The Ruby Braff, George Barney Quartet - To Fred Astaire, With Love

Styles: Trumpet And Guitar Jazz

Year: 1975

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 24:59

Size: 60,1 MB

Art: Front

(2:22)  1. Cheek To Cheek

(3:46)  2. They Can't Take That Away From Me

(2:16)  3. Easter Parade

(2:04)  4. A Shine On Your Shoes

(2:25)  5. I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket

(2:26)  6. They All Laughed

(2:25)  7. Be Careful, It's My Heart

(2:22)  8. I'm Old Fashioned

(2:37)  9. Isn't It A Lovely Day To Be Caught In The Rain?

(2:12) 10. Top Hat, White Tie And Tails

The final recorded collaboration between cornetist Ruby Braff and guitarist George Barnes (in a quartet with rhythm guitarist Wayne Wright and bassist Michael Moore) features concise versions of ten songs (all but one is under three minutes) introduced in the 1930s by Fred Astaire. Although this LP is not essential, the arrangements make the veteran standards (which include "Cheek to Cheek," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "A Shine on Your Shoes" and "They All Laughed") sound fresh and lively. Astaire himself approved of the project. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/to-fred-astaire-with-love-mw0000873193

Personnel: George Barnes (guitar); Ruby Braff (trumpet); Wayne Wright (guitar).

To Fred Astaire, With Love

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Ruby Braff, George Barnes Quartet - Live At The New School

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:24
Size: 181.8 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz
Year: 1974/1994
Art: Front

[5:19] 1. This Can't Be Love
[4:51] 2. With Time For Love
[4:15] 3. There Will Never Be Another You
[3:10] 4. Solitude
[3:55] 5. Struttin' With Some Barbeque
[3:08] 6. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
[4:47] 7. Thou Swell
[4:26] 8. Body And Soul
[4:04] 9. Squeeze Me
[3:56] 10. It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
[2:36] 11. Rockin' In Rhythm
[4:53] 12. Sugar
[4:05] 13. Liza
[3:52] 14. You're A Lucky Guy
[3:10] 15. Don't Blame Me
[2:49] 16. Cheek To Cheek
[4:14] 17. Mean To Me
[2:17] 18. Here There And Everywhere
[4:23] 19. Goose Pimples
[5:03] 20. Nobody Else But You

Bass – Michael Moore; Cornet – Ruby Braff; Lead Guitar – George Barnes; Rhythm Guitar – Wayne Wright. Concert recorded 22 April 1974 in New York City.

This is the best album by far that the Braff/Barnes quartet ever made,which is not to say that their other records are bad, they weren't, but this one is an absolute treasure, made better by including all the music recorded that night, unlike the original LP. Ruby Braff must be the best cornet player in jazz, and George Barnes amongst the best swing guitarists of his time. They play so wonderfully together that it is difficult to single out any tracks as being the best, but my favourite numbers are "There will never be another you","Solitude", "Rockin' in rhythm" ,"Struttin' with some barbecue", and "It don't mean a thing".

But really the whole record is great, with the highest standards of musicianship from both the principals and Michael Moore and Wayne Wright on bass and rhythm guitar. Interestingly, the lack of a drummer doesn't stop the group swinging like crazy! The recording is excellent too, it does a great job in capturing the beautiful tone that both Ruby and George coax from their instruments. This is the most enjoyable jazz album I bought during 2000, and in my opinion the Braff/Barnes quartet was one of the outstanding groups of the seventies. Anyone with an appreciation for good music making cannot fail to be inspired and uplifted by this tasteful, humourous and sublime recording. ~William J. Churchman

Live At The New School

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George Barnes - Guitar Galaxies

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:12
Size: 64.6 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Easy Listening
Year: 1962/2011
Art: Front

[2:18] 1. Tequila
[2:05] 2. Mamá Inés
[2:34] 3. La Paloma
[2:11] 4. When Yuba Plays The Rumba On The Tuba
[2:14] 5. Linda Mujer
[2:07] 6. Bim Bam Boom
[2:39] 7. Ana
[2:52] 8. Orchids In The Moonlight
[2:19] 9. Cumana
[2:28] 10. Lady In Red
[1:58] 11. Cuban Pete
[2:20] 12. Adios

American swing jazz guitarist, born July 17, 1921 - South Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA - died September 5, 1977 - Concord, California, USA. He started his professional career at the age of 12, when he received his musicians' union card, and toured throughout the Midwest. By the time he was 14, he was accompanying blues vocalists such as Big Bill Broonzy and Blind John Davis. On March 1, 1938, he recorded "Sweetheart Land" and "It's a Lowdown Dirty Shame" with Broonzy, the first commercial recordings of an electric guitar. Later in 1938, he was hired as a staff musician for the NBC orchestra, and became a featured performer on the radio shows National Barn Dance and Plantation Party.

Barnes' style took shape before the development of bebop, and he remained a swing stylist throughout his career. His lines were usually short, very melodic, bluesy and "inside" (i.e. diatonic) as compared to the chromaticism and long lines of bop era guitarists. His improvisations often employed call and response phrases, and his tone was clearer, cleaner and brighter than many other jazz guitarists (such as Joe Pass or Jim Hall) and reflected his "happy" approach to music.

Guitar Galaxies

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Louis Armstrong - Louis and the Good Book

Styles: Vocal And Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:34
Size: 144,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:02)  1. Nobody Knows the Trouble I've
(2:46)  2. Shadrack
(3:41)  3. Go Down, Moses
(2:58)  4. Rock My Soul
(2:33)  5. Ezekiel Saw De Wheel
(3:05)  6. On My Way
(3:10)  7. Down by the Riverside
(3:09)  8. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
(3:29)  9. Sometimes I Feel Like a Mother
(2:40) 10. Jonah and the Whale
(2:52) 11. Didn't It Rain
(2:31) 12. This Train
(3:18) 13. Sit Down, You're Rocking the B
(2:59) 14. That's What the Man Said
(2:36) 15. Shadrack
(2:49) 16. Going to Shout All Over God's
(3:12) 17. Nobody Knows the Trouble I've
(2:49) 18. Jonah and the Whale
(4:22) 19. Elder Eatmore's Sermon on Thro
(4:22) 20. Elder Eatmore's Sermon on Gene

An unusual album in the Louis Armstrong canon, this collection of gospel songs, spirituals, homilies, and comic vignettes was the only religious album this determinedly secular musician recorded. Backed by a gospel vocal group led by the celebrated jazz arranger Sy Oliver, Armstrong performs a variety of religious-themed favorites, including "Ezekiel Saw De Wheel," "Going to Shout All Over God's Heaven," and "Didn't it Rain," as well as "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" from Guys And Dolls. 

There's an affecting version of the traditional spiritual "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," and a particular highlight is the inclusion of two comic sermons by the musician's alter ego, Elder Eatmore. http://www.allmusic.com/album/louis-and-the-good-book-mw0000319753

Personnel: Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet); Sy Oliver Choir (vocals); Trummy Young (trombone); Hank D'Amico, Edmond Hall, Dave McRae (clarinet); Billy Kyle (piano); Nickie Tragg, Harry Mills (organ); George Barnes (guitar); Joe Benjamin, Mort Herbert (bass); Johnny Blowers, Barrett Deems (drums).

Louis and the Good Book

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Dinah Washington - I Wanna Be Loved

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:12
Size: 73.7 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1962/2005
Art: Front

[2:42] 1. I Wanna Be Loved
[2:29] 2. Don't Explain
[2:28] 3. Everybody's Somebody's Fool
[3:01] 4. Invitation
[3:28] 5. You're Crying
[2:06] 6. Let's Fall In Love
[2:09] 7. When Your Lover Has Gone
[2:15] 8. A Stranger In Town
[2:44] 9. God Bless The Child
[3:19] 10. Blue Gardenia
[3:22] 11. I Can't Face The Music (Without Singing The Blues)
[2:04] 12. Sometimes I'm Happy

Hal Mooney (arranger) Joe Newman, Clark Terry (trumpet) Ernie Wilkins (trumpet, arranger) Jimmy Cleveland, Kai Winding (trombone) Billy Byers (trombone, arranger) Al Cohn (tenor saxophone, arranger) Patti Bown (piano) George Barnes (guitar) Art Davis (bass) Stu Martin (drums) Dinah Washington (vocals) The Dells (doo wop group) and others unidentified in orchestra, Quincy Jones (conductor). Recorded: in NYC, August 15th 1961 and NYC, September 13th 1961 and Chicago, IL, December 4th 1961.

A torch song date recorded between Dinah Washington's commercial breakthrough in 1959 and her death in 1963, I Wanna Be Loved flaunts a large cast of talented collaborators -- plus, to be sure, Washington's regal readings of 12 great songs -- but, unfortunately, the musical side is overwhelmed by the heavy strings in attendance. Working with Quincy Jones, Washington found her studio cast to include Joe Newman and Clark Terry on trumpet, Jimmy Cleveland and Kai Winding on trombone, and Al Cohn on tenor. However, the arrangements (from Ernie Wilkins and Quincy Jones) rarely leave room for the musicians -- and, in fact, rarely feature them at all -- preferring instead to concentrate on strings and the occasional wordless vocal chorus. As usually happened in these circumstances, Washington appears unfazed by the treacle surrounding her; although she doesn't improvise, her performances of "Blue Gardenia," "Don't Explain," and the title track (originally an R&B hit for her 12 years earlier) are elegant and bewitching. The larger big band makes its presence felt on the two side-closers, both of them ("Let's Fall in Love," "Sometimes I'm Happy") more uptempo material. Although Washington's latter-day Mercury material is often derided, she always succeeded despite her surroundings, and this date is no different. ~John Bush

I Wanna Be Loved

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Various - Swing & Jazz Collection Vol. 1

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:44
Size: 120.7 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Swing
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:29] 1. The George Barnes Quartet - Sweet Georgia Brown
[7:52] 2. Jerry Garcia - Milestones
[3:42] 3. Matt Eakle - Gran's Blues
[2:43] 4. Hal Blaine - Jazz Bop
[3:50] 5. Don Stiernberg - Moonlight In Vermont
[3:59] 6. Martin Taylor - I'm Beginning To See The Light
[2:43] 7. Svend Asmussen - My Blue Heaven
[4:36] 8. Tiny Moore - Back To Back
[2:46] 9. Frank Vignola - Limehouse Blues
[6:23] 10. David Grisman Quintet - Jazzin' With Jazzbeaux
[2:55] 11. Oscar Alemán - Russian Lullaby
[7:40] 12. Stephane Grappelli - Exploration

This first collection of swing & jazz performances from the archives of Acoustic Disc and Acoustic Oasis offers a broad sampling of improvisational styles and the musicians that created them, from Oscar Aleman's classic rendition of "Russian Lullaby" (which inspired Jerry Garcia) to Garcia's own take on Miles Davis' "Milestones."

Other highlights include historic cuts by string-jazz masters Svend Asmussen, Jethro Burns and Tiny Moore and some truly unique tracks - "Exploration I" by violin legend Stephane Grappelli, showcasing his rarely-heard piano mastery and a special guest appearance by the legendary Al "Jazzbo" Collins rapping along with the David Grisman Quintet. If you like swing and jazz, treat yourself to this amazing collection.

Swing & Jazz Collection Vol. 1

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Cootie Williams - Cootie Williams in Hi-Fi

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:09
Size: 152,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:28)  1. Just in Time
(3:17)  2. Summit Ridge Drive
(3:40)  3. Nevertheless, I'm in Love with You
(3:27)  4. On the Street Where You Live
(3:19)  5. I'll See You in My Dreams
(2:54)  6. Contrasts
(3:40)  7. Caravan
(2:37)  8. If I Could Be with You One Hour Tonight
(3:12)  9. Air Mail Special
(3:40) 10. My Old Flame
(3:23) 11. Swingin' Down the Lane
(3:02) 12. New Concerto for Cootie
(2:28) 13. Rinky Dink
(2:28) 14. Please Give Your Love to Me
(2:43) 15. Block Rock
(2:03) 16. Percy Speaks
(2:07) 17. Now That You've Loved Me
(2:29) 18. Blue Sunday
(2:19) 19. Available Lover
(2:21) 20. It's All in Your Mind
(2:34) 21. It Hurts Me
(2:08) 22. Rangoon
(2:39) 23. Boomerang

With the possible exception of cornball trumpeter Clyde McCoy, nobody could impart humanistic sounds to a plunger mute like Cootie Williams. Certainly nobody could make a trumpet growl like he did, full of feral shrieks and blasts and vocal tones galore. As a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra during its heyday, Williams was big enough potatoes that when he left Ellington to join up with Benny Goodman in the early '40s, it prompted a tune titled "When Cootie Left the Duke." No two ways about it, the man could blow. As part of the 100th birthday celebration of all things Ellington, RCA is reissuing all the solo projects done by his famous sidemen. This 12-song album from 1958 appended with 11 more that appeared as singles from the year before shows that Williams' broad style was still mightily intact some 30 years after joining the Ellington fold. Unlike the other Ellington sidemen projects in this series, Williams performs on Cootie Williams in Hi-Fi with a full-blown big band, turning in swinging readings of such chestnuts as "Just in Time," "Summit Ridge Drive," and "My Old Flame." Oddly, these big-band sides don't honor the Duke musically except when Cootie and the band tackle old favorites like "Caravan." 

The non-album tracks are a varied lot. "Rinky Dink" sounds like a Bill Doggett outtake (and features some uncharacteristically bluesy rock & roll guitar from Kenny Burrell!); other tracks skirt the place where blues and R&B meet jazz, at the end of a dark alley. But just listen to that closing blast from Williams on "New Concerto for Cootie," which officially closed the original LP, and you'll know that Cootie Williams remained a Duke man to the end. ~ Cub Koda  http://www.allmusic.com/album/cootie-williams-in-hi-fi-mw0000644877

Personnel: Cootie Williams (trumpet); Romeo Penque, Elwyn Fraser, Phil Bodner, Boomie Richman, Al Klink, Stanley Webb, Nick Caiazza (saxophone); Lou McGarity, Billy Byers, Bobby Byrne, Chauncey Welsch (trombone); Richard Hixon (bass trombone); Hank Jones, Henry Rowland, Lou Stein (piano); Tony Mottola, Barry Galbraith, George Barnes (guitar); Eddie Safranski (acoustic bass); Osie Johnson, Don Lamond (drums).

Cootie Williams in Hi-Fi

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Ruby Braff / George Barnes Quartet - Salutes Rodgers And Hart

Styles: Trumpet And Guitar Jazz
Year: 1975
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:11
Size: 74,0 MB
Art: Front

(1:59)  1. Mountain Greenery
(2:18)  2. Isn't It Romantic
(2:50)  3. The Blue Room
(4:24)  4. There's A Small Hotel
(3:04)  5. Thou Swell
(2:12)  6. I Wish I Were In Love Again
(3:58)  7. Lover
(4:26)  8. You Took Advantage Of Me
(2:44)  9. Spring Is Here
(3:11) 10. The Lady Is A Tramp

For the fourth of five recordings made by the classic Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, ten songs by Rodgers and Hart are given melodic, swinging, creative treatment. Cornetist Braff and guitarist Barnes fed off of each other and worked very well together, while rhythm guitarist Wayne Wright and bassist Michael Moore always gave them impeccable support. Highlights of this enjoyable set include "Isn't It Romantic," "Blue Room," "You Took Advantage of Me" and "The Lady Is a Tramp."~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/plays-rodgers-hart-mw0000201108

Personnel: Ruby Braff (trumpet, cornet); George Barnes, Wayne Wright (guitar).

Salutes Rodgers And Hart

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Joe Venuti & George Barnes - Live At The Concord Summer Festival

Styles: Jazz, Swing
Year: 1976
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:53
Size: 115,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:57)  1. Sweet Georgia Brown
(8:30)  2. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
(4:23)  3. Too Close For Comfort
(3:13)  4. I Can't Get Started
(5:05)  5. Satin Doll
(2:51)  6. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
(5:40)  7. Take The A Train
(2:33)  8. Sophisticated Lady
(5:38)  9. C Jam Blues

Violinist Joe Venuti and guitarist George Barnes (joined by pianist Ross Tompkins, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jake Hanna) make for a very complementary team on this live session. Tompkins is featured on "Too Close for Comfort," Barnes is showcased on "I Can't Get Started," the ensemble romps on "Sweet Georgia Brown" and the full group plays a lengthy five-song Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn medley. Few surprises occur but there are enough fireworks to justify this album's acquisition, even by those who already own 20 Joe Venuti albums. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/venuti-barnes-live-at-the-concord-summer-festival-mw0000877180

Personnel:  Joe Venuti – violin; George Barnes – guitar; Ross Tompkins – piano; Ray Brown – bass; Jake Hanna - drums

Live At The Concord Summer Festival

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George Barnes - Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:13
Size: 127,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:08)  1. Fascinatin' Rhythm
(4:26)  2. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
(2:42)  3. Pick Yourself Up
(6:48)  4. Moonglow
(4:07)  5. Perdido
(4:08)  6. I Can't Get Started
(3:29)  7. Blues Goin' Up
(0:40)  8. Introductions
(2:54)  9. Why Was I Born?
(5:29) 10. When Sunny Gets Blue
(3:52) 11. Sweet Georgia Brown
(3:26) 12. Cheerful Little Earful
(3:07) 13. Theme From The Flinstones
(3:26) 14. I May Be Wrong
(4:24) 15. Three Little Words

George Barnes has been unjustly overlooked by fans of jazz guitar, since he spent a good portion of his career as a studio musician, but the initial appearance in 2003 of this previously unreleased 1977 concert (recorded just a few months prior to his death) adds an important final chapter to his recorded legacy. 

Barnes leads his brand new quartet (with fellow guitarist Duncan James, bassist Dean Reilly, and drummer Benny Barth) through a delightful program of standards ("Sweet Georgia Brown," "Moonglow," and "Why Was I Born?"), gems from the vast Duke Ellington band book ("Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "Perdido"), as well as the popular "Theme From the Flintstones." Barnes' fluid playing and that of his group make them sound as if they had been together far longer. The excellent sound by engineer Larry Cummings is identical to the mix heard by the audience that very evening. The warm, detailed liner notes by Barnes' daughter, Alexandra Barnes Leh, add a nice touch to this highly recommended release. ~ Ken Dryden  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/dont-get-around-much-anymore-mw0000019616

Personnel: George Barnes, Duncan James (electric guitar); Dean Reilly (bass); Benny Barth (drums).

Don't Get Around Much Anymore

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