George Freeman - The Good Life

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:55
Size: 116,9 MB
Art: Front

(11:05) 1. If I Had You
( 7:39) 2. Mr. D
( 6:03) 3. Up and Down
( 5:53) 4. Lowe Groovin'
( 3:56) 5. 1, 2, 3, 4
( 9:47) 6. Sister Tankersley
( 6:30) 7. The Good Life

For guitarist George Freeman, The Good Life has also been a long life. He was a nimble-fingered ninety-five-year-old plectrist when this splendid album was recorded in May and June 2022, which makes it all the more grievous to know it would be organ maestro Joey DeFrancesco's last recording date; he died of a heart attack some three months later at the relatively young age of fifty-one.

Freeman leads two trios here, the first with DeFrancesco on organ and Lewis Nash on drums (tracks 1-3), the second with Christian McBride on bass and Carl Allen on drums. Freeman plays a smooth and mellow guitar, using well-shaped single-note runs to underline his candid and always engaging point of view. DeFrancesco, meanwhile, is his usual incredibly animated and fleet-fingered self, lending ardor and intensity to what is already an admirable session. Nash is a remarkably astute and steady timekeeper, as is Allen. When McBride takes over for DeFrancesco, on the fourth track, there is a perceptible difference in modulation but none in musicianship. The beat simply goes on.

Freeman, DeFrancesco & Nash open with a soft and soulful reading of the standard "If I Had You," maintain that posture on the shuffling blues "Mr. D," and close with the album's lone flag-waver, "Up and Down," on which Nash and DeFrancesco brandish their superior chops while Freeman keeps pace in his more laid-back manner. "Lowe Groovin,'" which introduces the second trio, is relaxed and meditative, unlike the buoyant "1, 2, 3, 4," which follows. "Sister Tankersley" is another pensive anthem, as is "The Good Life," which closes the session. Allen is unassuming yet steady as a rock, while McBride's deep-toned bass is outstanding whether soloing or comping.

Although this album could have benefited from more up-tempo moments, that is a small complaint, as everything on offer is exemplary. So, four stars for all-around excellence, plus an unreserved recommendation. By Jack Bowers
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-good-life-george-freeman-highnote-records

Personnel: George Freeman - Guitar; Joey DeFrancesco: organ, Hammond B3; Christian McBride: bass; Lewis Nash: drums; Carl Allen: drums.

The Good Life

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George Freeman - Man & Woman

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:24
Size: 99,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:12)  1. Till There Was You
(5:59)  2. You've Changed
(4:37)  3. I Ain't Got Nobody
(5:04)  4. Groovy Lady
(5:13)  5. Funny How Time Slips
(6:49)  6. Squeeze Me
(4:06)  7. Stardust
(6:19)  8. Georgia on My Mind

While Man & Woman embraces a mellower approach than guitarist George Freeman's other Groove Merchant dates, it's by no means the late-night boudoir record its erotic cover suggests the stripped-down, nuanced sound instead adheres to a relatively straightforward soul-jazz formula, more focused and earthbound in its orientation than the average Freeman session. Teaming here with pianists Harold Mabern and Kenny Barron, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Buddy Williams, the guitarist embraces the change of pace, settling comfortably into the music's slow, slinky grooves not only are his solos as imaginative as before, but they also boast a rippling sensuality otherwise absent from his previous records. ~ Jason Ankeny  http://www.allmusic.com/album/man-woman-mw0001213579

Personnel: George Freeman – guitar;  Harold Mabern - piano, electric piano;  Kenny Barron - electric piano;  Bob Cranshaw – bass;  Buddy Williams - drums

Man & Woman

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Gene Ammons - Gene Ammons Swinging the Jugg

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1976
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:18
Size: 74,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:17)  1. Swinging the Jugg
(5:44)  2. Round Midnight
(5:23)  3. Look of Love
(5:42)  4. Lover Man
(4:34)  5. Just the Blues
(6:35)  6. Confessing the Blues

Gene Ammons, who had a huge and immediately recognizable tone on tenor, was a very flexible player who could play bebop with the best (always battling his friend Sonny Stitt to a tie) yet was an influence on the R&B world. Some of his ballad renditions became hits and, despite two unfortunate interruptions in his career, Ammons remained a popular attraction for 25 years. Son of the great boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons (who was nicknamed "Jug") left Chicago at age 18 to work with King Kolax's band. He originally came to fame as a key soloist with Billy Eckstine's orchestra during 1944-1947, trading off with Dexter Gordon on the famous Eckstine record Blowing the Blues Away. 

Other than a notable stint with Woody Herman's Third Herd in 1949 and an attempt at co-leading a two tenor group in the early '50s with Sonny Stitt, Ammons worked as a single throughout his career, recording frequently (most notably for Prestige) in settings ranging from quartets and organ combos to all-star jam sessions. Drug problems kept him in prison during much of 1958-1960 and, due to a particularly stiff sentence, 1962-1969. When Ammons returned to the scene in 1969, he opened up his style a bit, including some of the emotional cries of the avant-garde while utilizing funky rhythm sections, but he was still able to battle Sonny Stitt on his own terms. Ironically the last song that he ever recorded (just a short time before he was diagnosed with terminal cancer) was "Goodbye."~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gene-ammons-mn0000160198/biography
 

Personnel: Tenor Saxophone – Gene Ammons; Drums  – Bob Guthrie; Guitar  – George Freeman; Organ  – Bob Pierce

Gene Ammons Swinging the Jugg

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Richard "Groove" Holmes - Welcome Home

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1969
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:16
Size: 80,7 MB
Art: Front

(7:20)  1. Groovin' Time
(5:09)  2. Oklahoma Toad
(4:56)  3. Upward Bound
(5:26)  4. The Madison Time
(2:44)  5. The Odd Couple
(2:48)  6. I'm In The Mood For Love
(3:24)  7. 98.6 - Lazy Day
(2:24)  8. Sunday Mornin'

Groovy set of soul jazz organ tracks that has Groove playing with a large-ish group that includes George Freeman, Tom Scott, Anthony Ortega, Wilton Felder, and Paul Humphrey. The set's not totally hard and funky, but it's got a nice soulful swinging groove, with a tight LA 60s sound to it. Includes a nice version of "Madison Time", plus "Groovin Time", "Oklahoma Toad", "Upward Bound", and "The Odd Couple". (Cover has unglued seams and a torn corner in the front panel.)  © 1996-2018, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/17477/Richard-Groove-Holmes:Welcome-Home

Personnel:  Richard "Groove" Holmes - organ;  Chuck Findley - trumpet;  Anthony Ortega, Tom Scott - alto saxophone;  Teddy Edwards - tenor saxophone;  Wilton Felder - baritone saxophone, electric bass;  Joe Sample - piano;  George Freeman, Michael Anthony - guitar;  Paul Humphrey - drums

Welcome Home

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Jimmy McGriff & Groove Holmes - Giants of the Organ Come Together

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1973
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:08
Size: 95,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:59)  1. Licks A' Plenty
(8:33)  2. Out of Nowhere
(5:24)  3. The Squirrel
(6:18)  4. Finger Lickin' Good
(7:03)  5. How High the Moon
(6:48)  6. Things Ain't What They Used to Be

Twin organs back to back and a heck of a hard-wailing set from Groove Holmes and Jimmy McGriff! The album cooks from the very first note and features long tunes that open up with the same sort of solo-heavy approach that you'd get on Holmes' Prestige albums of the 60s very stretched out, in a way that offers the keyboardists no cover at all, and forces them to keep thinking on their feet to come up with great notes! 

Bernard Purdie plays some nicely tight drums on the set, and guitar is by George Freeman and O'Donel Levy both of whom add some nice superdope touches to the set! A winner all the way through, with great solos and titles that include "Licks A Plenty", "The Squirrel", and "Finger Lickin' Good". © 1996-2017, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/6135/Jimmy-McGriff-Richard-Groove-Holmes:Giants-Of-The-Organ-Come-Together

Personnel:  Organ – Jimmy McGriff,  Richard 'Groove' Holmes;  Congas – Kwasi Jayourba;  Drums – Bernard Purdie;  Guitar – George Freeman, O'Donel Levy

Giants of the Organ Come Together

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George Freeman - 90 Going On Amazing

Size: 148,1 MB
Time: 63:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Summer Wind (5:57)
02. That's It (5:57)
03. Hit It (3:37)
04. Trees (5:02)
05. Steppin' With George (6:07)
06. Bruz, George, Chico & Von (4:42)
07. That's All (6:38)
08. Contaminated (6:09)
09. You Are Mine All Mine (5:04)
10. Mike's Tempo (7:20)
11. The Bottom (7:10)

George Freeman has long been a homebody. Early on he made his mark on stage and/or in the studio with the best of the best saxophone lodestars Lester Young and Charlie Parker, to mention just two as they came through his hometown, Chicago. Touring did eventually figure into his career he hit the road with soulful heavies Gene Ammons and Shirley Scott in the '50s but he essentially gave up the travelling life about six decades ago. Since that time he's become a fixture in the Windy City, a Midwestern musical treasure acknowledged throughout the region yet seldom saluted as he should be elsewhere. Now, that recognition will hopefully come his way. Freeman made a decent blip on the national radar with All In The Family (Southport Records, 2015), co-leading that session with his better-known nephew Chico Freeman; he attained nonagenarian status back in April of 2017; and this long-shelved date, recorded in 2005, is now hitting the marketplace.

The thing that's most striking about this record, and perhaps most important when it comes to discussing George Freeman's sonic identity, is tone. He presents every idea with a bright and rounded sound, direct as can possibly be. His power of sustain is pure perfection, as single notes hang over the harmonies below with just the slightest taper, and his repetitive, one-note flutters come off like a beautiful gathering of lightning bugs, not a buzzing swarm of bees. His ideas almost seem to run second to his sound, and that's just fine. With a sound like that, who would want to draw focus away?

Originals dominate here, with only three covers showing up on the playlist, and most of the material is fairly easygoing in nature. Numbers like "That's It," "Steppin' With George," and "Contaminated" speak to the blues-soaked world in which Freeman has always thrived; "Trees" and "That's All" offer opportunities to bask in the glow of the guitarist's ballad playing; "Bruz, George, Chico & Von" speaks to blood, giving pianist Vince Willis a chance to step to the microphone and add laudatory vocals honoring Freeman's musical family; and "Mike's Tempo" brings sunny and slinky qualities to the fore. In every case, Freeman sits in the driver's seat and Willis is right there to give him what he needs. There's a no-frills quality behind what bassist Jack Zara and drummer Kevin Patrick bring to the table—their contributions are fairly bland, to be honest but they're not the ones who need to carry the date. Those two sidemen get through without fanfare, leaving the spotlight right on the leader.

Freeman won't wow you with virtuosity, there's absolutely nothing forward-looking to be found here, and the final mix could've been a bit better. But none of that really matters in the grand scheme of this recording and this musician's history. 90 Going On Amazing a bit of a misnomer in a way, since Freeman was 78 when it was recorded is about a man's ability to tell a story with his guitar, plain and simple. It's hard not to appreciate what George Freeman has to offer in that respect. ~Dan Bilawsky

Personnel: George Freeman: guitar; Vince Willis: piano, vocals (6); Jack Zara: bass; Kevin Patrick: drums

90 Going On Amazing                 

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Gene Ammons - Legends Of Acid Jazz

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:54
Size: 172,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:36)  1. The Black Cat
(4:31)  2. Long Long Time
(7:49)  3. Piece To Keep Away Evil Spirits
(8:10)  4. Jug Eyes
(3:20)  5. Something
(5:09)  6. Hi Ruth!
(6:05)  7. You Talk That Talk
(4:21)  8. Body And Soul
(7:01)  9. The People's Choice
(6:49) 10. Katea's Dance
(4:43) 11. The Sun Died
(5:03) 12. Out Of It
(3:11) 13. I Can't Stop Loving You
(2:59) 14. My Babe

As is often the case in this CD reissue series, the music has little to do with acid jazz, but it does feature a few organists. Tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons is heard on music that formerly comprised two complete LPs from 1970-1971 (The Black Cat and As You Talk That Talk), plus a pair of titles from a 1962 date only previously out on a sampler. The Black Cat is an interesting if erratic set that finds Ammons (along with guitarist George Freeman, Harold Mabern on electric piano, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Idris Muhammad) playing everything from the pop tune "Long Long Time" and George Harrison's "Something" (both of those tunes have unimaginative strings) to "Jug Eyes" and the boppish blues "Hi Ruth." As You Talk That Talk is a reunion with fellow tenor Sonny Stitt (they are joined by Freeman, Muhammad, and organist Leon Spencer), but it has a major problem. Stitt uses the electrified Varitone saxophone throughout the date, and his horn sounds even stranger than on his other Varitone dates, like a cross between an electric guitar and a dated keyboard; very eerie and odd. Ammons plays well enough (including on two throwaway numbers from 1962 with organist Don Patterson, guitarist Paul Weeden, and drummer Billy James), but overall, the music on this CD is dated and very much of the period. There are many more rewarding Gene Ammons reissues currently available.~Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/legends-of-acid-jazz-gene-ammons-mw0000025728

Personnel: Gene Ammons (tenor saxophone); Bill Fischer (conductor); Sonny Stitt (tenor saxophone); Harold Mabern (acoustic & electric pianos); Leon Spencer, Dan Patterson (organ); George Freeman, Paul Weeden (guitar); Ron Carter (bass); Idris Muhammad, Billy James (drums).

Legends Of Acid Jazz

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George Freeman & Chico Freeman - All In The Family

Size: 185,8 MB
Time: 78:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Dark Blue (George Freeman) (5:47)
02. Interlude V-2 (Chico Freeman) (0:47)
03. Latina Bonita (George Freeman) (5:29)
04. Interlude V-6 (Chico Freeman) (1:08)
05. My Scenery (George Freeman) (4:21)
06. Interlude V-9 (Chico Freeman) (0:47)
07. Five Days In May (Chico Freeman) (4:04)
08. Vonski (George Freeman) (6:15)
09. Interlude V-8 (Chico Freeman) (1:43)
10. Inner Orchestrations (Chico Freeman) (6:43)
11. Percussion Song Two (Reto Weber) (1:00)
12. Chico (George Freeman) (7:54)
13. Interlude V-5 (George Freeman) (1:40)
14. What's In Between (Chico Freeman) (7:46)
15. Essence Of Silence (George Freeman) (7:54)
16. Interlude V-4 (Chico Freeman) (1:24)
17. A Distinction Without A Difference (Chico Freeman) (4:43)
18. Interlude V-10 (George Freeman) (1:31)
19. Angel Eyes (Chico Freeman) (3:45)
20. Percussion Song One (Reto Weber) (0:28)
21. Marko (George Freeman) (2:35)
22. Chico & George Introductions (George Freeman) (1:01)

"All In The Family" brings together two members of Chicago's Freeman family that have never been recorded together until now: legendary guitarist George Freeman (who celebrated his 88th birthday on April 10th, 2015) and world-renowned saxophonist Chico Freeman (George's nephew and Von Freeman's son.) The musical legacy of Chicago's Freeman Family continues on with "All in the Family." Certainly, the late, great leader of the family, tenor saxophonist Von Freeman is smiling somewhere today!

All of the tracks are original songs (with the exception of the haunting "Angel Eyes") and feature compositions from George Freeman "My Scenery" & "Vonski"; and from Chico Freeman "Latina Bonita" & "Essence of Silence"; along with several short Improvisations, that provide a compelling flow to the recording. "Five Days in May" features percussionist Reto Weber on the 'hang' - a track that should have everyone up and dancing with joy!

A lifetime of music, from playing with Charlie Parker to Gene Ammons and his many fine recordings, George Freeman was recently selected as Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz by Tribune Arts Critic Howard Reich! Chico Freeman's career has taken him from his early years with Chicago's AACM to Earth, Wind and Fire to performing and recording with legendary musicians in New York, including Elvin Jones, to today's International Jazz Festivals.

Musicians featured on the recording are: Kirk Brown, piano; Harrison Bankhead, bass; Hamid Drake, drums; Mike Allemana, guitar; Joe Jenkins, drums; and special guest Reto Weber, hang and percussion.

Recorded in September of 2014 at Sparrow Sound Design Recording Studio, Chicago. Produced by Joanie Pallatto & Bradley Parker-Sparrow. Recording Engineer is Todd A. Carter. Mastered by Joanie & Sparrow. Liner Notes by Neil Tesser. Graphic Design by Al Brandtner.

All In The Family

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George Freeman - George Burns!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:52
Size: 143.9 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[4:03] 1. It's Cha Time!
[5:27] 2. Hot Box
[4:15] 3. And She Left Me
[4:58] 4. Vonski
[4:57] 5. You Are My First Love
[5:54] 6. George Burns!
[5:47] 7. Here's Bruz
[5:23] 8. Swinging Shepherd Blues
[4:35] 9. Once In A While
[4:18] 10. Hen Pie
[4:31] 11. Satin Doll
[4:14] 12. Tee-Hee
[4:24] 13. Messy

Guitarist George Freeman has long been in the shadow of his brother, tenor saxophonist Von Freeman and his nephew, saxophonist Chico Freeman. The guitarist does a fine job of generating excitement on this well-rounded and varied set, which ranges from heated blues to soul-jazz. Most of the selections feature Freeman in a quartet with pianist Lou Gregory, drummer Phil Thomas, and veteran bassist Eldee Young (who was with the Ramsey Lewis Trio in the 1960s). Brother Von sits in on "Vonski," Ron Cooper adds a so-so vocal to "And She Left Me," and the one-time vocal team of Cooper and Joanie Pallatto sound like a somewhat demented (and oddly successful) version of Jackie & Roy on "Here's Bruz." But most of the focus is on the leader, and George Freeman plays in prime form throughout. ~Scott Yanow

George Burns!

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