and was still pushing himself at the end. A perfectionist who expected the same from his sidemen (some of whom he treated cruelly), Buddy Rich is definitively documented in Mel Tormé's book Traps the Drum Wonder. His incredible playing can be viewed on several readily available videotapes, although surprisingly few of his later big band albums have been made available yet on CD. ~ Scott Yanow https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/buddy-rich-in-miami/id41230739

Personnel: Drums – Buddy Rich; Bass – Peter Ind; Piano – Ronnie Ball; Tenor Saxophone – Flip Phillips

In Miami

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Lester Young - Centennial Celebration

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:30
Size: 138.5 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[ 5:24] 1. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
[ 5:41] 2. Tea For Two
[ 3:32] 3. I Can't Get Started
[ 6:21] 4. Pennies From Heaven
[ 6:11] 5. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
[ 7:21] 6. Oh, Lady Be Good
[ 7:00] 7. Just You, Just Me
[11:49] 8. Undecided
[ 2:50] 9. I Cover The Waterfront
[ 4:15] 10. Up 'n' Adam

Lester Young: tenor saxophone: Earl Swope: trombone; Bill Potts: piano; Norman Williams: bass; Jim Lucht: drums; Flip Phillips: tenor saxophone; Roy Eldridge: trumpet; Hank Jones: piano; Ray Brown: bass; Max Roach: drums; Oscar Peterson: piano; Herb Ellis: guitar; Ray Brown: bass; J.C. Heard: drums.

Although he'd lived a scant 50 hard years when he died in 1959, tenor sax giant Lester Willis Young was and remains one of the most vital and influential forces in jazz. He used words as singularly as he played, dubbing Billie Holiday "Lady Day"; theirs was an incomparable musical pairing and she returned the favor, calling him "Prez" for president. Prez proved to be the key link between the early jazz of Louis Armstrong and Coleman Hawkins with the bop of the '40s. Among the legions of players influenced by his playing were Stan Getz, Al Cohn and Zoot Sims.

Sides 1-7 in this Centennial Celebration are from a 1956 Washington, DC gig in a relatively intimate setting as Young swings comfortably with musicians mostly a generation younger than himself. His playing is elegant, eloquent and subtle. Inventiveness and brisk pace on "Tea For Two" transform that chestnut while on "I Can't Get Started" he slows down and plays real pretty. For "Oh Lady, Be Good," a standard from his celebrated days with the '30s Count Basie band, he kicks the tempo up, swinging solidly in tandem with trombonist Earl Swope. Throughout he displays the surprising rhythmic and melodic style for which he was famous. On "Just You, Just Me," Prez ebulliently calls out "beautiful" after a particularly sizzling drum solo from Jim Lucht. The last three sides included are from Jazz at the Philharmonic performances and find Young in company with the likes ofOscar Peterson, Roy Eldridge, Herb Ellis and Max Roach, giants all. The closer is Young's own signature tune, "Lester Leaps In," with the blazing heat of his soloing eliciting cheers and whistles from the audience. ~Andrew Velez

Centennial Celebration

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Flip Phillips - Swinging With Flip

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:19
Size: 87,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:06) 1. If I Had You
(3:14) 2. Cottontail
(3:18) 3. Blues For The Midgets
(3:23) 4. What Is This Thing Called Love
(3:01) 5. Singing In The Rain
(2:49) 6. Gina
(3:38) 7. Goodbye
(2:55) 8. Salute To Pres
(3:20) 9. Swedish Pastry
(3:10) 10. Someone To Watch Over Me
(3:01) 11. I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket
(3:16) 12. Trio Boogie

Flip Phillips, who angered some critics early on because he gained riotous applause for his exciting solos during Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts, for over 50 years was an excellent tenor saxophonist equally gifted on stomps, ballads, and standards. He played clarinet regularly in a Brooklyn restaurant during 1934-1939, was in Frankie Newton's group (1940-1941), and spent time in the bands of Benny Goodman, Wingy Manone, and Red Norvo. However, it was in 1944 that he had his breakthrough. As a well-featured soloist with Woody Herman's Herd (1944-1946), Phillips became a big star. His warm tenor was most influenced by Ben Webster but sounded distinctive even at that early stage. He toured regularly with Jazz at the Philharmonic during 1946-1957, scoring a bit of a sensation with his honking solo on "Perdido" and holding his own with heavy competition (including Charlie Parker and Lester Young). He occasionally co-led a group with Bill Harris, and that band was the nucleus of the ensemble that Benny Goodman used in 1959. Phillips then retired to Florida for 15 years, playing on just an occasional basis, taking up the bass clarinet as a double and making only a sporadic record date. But by 1975 he was back in music full-time, making quite a few records and playing at festivals and jazz parties. Even as he passed his 80th birthday, Flip Phillips had lost none of the enthusiasm or ability that he had a half-century earlier. ~ Scott Yanow https://itunes.apple.com/lu/artist/flip-phillips/id121154#fullText

Personnel: Bass – Ray Brown; Drums – Buddy Rich; Guitar – Barney Kessel; Piano – Oscar Peterson; Tenor Saxophone – Flip Phillips; Trumpet – Charlie Shavers

Swinging With Flip

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Flip Phillips - Try A Little Tenderness

Styles: Clarinet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:24
Size: 161,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:32) 1. Try A Little Tenderness
(6:10) 2. A Cottage For Sale
(5:59) 3. Violets For Your Furs
(6:27) 4. Im Glad There Is You
(5:39) 5. You Don't Know What Love Is
(6:15) 6. This Is All I Ask
(4:14) 7. Street Of Dreams
(4:30) 8. All The Way
(4:49) 9. Dream
(4:08) 10. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
(4:38) 11. As Time Goes By
(5:02) 12. Goodbye
(2:35) 13. Jazzspeak
(3:22) 14. If I Had A Penny

A bit of a disappointment, this date matches together veteran tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips with a fine rhythm section (pianist Dick Hyman, Howard Alden or Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, bassist Bob Haggart and drummer Ronnie Traxler) and 13 strings. Phillips sings his own "If I Had a Penny" and doubles a bit on bass clarinet; he plays fine but mostly sticks close to the melodies. The lack of tempo or mood variation in Hyman's ballad arrangements makes this CD better heard in small doses rather than as a whole. The music is pleasing but sometimes bordering on sleepy. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/try-a-little-tenderness-mw0000100100

Personnel: Flip Phillips (vocals, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone); Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar); Stan Kurtis, Anthony Posk, Yuval Waldman, Carmel Malin, Peter Dimitriades, Alvin Rogers , Anahid Ajemian, Regis Iandiorio (violin); Lamar Alsop, Julien Barber (viola); Jesse Levy, Charles McCracken (cello); Dick Hyman (piano); Ron Traxler (drums).

Try A Little Tenderness

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Kenny Davern & Flip Phillips - Spanish Eyes

Styles: Clarinet and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:35
Size: 173,4 MB
Art: Front

( 0:25) 1. Opening Remarks
( 9:27) 2. Elsa's Dream
(10:57) 3. Flip's Dido
(10:31) 4. Spanish Eyes
( 6:35) 5. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm
( 7:57) 6. Royal Garden Blues
(10:42) 7. Miki's Dream
( 6:18) 8. All Of Me
(12:39) 9. Lover Come Back To Me

As Gene Lees makes clear in his notes, there is escape from bebop. There's none of it here, or just a soupcon on one track from Phil Woods, who can't really help it, even if Benny Carter and Johnny Hodges were his earlier influences. But Phillips and Davern are a fine, tough pair and swing happily together despite a twenty-year age difference, a fact that goes to prove something. Certainly, their combination of tenor and clarinet falls agreeably on the ear, just as that of tenor and trombone does. They're caught in action here on a 1995 Floating Jazz Festival, with generally sympathetic backing by Derek Smith, Howard Alden, Milt Hinton and Joe Ascione, although some of Smith's piano solos at up tempo sound spectacularly overcrowded. The well-chosen program includes two attractive Phillips originals, "Flip's Dido" and to match Davern's "Elsa's Dream," an intriguing "Miki's Dream." Mrs. Davern is Elsa, but the identity of Dido and Miki is not revealed. The last and longest track, "Lover, Come Back to Me," on which Woods appears, runs for twelve and a half minutes that many will presumably find climactically exciting. ~ Stanley Dance http://jazztimes.com/articles/7798-spanish-eyes-kenny-davern-flip-phillips

Personnel: Flip Phillips (tenor saxophone); Howard Alden (guitar); Kenny Davern (clarinet); Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Derek Smith (piano); Joe Ascione (drums).

Spanish Eyes

Friday, December 25, 2015

Flip Phillips - A Melody from the Sky

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1984
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:04
Size: 97,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:11) 1. A Melody from the Sky
(2:37) 2. Stompin' at the Savoy
(5:01) 3. Sweet and Lovely
(2:36) 4. Swingin' for Popsie
(3:57) 5. Bob's Belief
(2:47) 6. Why Shouldn't I?
(4:48) 7. Lover Come Back to Me
(3:11) 8. Papilloma
(3:09) 9. Skyscraper
(4:23) 10. 1-2-3-4 Jump
(3:23) 11. More Than You Know
(2:56) 12. Without Woody

This CD is a straight reissue of a Flying Dutchman LP and features all four of tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips' recording sessions as a leader prior to 1949. At the time, he was a key member of Woody Herman & the First Herd, and these performances have short solos from other Herman sidemen (including trombonist Bill Harris and Neal Hefti on trumpet), although Phillips is the main star. His jumping tenor was already quite distinctive, whether on romps or ballads. "Sweet and Lovely" and "Stompin' at the Savoy" are high points of this definitive early Flip Phillips set. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-melody-from-the-sky-mw0000099142

Personnel: Flip Phillips (tenor saxophone); Billy Bauer (guitar); Bill Shine, Aaron Sachs (clarinet); Sam Marowitz (alto saxophone); Mickey Folus , Pete Mondello (tenor saxophone); Sam Rubinwich (baritone saxophone); Neal Hefti (trumpet); Bill Harris (trombone); Tony Aless, Ralph Burns (piano); Margie Hyams (vibraphone); Dave Tough, Shelly Manne (drums).

A Melody from the Sky

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Flip Phillips - Swing Is The Thing!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:03
Size: 162.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[2:18] 1. The Mark Of Zorro (Intro)
[6:05] 2. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
[4:12] 3. Everything I Have Is Yours
[4:59] 4. Where Or When
[3:39] 5. In A Mellow Tone
[3:59] 6. Exactly Like Us
[6:37] 7. Music, Maestro, Please!
[8:28] 8. Swing Is The Thing
[6:28] 9. For All We Know
[5:02] 10. Flip The Whip
[6:51] 11. Susan's Dream
[6:08] 12. This Is All I Ask
[3:26] 13. Grand Rose
[2:45] 14. The Mark Of Zorro (Outro)

Amazingly enough, this is 85-year-old Flip Phillips' first major-label recording as a leader, as well as one of the few albums he's ever released as a leader. You'd have to say that the old man still has plenty of wind in him, because this is a blowing session from start to finish, especially on tracks like "The Mark of Zorro" (versions of which open and close the album), "Where or When," and "Flip the Whip," when Phillips is joined by one or both of two fellow tenor men, James Carter and Joe Lovano. The rest of the time, he sticks with a rhythm section consisting of Howard Alden, Benny Green, Christian McBride, and Kenny Washington, though Duke Ellington's "In a Mellow Tune" is a duet with bassist McBride and "This Is All I Ask" pairs him with guitarist Alden. Alden especially also gets plenty of solo time in on what are really group performances. But that takes nothing away from the spry leader, who can roar on such numbers as the title tune and whisper with a husky tone on slow burners like "For All We Know." His playing is an inspiration. ~William Ruhlmann

Swing Is The Thing!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

The Jay McShann Trio - Hootie!

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:45
Size: 162,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:49) 1. Cruisin' the Blues
(4:06) 2. Moonlight in Vermont
(8:28) 3. Kewpie Doll
(4:24) 4. Yardbird Suite
(4:57) 5. You're Driving Me Crazy/Moten Swing
(6:55) 6. Flippin' the Blues
(5:02) 7. All of Me
(6:22) 8. As Time Goes
(6:17) 9. Sweet Georgia Brown
(3:20) 10. My Chile
(2:43) 11. 'Fore Day Rider
(4:21) 12. Crazy Legs and Friday Strut
(7:52) 13. Moanin' Blues
(1:03) 14. Closing

Like many of producer Hank O'Neal's jazz cruises recorded aboard the S. S. Norway, this live set by pianist Jay McShann is a delight from start to finish. The blues veteran is in great form as he devotes nearly half of the release to his trio, which includes bassist Keter Betts and drummer Jackie Williams, and occasionally lightly sings along. The opener, "Cruisin' the Blues," features McShann's lively yet economical style of playing, along with a fine solo by Betts, while his lush interpretation of the old chestnut "Moonlight in Vermont" achieves a new degree of romanticism. But many fans will devour the appearances with special guests. Phil Woods, the greatest living alto saxophonist, sits in during McShann's sauntering blues "Kewpie Doll" and a rollicking take of Charlie Parker's "Yardbird Suite."

Tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips, in his eighties (as was the leader) at the time of the performance, jointly improvises with McShann the strutting "Flippin' the Blues," and they follow it up with a swinging "All of Me." Phillips' impressive blowing belies his age during the timeless ballad "As Time Goes By" and an energetic "Sweet Georgia Brown." David "Fathead" Newman sits in for two McShann originals, the funky "Crazy Legs and Friday Strut" and the gospel-tinged "Moanin' Blues." Too bad there's no video of this music. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/hootie!-mw0000608939

Personnel: Jay McShann (vocals, piano); Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Flip Phillips, David "Fathead" Newman (tenor saxophone); Keter Betts (bass); Jackie Williams (drums).

Hootie!

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Flip Phillips - Flip Wails: The Best Of The Verve Years

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 72:51

Size: 166.8 MB

Styles: Saxophone jazz, Swing

Year: 1994

Art: Front

[3:03] 1. Znarg Blues

[3:32] 2. Milano

[3:15] 3. Lover, Come Back To Me

[3:30] 4. Don't Take Your Love From Me

[2:37] 5. The Blue Room

[3:49] 6. Flippin' The Blues (A.K.A. Feeling The Blues)

[3:25] 7. Dream A Little Dream Of Me

[3:05] 8. Funky Blues

[3:21] 9. Cheek To Cheek

[2:53] 10. Salute To Pres

[2:58] 11. Singin' In The Rain

[3:03] 12. If I Had You

[3:15] 13. Blues For The Midgets

[3:16] 14. I Didn't Know What Time It Was

[2:42] 15. Three Little Words

[3:15] 16. Singin' The Blues (Till My Daddy Comes Home)

[5:50] 17. The Lady's In Love With You

[3:41] 18. I'll Never Be The Same

[3:59] 19. Music Of A Stripteaser

[8:11] 20. Topsy

Although Flip Phillips was a mainstay of Norman Granz' Jazz At The Philharmonic tours and recordings, Granz seldom put sessions around him, preferring to use him as a core group mainstay. This single-disc collection puts together a variety of performances beginning with a Howard McGhee session from 1947, and traveling throughout the 1950s showing Phillips at his romping best. Highlights include "Three Little Words," "Singing the Blues," a be-bopping "Znarg's Blues" and a stately "If I Had You." Great playing from everyone aboard but Phillips sounds best in the company of Bill Harris on several tracks, and on a Buddy Rich Quartet session that closes out the disc. ~Cub Koda

Flip Wails