Hank Crawford - Essential Jazz Masters

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2011
Time: 108:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 250,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:47) 1. Whispering Grass
(5:34) 2. Misty
(6:34) 3. Angel Eyes
(3:09) 4. The Peeper
(5:09) 5. What Will I Tell My Heart?
(3:58) 6. Stardust
(2:43) 7. Groovin'
(3:53) 8. Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand
(3:20) 9. You've Changed
(5:04) 10. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
(4:53) 11. Dat Dere
(5:03) 12. But On The Other Hand
(4:22) 13. Don't Cry, Baby
(6:41) 14. Boo's Tune
(3:40) 15. Sweet Cakes
(3:17) 16. Read 'Em And Weep
(4:39) 17. Sherri
(3:31) 18. Please Send Me Someone To Love
(5:38) 19. Lorelei's Lament
(5:44) 20. Stoney Lonesome
(4:36) 21. Sister Sadie
(4:28) 22. Two Years Of Torture
(4:43) 23. The Story
(5:09) 24. Four, Five, Six

Hank Crawford was an alto sax sensation since he stepped out of the Ray Charles band back in 1963. A signature piercing, full bodied, blues, soul, and gospel drenched tone, sets him apart from the alto pack. He has an instantly recognizable voice, and his excellent choice of material suits his style perfectly. He is a bluesman turned preacher on the sax, and the sermon is always on time.

Bennie Ross Crawford Jr. was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 21, 1934, began formal piano studies at age nine and was soon playing for his church choir. His father had brought an alto saxophone home from the service and when Hank entered high school, he took it up in order to join the band. He credits Charlie Parker, Louis Jordan, Earl Bostic and Johnny Hodges as early influences.

At school, he hung out with Phineas and Calvin Newborn, Booker Little, George Coleman, Frank Stozier and Harold Mabern all of whom would go on to become important jazz figures. "We had a pretty good education just by being around each other," Crawford says now.

Before he had finished high school, Hank was playing in bands led by Ben Branch, Tuff Green, Al Jackson, Sr. and Ike Turner. They were frequently called upon to back such up-and-coming blues singers as B. B. King, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Johnny Ace and Roscoe Gordon and the Palace Theatre, the Club Paradise and other Memphis venues.
More......https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/hank-crawford/

Essential Jazz Masters

---

Hank Crawford - Misty - The Soulful Sound Of Hank Crawford

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:09
Size: 87,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:34)  1. Misty
(6:36)  2. Angel Eyes
(5:10)  3. Four Five Six
(4:44)  4. The Story
(4:56)  5. Dat Dere
(6:43)  6. Boo's Tune
(4:23)  7. Sister Sadie

Hank Crawford was an alto sax sensation since he stepped out of the Ray Charles band back in 1963. A signature piercing, full bodied, blues, soul, and gospel drenched tone, sets him apart from the alto pack. He has an instantly recognizable voice, and his excellent choice of material suits his style perfectly. He is a bluesman turned preacher on the sax, and the sermon is always on time. Bennie Ross Crawford Jr. was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 21, 1934, began formal piano studies at age nine and was soon playing for his church choir. His father had brought an alto saxophone home from the service and when Hank entered high school, he took it up in order to join the band. He credits Charlie Parker, Louis Jordan, Earl Bostic and Johnny Hodges as early influences. At school, he hung out with Phineas and Calvin Newborn, Booker Little, George Coleman, Frank Stozier and Harold Mabern all of whom would go on to become important jazz figures. “We had a pretty good education just by being around each other,” Crawford says now. Before he had finished high school, Hank was playing in bands led by Ben Branch, Tuff Green, Al Jackson, Sr. and Ike Turner. They were frequently called upon to back such up-and-coming blues singers as B. B. King, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Johnny Ace and Roscoe Gordon and the Palace Theatre, the Club Paradise and other Memphis venues. In 1953, Crawford went away to Tennessee State College in Nashville where he developed his arranging skills as a leader of the school dance band, which included vocalist Leon Thomas. During the evening, he led a quartet called Little Hank and the Rhythm Kings. Discovered one night at the Subway Lounge by country producer Roy Hall, the group cut “The House of Pink Lights” and “Christine” for a local label with Crawford as featured vocalist. His big break came in 1958 when Ray Charles passed through Nashville. Baritone saxophonist Leroy “Hog” Cooper had just left the band, and Charles offered Crawford the baritone chair. “I learned a lot about discipline and phrasing from Ray,” Crawford says. “He would keep me up a lot of nights and dictate arrangements to me. I learned how to voice and get that soulful sound. I think I kinda had it before, but being around him just helped that much more.”

“Sherry”, Hank's first composition and arrangement for the Charles septet, was recorded for the Ray Charles At Newport album shortly after he joined the band. He also contributed three tunes and six arrangements to Fathead Newman's debut albums later in 1958. Two years later, Charles expanded to full big band size and appointed Crawford musical director. (Crawford also switched to alto around this time.) When Crawford left Ray Charles in 1963 to form his own septet, he had already established himself with several albums for Atlantic. From 1960 until 1970, he recorded twelve LPs for the label, many while balancing his earlier duties as Ray’s director. He released such pre-crossover hits as “Misty”, “The Pepper”, “Skunky Green”, and “Whispering Grass”. After signing with Creed Taylor's Kudo label in 1971, he cut one album a year over the next eight years. At Kudu, Crawford wasn't allowed to write his own charts and was instead handed lavish arrangements in the then- fashionable CTI crossover mold. He still managed to come out with consistently quality work. Crawford returned to classic form upon signing with Milestone Records in 1982, playing alto saxophone and often writing in the soulful manner that first made him famous. Some of his albums for the company  Midnight Ramble, (’82) Indigo Blue, (’83) Roadhouse Symphony, (’85) Night Beat, (’88) Groove Master, (’90) and South-Central. (’92). In 1986, the saxophonist began working with blues-jazz organ master Jimmy McGriff. These are soul jazz played the way it should be, like going to school, it doesn’t get any better. They recorded four co-leader dates for Milestone Soul Survivors, (’86) Steppin’ Up, (’87) On the Blue Side, (’89) and Road Tested, (’97) this duo also performed numerous club dates and concert dates in the U. S. The new century found Hank Crawford, shifting gears and going for a more mainstream jazz set in his 2000 release “The World of Hank Crawford.” Though the songs are compositions from jazz masters as Ellington and Tadd Dameron, he delivers in that sanctified church sound that is his trademark. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/hankcrawford

Misty - The Soulful Sound Of Hank Crawford

---

Hank Crawford - Indigo Blue

Styles: Saxophone, Piano Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:55
Size: 81,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:26)  1. All Alone And Blue
(5:31)  2. The Very Thought Of You
(5:22)  3. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
(6:08)  4. Funny
(6:31)  5. Indigo Blue
(4:55)  6. Just For A Thrill

Hank Crawford's Indigo Blue was released in August of 1983, less than a year after his excellent comeback set, Midnight Ramble, and proves that his renewed sense of creativity was no fluke. Here he teams once more with Dr. John on piano and organ and drummer Bernard Purdie. Melvin Sparks took over the guitar chair from Calvin Newborn, and Wilber Bascombe, Jr. holds down the rhythm section on bass. In addition, a horn section that includes David "Fathead" Newman, Danny Moore, Howard Johnson, and Martin Banks, arranged by Crawford, follows the same recipe as Midnight Ramble. The performances here are solid, truly impressive. Crawford plays sweet and slow as well as honking mean in getting at the root source of straight-ahead jazz and soul-jazz: the blues. And speaking of blues, the opener, "All Alone and Blue," is a barrelhouse of nasty guitar and organ work with Crawford's alto walking the bar while playing a mean solo. It's quite a changeup to open a set with but the only other thing you could do is close with it. This is followed by a gorgeous reading of Ray Noble's "The Very Thought of You," all slow, deep, and refined with only Crawford's alto allowed to bring in the edges. But there are more surprises as Crawford and band tackle Willie Nelson's "Funny" and reveal both the blues and jazz roots in the tune. 

The swing between Dr. John and Sparks in the title track is truly canny, and Crawford's response in blowing shows it. This one is in the cut, and the groove is everywhere. The bittersweet ballad "Just for a Thrill" ends the set, with some of the sweetest and most lyrical piano and alto playing either man had done on a record until that time. Indigo Blue is a winner; it's hungry and elegant, sophisticated and swaggering. It's a trademark recording by Hank Crawford. ~ Thom Jurek https://www.allmusic.com/album/indigo-blue-mw0000187873

Personnel: Hank Crawford - alto saxophone, electric piano, arranger, conductor; Dr. John - piano, organ; Melvin Sparks - guitar; Wilbur Bascomb - bass;  Bernard Purdie - drums;  David "Fathead" Newman - tenor saxophone;  Howard Johnson - baritone saxophone; Martin Banks - trumpet; Danny Moore - trumpet.

Indigo Blue

---

Hank Crawford - Mr. Blues Plays Lady Soul

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:46
Size: 84.2 MB
Styles: Jazz/Funk/Soul
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[2:37] 1. Groovin'
[3:34] 2. I Can't See Myself Leaving You
[3:26] 3. Never Let Me Go
[3:38] 4. Baby, I Love You
[3:11] 5. Lady Soul
[3:32] 6. Soul Serenade
[3:54] 7. Ain't No Way
[2:13] 8. Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)
[3:12] 9. Take A Look
[7:24] 10. Going Down Slow

Alto Saxophone – Frank Wess, Hank Crawford; Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams; Bass – Charles Rainey, Jerry Jemmott; , Ron Carter; Drums – Bernard Purdie; Guitar – Eric Gale; Organ, Piano – Paul Griffin; Tenor Saxophone – Seldon Powell; Tenor Saxophone, Flute – David Newman; Trombone – Benny Powell, Jimmy Cleveland; Trumpet – Bernie Glow, Ernie Royal, Snookie Young, Joe Newman.

With an unmistakable blues wail, full of emotion and poignancy, altoist Hank Crawford bridges the gap between that tradition and that of jazz more completely than any other living horn player. Born in Memphis, Crawford was steeped in the blues tradition from an early age. He began playing piano but switched to alto when his father brought one home from the army. He claims his early influences as Louis Jordan, Earl Bostic, and Johnny Hodges. Crawford hung out with Phineas Newborn, Jr., Booker Little, and George Coleman in high school. Upon graduating, Crawford played in bands fronted by Ike Turner, B.B. King, Junior Parker, and Bobby "Blue" Bland at Memphis' Palace Theater and Club Paradise. In 1958 Crawford went to college in Nashville where he met Ray Charles. Charles hired Crawford originally as a baritone saxophonist. Crawford switched to alto in 1959 and remained with Charles' band -- becoming its musical director -- until 1963. The phrasing and voicings he learned there proved invaluable to him as the hallmark of his own sound. He also wrote and arranged a tune for Charles. The cut, "Sherry," his first for the band, was put on the Live at Newport album. Crawford cut a slew solo albums for Atlantic while with the band, and when he formed his group, he remained with the label until 1970. He signed with Creed Taylor's Kudu in 1971 and cut a series of fusion-y groove jazz dates through 1982. In 1983 he moved to Milestone and returned to form as a premier arranger, soloist, and composer, writing for small bands -- that included guitarist Melvin Sparks, organist Jimmy McGriff, and Dr. John -- as well as large. Crawford has been constantly active since then, as a leader and sideman, recording the best music of his long career. ~ Thom Jurek

Mr. Blues Plays Lady Soul mc
Mr. Blues Plays Lady Soul zippy

---

Hank Crawford, Calvin Newborne - Centerpiece

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:56
Size: 89.1 MB
Styles: Bop, Soul-jazz
Year: 1980/2007
Art: Front

[5:11] 1. Centerpiece
[9:36] 2. Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You
[3:55] 3. Breezin’
[5:40] 4. I Had A Dream
[7:23] 5. I Can’t Stand It
[7:08] 6. Frame For The Blues

Bass [Electric] – Charles "Flip" Greene; Drums – Billy Kaye; Electric Piano [Rhodes], Saxophone [Alto] – Hank Crawford; Guitar [Electric] – Calvin Newborne; Percussion – Errol "Crusher" Bennett; Saxophone [Baritone] – Howard Johnson; Saxophone [Tenor] – Alex Foster; Trombone – Janice Robinson; Trumpet – Joseph J. Shepley, Michael Lawrence; Vibraphone – Warren Chiasson.

This little-known Hank Crawford LP was a transitional record between his long associations with Kudu and Milestone. More straightahead than his Kudu dates, the program is highlighted by the Harry "Sweets" Edison blues "Centerpiece," "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You" and Slide Hampton's "Frame for the Blues." In addition to Crawford (who splits his time between his soulful alto and a Fender Rhodes electric piano), guitarist Calvin Newborne (the brother of pianist Phineas) has plenty of solo space. Crawford provided the arrangements for a five-piece horn section and the results are soulful and pleasing. ~Scott Yanow

Centerpiece mc
Centerpiece zippy

---

Hank Crawford - Midnight Ramble

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:30
Size: 96,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:09)  1. Midnight Ramble
(5:35)  2. Forever Mine
(5:55)  3. Theme For Basie
(5:57)  4. Mister C
(5:09)  5. Street Of Dreams
(4:50)  6. Next Time You See Me
(5:52)  7. Deep River

Midnight Ramble, released in 1983 on Milestone, was saxophonist Hank Crawford's return to recording after a four-year break following his departure from Kudu. It was the beginning of a decades-long relationship with the prestigious jazz label. Crawford, a veteran of Ray Charles, had long been associated with soul-jazz groove-oriented music. On this date, he delivers a solid, straight-ahead session with some notable surprises. 

The first is that he plays not only his trademark alto saxophone, but also electric piano. Next is his rhythm section: Dr. John on piano and organ, Charles "Flip" Greene on bass, guitarist Calvin Newborn (brother of Phineas), and stone-cold soul-jazz drummer Bernard Purdie. But that isn't all. Crawford also includes five other horns: two trumpets, trombone, bass saxophone, and David "Fathead" Newman on tenor. Needless to say, Crawford's idea of "straight-ahead" still contains plenty, plenty soul. The program is solid, top to bottom; it's amiable, relaxed, and deeply rooted in the blues. Phineas Newborn's "Theme for Basie" and the saxophonist's own composition of the title track are highlights, as is the gospel-oriented blues of "Deep River," with Dr. John's piano leading the band. Among his better offerings, Midnight Ramble stands as one of the more inspired records Crawford cut after leaving Atlantic in 1969, and reveals that the extended downtime had helped him to regain his focus and his power (both imaginatively and compositionally) as one of the great soul and blues-oriented jazzmen in history. ~ Thom Jurek http://www.allmusic.com/album/midnight-ramble-mw0000674658

Personnel: Hank Crawford (alto saxophone, electric piano); David "Fathead" Newman (tenor saxophone); Howard Johnson (baritone saxophone); Waymon Reed, Charlie Miller (trumpet); Dick Griffin (trombone); Dr. John (piano, organ); Calvin Newborne (guitar); Charles "Flip" Greene (bass); Bernard Purdie (drums).

Midnight Ramble

---

Lou Rawls - Portrait Of The Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 50:22

Size: 115.3 MB

Styles: R&B, Jazz-blues vocals

Year: 1993

Art: Front

[3:08] 1. I Just Want To Make Love To You (W. Junior Wells)

[3:04] 2. A Lover's Question (W. Phoebe Snow)

[2:41] 3. Person To Person

[2:42] 4. Since I Met You Baby

[4:29] 5. I'm Still In Love With You

[3:10] 6. Snap Your Fingers

[2:45] 7. Baby What You Want Me To Do

[3:14] 8. Suffering With The Blues

[2:56] 9. Hide Nor Hair

[4:22] 10. Chains Of Love

[3:16] 11. My Babe

[3:22] 12. I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues

[2:34] 13. Save Your Love For Me

[5:01] 14. Saturday Night Fish Fry (W. Joe Williams)

[3:32] 15. Sweet Slumber

Alto Saxophone – Hank Crawford; Drums – Chris Parker; Electric Bass – Tinker Barfield; Electric Piano – Richard Tee; Guitar – Steve Khan; Organ – Richard Tee; Piano – Richard Tee; Trombone – Hank Crawford. This album was recorded analog and mixed to digital. Recorded April - October 1992.

A wholesome blues effort by the native Chicagoan. Though these are bona fide blues numbers, Rawls confronts each song with an elegant touch. His delivery and articulation give the songs an uptown flair. Of the 15 numbers, only four ("Baby What You Want Me to Do," "Hide Nor Hair," "My Babe," and "Saturday Night Fish Fry") have that up-tempo, boogie-woogie fever. The latter, a classic Louis Jordan jump, is the most notable. It features Lionel Hampton on vibes and Rawls shares vocal duties with Joe Williams. The other selections have that cozy café ambience. Rawls also does a duet with Phoebe Snow on the calypso-seasoned "A Lover's Question." This is an all-star cast from the penmanship of greats like Duke Ellington, Ivory Joe Hunter, and others to the creative musicianship of Hank Crawford, Houston Person, Junior Wells, and company. ~Craig Lytle

Portrait Of The Blues               

---

Arthur Prysock - The Best Of Arthur Prysock: The Milestone Years

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:47
Size: 146.0 MB
Styles: Soul-blues-jazz vocals
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[4:15] 1. All My Lovin' Was In Vain
[6:03] 2. Got To Get You Off My Mind
[5:55] 3. Everything Must Change
[4:09] 4. Good Rockin' Tonight
[5:26] 5. I Want To Thank You, Girl
[5:37] 6. Next Time You See Me
[4:00] 7. At This Moment
[4:59] 8. Rainy Night In Georgia
[3:52] 9. Teach Me Tonight
[3:54] 10. I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone
[3:57] 11. Bring It On Home To Me
[3:59] 12. It's All In The Game
[3:55] 13. Baby (You've Got What It Takes)
[3:41] 14. After The Lovin'

Alto Saxophone – Hank Crawford (tracks: 2, 7, 12); Baritone Saxophone – Howard Johnson (3) (tracks: 2, 7, 12); Bass – Jimmy Lewis (2) (tracks: 1, 3 to 6, 8 to 11, 13, 14), Ralph Hamperian (tracks: 5, 6, 9, 13), Wilbur Bascomb (tracks: 2, 7, 12); Bass, Electric Bass – Leon Lee Dorsey (tracks: 1, 14); Drums – Bernard Purdie (tracks: 2, 7, 12), Don Williams (7); Guitar – Melvin Sparks (tracks: 2, 7, 12), Ralph Caldwell (tracks: 1, 3 to 6, 8 to 11, 13, 14); Keyboards – Lloyd Wilson (tracks: 1, 3 to 6, 8 to 11, 13, 14); Tenor Saxophone – Red Prysock; Trumpet – Alan Rubin (tracks: 2, 7, 12), Lew Soloff (tracks: 2, 7, 12); Vocals – Arthur Prysock, Betty Joplin (tracks: 3, 9, 11, 13). Recorded between 1985 and 1987.

Fourteen digitally remastered diamonds cropped from Prysock's previous albums: Today's Love Songs Tomorrow's, This Guy's in Love With You, and Rockin' Good Way. Prysock's big, deliberate baritone/bass voice is a heart stopper. The only miscue, but nothing major, is his rendition of Solomon Burke's "Got to Get You off My Mind," where he seems uncomfortable with the blues arrangement and the simplistic lyrics. But "All My Lovin' Was in Vain," "Everything Must Change" (he wows you with the first note), "Good Rockin' Tonight," "I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone," all deserve encores. His incredible renditions of "It's All in the Game" and "Rainy Night in Georgia" proves beyond a doubt that Arthur Prysock was the man! ~Andrew Hamilton

The Best Of Arthur Prysock: The Milestone Years

---

Hank Crawford, Jimmy McGriff - Crunch Time

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:37
Size: 120.5 MB
Styles: Soul-jazz, Bop
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[6:29] 1. Bow Legs
[8:09] 2. It's All Good
[5:42] 3. Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)
[7:09] 4. Sandu
[7:12] 5. Crunch Time
[7:12] 6. What's Going On
[4:11] 7. Without A Song
[6:29] 8. The Preacher

Cornell Dupree, Melvin Sparks - Guitar; Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Drums; Jimmy McGriff - Organ; Hank Crawford - Sax (Alto).

Crunch Time is classic Crawford/McGriff from the laid-back soulfulness of Crawford's "Bow Legs" to the swing given to Horace Silver's "The Preacher." Saxophonist Crawford and organist McGriff, recording as a team for this, their seventh album, go together like red beans and rice, offering a similar blend of comfort and kick. Crawford's distinct, bright tone penetrates the grooves laid-down by McGriff's tasty chordings. It's McGriff who adds the cayenne on his self-penned, bebopping title cut with drummer Bernard Purdie in the pocket all the way. A moving interpretation of the standard ballad "Without a Song," gains emotional impact by its provocatively leisurely pace and the Crawford's heart-wrenching blowing. Guitarists Melvin Sparks and Cornell Dupree, who are heard on alternating cuts, compliment the leaders whether comping behind them with those big fat chords or stepping out to solo. The sense of timing throughout this album and within these musicians is at the music's essence. It's the element which makes Crunch Time-and all of Crawford's and McGriff's music-so timeless. ~Geraldine Wycoff

Crunch Time

---

David "Fathead" Newman - Fire!: Live at the Village Vanguard

Styles: Flute And Saxophone Jazz

Year: 1989

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 68:09

Size: 156,3 MB

Art: Front

( 7:44)  1. Old Devil Moon

( 8:31)  2. Chenya

( 6:52)  3. Slippin' Down

( 7:32)  4. Wide Open Spaces

( 7:46)  5. Lonely Avenue

( 7:20)  6. Filthy McNasty

(12:43)  7. Blues for Ball

( 9:38)  8. Hard Times

For this excellent all-around date, David "Fathead" Newman and a fine rhythm section (pianist Kirk Lightsey, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist David Williams and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith) are joined by tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine on "Wide Open Spaces" (a tune that years earlier Newman had recorded with fellow tenor James Clay), altoist Hank Crawford on "Lonely Avenue" and both Turrentine and Crawford on two other songs. In addition, Newman takes "Filthy McNasty" as a flute feature and is showcased on the opening "Old Devil Moon." An enjoyable set of soulful, straight-ahead jazz. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/fire!-live-at-the-village-vanguard-mw0000199458

Personnel:  David "Fathead" Newman (flute, tenor saxophone); Steve Nelson (vibraphone);  David Williams (double bass);  Hank Crawford (alto saxophone);  Stanley Turrentine (tenor saxophone); Kirk Lightsey (piano); Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums).

Fire!: Live at the Village Vanguard

---

Dave Newman - Fathead Comes On

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 70:29

Size: 161.4 MB

Styles: Soul jazz, Saxophone jazz

Year: 1962/2013

Art: Front

[3:05] 1. Unchain My Heart

[5:37] 2. Cellar Groove

[3:39] 3. Alto Sauce (Feat. Hank Crawford)

[4:27] 4. Hello There

[5:13] 5. Scufflin' (Feat. Hank Crawford)

[4:01] 6. Esther's Melody (Feat. Hank Crawford)

[6:35] 7. Lady Day

[7:22] 8. Batista's Groove

[4:36] 9. Skylark

[7:55] 10. Night Of Nisan

[7:04] 11. Cousin Slim

[6:31] 12. Summertime

[4:19] 13. Congo Chant

Alto Saxophone – Dave "Fathead" Newman (tracks: A3, B2); Bass – Edgar Willis (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B2), Jimmy Jefferson (tracks: A2, A4, B3); Drums – Bruno Carr (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B2), Charlie Persip (tracks: A2, A4, B3); Flute – Dave "Fathead" Newman* (tracks: A1); Piano – Hank Crawford (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B2), Norris Austin (tracks: A2, A4, B3); Tenor Saxophone – Dave "Fathead" Newman (tracks: A2, A4, B1, B3); Trumpet – Marcus Belgrave (tracks: A2, A4, B3).

This 1962 David "Fathead" Newman album picks up where 1961's STRAIGHT AHEAD left off. However, this release is slightly less bebop-oriented. Instead, Newman blends together hard bop with his own R&B roots. (He was a key member of Ray Charles's band for many years.)

FATHEAD COMES ON is a very bluesy album, but also contains its share of tricky melodies and ambitious arrangements. Highlights include "Unchain My Heart," which is the funkiest tune on the disc, and "Cellar-Groove," which begins with a clever train rhythm; here the locomotive sound is simulated by the repetitive hi-hat work of Charlie Persip and the boogie-woogie playing of pianist Norris Austin. The disc ends with "Lady Day," a tribute to Billie Holiday, which is, not surprisingly, a somber ballad. Hard-bop records from this era typically lean on the influence of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, but FATHEAD COMES ON is a statement unto itself, and therefore, a very compelling listen. ~AllMusic

Fathead Comes On

---

Jimmy McGriff - Featuring Hank Crawford

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:35
Size: 143.3 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Jazz-funk
Year: 1978/1990
Art: Front

[6:29] 1. Dust Pan
[6:49] 2. Playland
[6:06] 3. Tapoica
[5:22] 4. Midnight Boogie
[6:34] 5. Walkin Willie
[9:19] 6. Courage
[7:23] 7. Loot To Boot
[4:54] 8. How Long
[2:44] 9. Let's Stay Together
[3:09] 10. The Bird
[3:40] 11. Ain't It Funky Now

Alto man Hank Crawford and organist Jimmy McGriff are made for each other. Mixing the right brew of blues, swing and funk, they compliment one another's soulful sound in distinctive style.

Featuring Hank Crawford

---

Hank Crawford - Night Beat

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:10
Size: 92.0 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Hard bop
Year: 1989
Art: Front

[8:02] 1. For The Love Of You
[4:58] 2. Mobile Bay
[6:53] 3. Midnight Fantasy
[5:29] 4. K.C. Blues
[5:28] 5. What A Wonderful World
[4:56] 6. Sleepin' On The Sidewalk
[4:20] 7. Trouble In Mind

Guitar – Melvin Sparks; Piano, Organ – Dr. John; Alto Saxophone, Electric Piano – Hank Crawford; Bass – Wilbur Bascomb; Drums – Bernard Purdie.

Altoist Hank Crawford teams up with pianist/organist Dr. John on this accessible and enjoyable soul-jazz outing. Crawford made quite a few CDs in this format for Milestone during the 1980s, using a funky four-piece rhythm section and a small horn section to play recent originals and a few vintage classics. Highlights of the above-average effort include "For the Love of You," "K.C. Blues" and "Trouble in Mind." ~Scott Yanow

Night Beat

---

Hank Crawford - From The Heart

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:41
Size: 88,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:19)  1. Don't Cry Baby
(3:38)  2. Sweet Cakes
(3:17)  3. You've Changed
(3:51)  4. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
(4:37)  5. Sherri
(3:06)  6. The Peeper
(5:00)  7. But On The Other Hand, Baby
(5:41)  8. Stoney Lonesome
(5:08)  9. What Will I Tell My Heart

Recorded in 1962 with most of the same band that made Soul Clinic, Hank Crawford turns in a simmering, deep soul performance that draws in equal parts from Ray Charles' R&B, James Moody's blues and Duke Ellington's swing. Accompanied by Texas tenor giant David "Fathead" Newman, baritone saxophonist Leroy Cooper, trumpeters John Hunt and Phil Guilbeau, bassist Edgar Willis and drummer Bruno Carr (with Sonny Forrest on guitar on three tracks), Crawford follows the soul-blues Muse into the night on this set. His four originals, including "Stoney Lonesome," "The Peeper" and "Sherri," are high points, so are his readings of Percy Mayfield's classic "But on the Other Hand," and Charles' "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand." 

The bookends on the set are the Unger-Bernie-Johnson blues finger-popper "Don't Cry Baby" and the elegant, melancholy ballad "What Will I Tell My Heart." From the Heart features Crawford digging deep into the Memphis tradition for expression. His own playing is exceptional as is that of Newman. These solos are as notable for their restraint in the service of melody as they are for their depth of expression. This is an early highpoint for Crawford. ~ Thom Jurek  http://www.allmusic.com/album/from-the-heart-mw0000142533

From The Heart

---

Hank Crawford - Memphis, Ray & A Touch Of Moody

Size: 177,6+166.9 MB
Time: 76:28+71:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1998/2009
Styles: Jazz: Mainstream Jazz, Soul Jazz
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Boo's Tune (6:36)
02. Angel Eyes (6:31)
03. Four Five Six (5:05)
04. The Story (4:40)
05. Dat Dere (4:50)
06. Misty (5:30)
07. Sister Sadie (4:36)
08. Don't Cry Baby (4:19)
09. Sweet Cakes (3:36)
10. You've Changed (3:17)
11. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (3:51)
12. Sherri (Sherry) (4:36)
13. The Peeper (3:06)
14. But On The Other Hand (5:00)
15. Stoney Lonesome (5:40)
16. What Will I Tell My Heart (5:08)

CD 2:
01. Blueberry Hill (3:21)
02. I Left My Heart In San Francisco (2:41)
03. Stormy Weather (3:14)
04. Sweet Slumber (2:49)
05. If I Didn't Care (2:43)
06. Stardust (3:54)
07. Any Time (2:40)
08. Whispering Grass (Don't Tell The Trees) (2:43)
09. Time Out For Tears (2:55)
10. I'm Getting Senimental Over You (3:17)
11. There Goes My Heart (3:12)
12. Have A Good Time (2:53)
13. Dig These Blues (4:30)
14. Don't' Get Around Much Anymore (4:59)
15. Banana Head (2:56)
16. H.C. Blues (2:46)
17. It's A Sin (2:33)
18. Hollywood Blues (3:17)
19. Baby Won't You Please Come Home (5:44)
20. New Blues (4:21)
21. Bluff City Blues (3:49)

This excellent two-disc set brings back four (!) of the best and earliest of Crawford's long out-of-print Atlantic LPs: his debut, More Soul (1960); his third, From the Heart (1961); his fourth, Soul of the Ballad (1963); and his sixth, Dig These Blues (1964). It's a remarkably cohesive, swinging set of first-rate soul jazz, blues and soulful ballads.

More Soul starts it all off with a straight-ahead, fun-filled set of seven solid swingers (even "Misty" swings here). Crawford's well-constructed septet features an alto/tenor/baritone/two trumpet frontline. David "Fathead" Newman shines on tenor, Leroy Cooper grinds on baritone and the trumpeters take several nice spots. But Crawford testifies : he jumps, soars, swoops and glides, never resorting to pretense or showiness. He means what he says and it sounds good.

The same group returns for the great From the Heart, a slowed-down, low-down set of nine blues. Guitarist Sonny Green turns out on three tracks, doing Crawford's sound up Basie style. Crawford, covering soulful standards like "Dat Dere" and "Sister Sadie" on his previous outing, explores more of his own blues here: "Sweet Cakes," "Sherri," "The Peeper" and "Stoney Lonesome."

Soul of the Ballad is a sax-and-strings affair that seems a little out of place here. Nevertheless, Crawford invests warm gusto in a set of too-familiar ballads, arranged by Marty Paich in the same country-soul style he was helping Ray Charles popularize at the time. The excellent Dig These Blues returns Crawford to more familiar ground, digging deep in on some good blues, and Crawford sitting in on piano for the noir blues of "Bluff City Blues" and "The Crazy Saloon."

Memphis, Ray and a Touch of Moody, despite its odd title (referring to Crawford's birthplace, his musical benefactor and, presumably, the saxophonist's affinity for James Moody), offers a satisfying portrait of one of jazz's most soulful alto players and a heaping helping of delicious soul jazz at its best. Recommended. ~Douglas Payne

Personnel: Hank Crawford: alto sax, piano; David "Fathead" Newman, Abdul Baari, Wilbur Brown, Wendell Harrison: tenor sax; Leroy Cooper, Howard Johnson: baritone sax; Phillip Guilbeau, Oliver Beener, Marcus Belgrave, Julius Brooks, Jimmy Owens: trumpet; John Hunt: trumpet, fluegelhorn; Edgar Willis, Ali Mohammed, Charlie Green: bass; Milt Turner, Bruno Carr: drums; Sonny Forrest: guitar; The Marty Paich Orchestra.

Memphis, Ray & A Touch Of Moody CD 1
Memphis, Ray & A Touch Of Moody CD 2

---

Hank Crawford - The Soul Clinic

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 34:40

Size: 79.4 MB

Styles: Hard bop, Soul jazz

Year: 1962/2005

Art: Front

[3:28] 1. Please Send Me Someone To Love

[5:26] 2. Easy Living

[4:19] 3. Playmates

[5:28] 4. What A Difference A Day Makes

[4:19] 5. Me And My Baby

[5:35] 6. Lorelei's Lament

[6:03] 7. Blue Stone

Phil Guilbeau (tp); John Hunt (tp, flh); Hank Crawford (as); David 'Fathead' Newman (ts); Leroy 'Hog' Cooper (bs); Edgar Willis (b); Bruno Carr (d). Recorded in New York City.

This inspired and talented group under the leadership of altoist/arranger Hank Crawford, is the Ray Charles band, minus Ray. But it is also a striking unit in its own right. The big-little-band sound is compellingly arranged and orchestrated, equally arresting on incendiary, swinging up-tempo performances as it is on blues-drenched ballads. And it provides a frame for notably lyrical and melodic soloists. The result is a joyous blend combining order and vitality in equal measure. Crawford—who also plays piano, when it is heard—is revealed as a moving and beautifully singing post-Bird alto player whose highly vocalized horn displays an instinctive understanding of structure and the tension-release qualities of good jazz.

And, while bearing a relationship to what became known as "Soul" music, it is also a reaffirmation of the validity of the original concept of that feeling. Remarkably, given the way that jazz and blues suffused its DNA, the unique voice of this gripping Ray Charles smallband operated only in concert or dance halls, outside the jazz club circuit.

The Soul Clinic

---

Hank Crawford & Jimmy Mcgriff - The Best Of

Styles: Hard Bop, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:18
Size: 172,9 MB
Art: Front

(8:33)  1. Frim Fram Sauce
(3:30)  2. Mr. P.C.
(6:29)  3. Bow Legs
(6:01)  4. Lift Every Voice And Sing
(6:02)  5. Because Of You
(6:42)  6. One Mint Julep
(3:41)  7. Second Time Around
(8:32)  8. The River's Invitation
(4:43)  9. Jimmy's Groove
(7:12) 10. Any Day Now
(4:55) 11. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
(8:52) 12. A Little Bit South Of East St Louis

Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff didn't co-lead a studio date until 1986, when Bob Porter (one of the top producers in the soul-jazz field) produced their Soul Survivors album for Milestone. But alto saxman Crawford and organist McGriff should have recorded together long before that because they have so much in common. Both are soul-jazz/hard bop heavyweights, and both thrive on jazz that is funky, earthy, blues-drenched, and quite accessible; as a rule, blues and R&B lovers who don't care for the more abstract, cerebral styles of jazz have no problem getting into Crawford or McGriff. And they will have no problem getting into this fine collection, which offers a 75-minute sample of material that the veteran improvisers recorded as co-leaders from 1986-1998.

Everything on The Best of Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff was produced by Porter, who has produced countless soul-jazz sessions over the years. So not surprisingly, this 2001 release is full of state-of-the-art soul-jazz. Crawford and McGriff enjoy a strong rapport whether they are getting into hard-swinging up-tempo fare on "One Mint Julep" (a major hit for Ray Charles in 1961) and Lester Young's "Jumpin' With Symphony Sid" or lyrical ballad playing on "Second Time Around" and "Because of You." None of the material is groundbreaking; in the '80s and '90s, Crawford and McGriff excelled by sticking with the type of down-home stuff they had been embracing since the '50s. The Best of Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff isn't difficult, ultra-intellectual jazz that will scare away R&B, rock, and pop fans this is grits-and-gravy music, and accessibility is the rule on these inspired Crawford/McGriff encounters. ~ Alex Henderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-hank-crawford-and-jimmy-mcgriff-mw0000017212

Personnel: Hank Crawford (alto saxophone); Jimmy McGriff (organ, Hammond B-3 organ); Billy Preston (piano); George Benson, Wayne Boyd, Cornell Dupree, Jimmy Ponder (guitar); Vance James, Mel Lewis, Bernard Purdie (drums);

The Best Of

---

Hank Crawford - 2 albums: Roadhouse Symphony / After Hours

Album: Roadhouse Symphony

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 37:47

Size: 86.5 MB

Styles: Soul jazz, Saxophone jazz

Year: 1985/2001

Art: Front

[5:46] 1. Roadhouse Symphony

[4:37] 2. Tragick Magick

[4:59] 3. Jubilee

[4:47] 4. Say It Isn't So

[6:10] 5. Time Is On Our Side

[5:14] 6. Precious Lord, Take My Hand

[6:11] 7. Sugar Ditch

All of Hank Crawford's many recordings for Milestone in the 1980s and '90s are worth picking up by his fans although this reasonably enjoyable outing is not one of the more essential ones. The soulful altoist is joined by Dr. John on piano and organ, guitarist Melvin Sparks, bassist Wilbur Bascomb, Jr., drummer Bernard Purdie and a five-piece horn section (Houston Person and David "Fathead" Newman get a tenor solo apiece) for a set mostly comprised of group originals plus the old ballad "Say It Isn't So" and Thomas A. Dorsey's spiritual standard "Precious Lord"; Dr. John takes a vocal on his "Tragick Magick." ~Scott Yanow

Roadhouse Symphony

---

Album: After Hours

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 32:43

Size: 74.9 MB

Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz

Year: 1966/2004

Art: Front

[5:27] 1. After Hours

[3:53] 2. Junction

[4:38] 3. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

[2:50] 4. Next Time You See Me

[2:46] 5. Soul Shoutin'

[4:26] 6. Makin' Whoopee

[4:19] 7. When Did You Leave Heaven

[4:20] 8. The Back Slider

The most unusual aspect to this straight CD reissue of a Hank Crawford Atlantic LP is that the altoist plays some very effective piano on two numbers including a lengthy feature on "After Hours."

Fortunately his alto playing is not neglected and he really shows off his appealing tone on "Who Can I Turn To," "Makin' Whoopee" and "When Did You Leave Heaven." A fine soulful crossover set that is quite accessible and melodic. ~Scott Yanow

After Hours 

---

Hank Crawford - Mr. Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:33
Size: 74.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1967/2005
Art: Front

[3:48] 1. Mr. Blues
[3:03] 2. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
[3:25] 3. Hush Puppies
[3:28] 4. Danger Zone
[3:03] 5. Route 66
[4:12] 6. Lonely Avenue
[4:11] 7. Teardrops
[3:44] 8. Smoky City
[3:37] 9. The Turfer

JOHN HUNT, FIELDER FLOYD, trumpet; HANK CRAWFORD, alto sax; WENDELL HARRISON, tenor sax; LONNIE SHAW. baritone sax; CHARLES GREEN, bass; MILT TURNER, drums.

Hank Crawford was an alto sax sensation since he stepped out of the Ray Charles band back in 1963. A signature piercing, full bodied, blues, soul, and gospel drenched tone, sets him apart from the alto pack. He has an instantly recognizable voice, and his excellent choice of material suits his style perfectly. He is a bluesman turned preacher on the sax, and the sermon is always on time.

Bennie Ross Crawford Jr. was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 21, 1934, began formal piano studies at age nine and was soon playing for his church choir. His father had brought an alto saxophone home from the service and when Hank entered high school, he took it up in order to join the band. He credits Charlie Parker, Louis Jordan, Earl Bostic and Johnny Hodges as early influences.

Mr. Blues

---

Hank Crawford - Dig These Blues

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 35:08

Size: 80.4 MB

Styles: Hard bop. Soul jazz

Year: 1965/2005

Art: Front

[4:31] 1. Dig These Blues

[5:01] 2. Don't Get Around Much Anymore

[2:57] 3. Banana Head

[2:47] 4. H. C. Blues

[2:34] 5. It's A Sin

[3:17] 6. Hollywood Blues

[5:45] 7. Baby Won't You Please Come Home

[4:22] 8. New Blues

[3:51] 9. Bluff City Blues

Hank kicks back and blows soulfully – working in a variety of groups with hip players that include Wendell Harrison, Ali Mohammed, Wilbur Brown, and Leroy Cooper. The overall sound is similar to Crawford's other work on Atlantic – nothing too challenging, but in a soulful mode that's always pretty tight.

Dig These Blues

---