Dianne Reeves - The Grand Encounter

Styles: Vocal Jazz 
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:26
Size: 116,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Old Country
(3:23)  2. Cherokee
(8:12)  3. Besame Mucho
(3:46)  4. Let Me Love You
(4:54)  5. Tenderly
(6:06)  6. After Hours
(3:27)  7. Ha!
(5:24)  8. Some Other Spring
(5:08)  9. Side By Side
(4:59) 10. I'm Okay

This CD could have been titled Finally! Dianne Reeves has long had the potential to be the top female jazz singer, but so many of her previous recordings were erratic as she skipped back and forth between idioms without committing herself. However, after years of flirting with jazz and being seemingly undecided whether she would rather be a pop star, she at last came out with a full jazz album in 1996, and it is a gem. The supporting cast on the ten selections (which feature different personnel on each cut) is remarkable and everyone gets a chance to play: trumpeters Clark Terry and Harry "Sweets" Edison, altoists Phil Woods and Bobby Watson, tenorman James Moody, trombonist Al Grey, harmonica great Toots Thielemans (on "Besame Mucho"), pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and drummer Herlin Riley.

In addition, Joe Williams shares the vocal spotlight on "Let Me Love You" and a touching version of "Tenderly," Germaine Bazzle sings along with Reeves on "Side by Side," and a rendition of Charlie Ventura's "Ha!" has a vocal group consisting of Reeves, Bazzle, Terry, Moody, and the young Kimberley Longstreth. Other highlights include Nat Adderley's "Old Country," "Some Other Spring," and "Cherokee." Despite the heavy "competition," the leader emerges as the star of the set due to her beautiful voice and highly expressive singing. This highly recommended CD is the Dianne Reeves release to get. By Scott Yanow
https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-grand-encounter-mw0000081516

Personnel: Vocals – Dianne Reeves, Germaine Bazzle, Joe Williams , Kimberley Longstreth; Vocals, Tenor Saxophone – James Moody; Vocals, Trumpet – Clark Terry ; Alto Saxophone – Bobby Watson , Phil Woods; Bass – Rodney Whitaker; Drums – Herlin Riley; Harmonica – Toots Thielemans; Piano – Kenny Barron; Trombone – Al Grey ; Trumpet – Harry "Sweets" Edison

The Grand Encounter

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Joe Williams - Every Day: The Best Of The Verve Years (2-Disc Set)

In effect, this double-disc set, released in anticipation of Joe Williams' 75th birthday, is two compilation albums in one. The first CD, containing material recorded between 1955 and 1957, presents the artist singing with Count Basie and His Orchestra at the start of Williams' national career, when he and Basie scored a major R&B hit with the title song and made albums like Count Basie Swings/Joe Williams Sings, One O'Clock Jump, and The Greatest! Count Basie Swings/Joe Williams Sings Standards. Along with The Count Basie Band and the Dizzy Gillespie Band at Newport, these provide most of the selections included, among them memorable Williams performances such as "Teach Me Tonight," "I'm Beginning to See the Light," and "The Comeback." The second CD chronicles Williams' return to Verve Records in the years 1987 to 1990, for such albums as Every Night and Ballad and Blues Master, both of which were recorded live May 7-8, 1987, at the Vine St. Bar and Grill in Hollywood. So, we have the (relatively) young Williams and a much older Williams towards the end of his career. In both cases, however, he displays considerable dexterity in his blues-tinged jazz singing, and he gets tremendous support from his instrumentalists. The 30-year gap from one disc to another prevents this from being a definitive look at his career, but for the periods covered the anthology is well-chosen. ~William Ruhlmann

Album: Every Day: The Best Of The Verve Years (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:11
Size: 135.5 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1993
Art: Front

[5:26] 1. Every Day I Have The Blues
[3:02] 2. Teach Me Tonight
[3:33] 3. In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)
[2:48] 4. My Baby Upsets Me
[3:26] 5. Please Send Me Someone To Love
[2:56] 6. Too Close For Comfort
[3:00] 7. Don't Worry 'bout Me
[3:57] 8. Party Blues
[3:03] 9. Stop, Pretty Baby, Stop
[3:06] 10. I'm Beginning To See The Light
[2:28] 11. A Fine Romance
[2:38] 12. I Don't Like You No More
[2:49] 13. There Will Never Be Another You
[3:58] 14. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[2:48] 15. All Right, Ok, You Win
[4:10] 16. The Comeback
[2:40] 17. Roll 'em Pete
[3:15] 18. Smack Dab In The Middle

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Album: Every Day: The Best Of The Verve Years (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:51
Size: 153.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1993
Art: Front

[5:14] 1. Every Night
[5:17] 2. Sometimes I'm Happy
[5:19] 3. Don't You Know I Care
[4:50] 4. Who She Do
[6:10] 5. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
[4:20] 6. Winter Wonderland
[6:56] 7. Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues
[4:21] 8. Too Good To Be True
[5:28] 9. Too Marvelous For Words
[3:25] 10. Jimmy's Blues
[2:35] 11. I Want A Little Girl
[3:48] 12. Ev'ry Day (I Fall In Love)
[9:03] 13. Every Day I Have The Blues

Every Day: The Best Of The Verve Years (Disc 1) (Disc 2)

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The Capp-Pierce Juggernaut Feat.Joe Williams - Live At The Century Plaza

Styles: Jazz, Bop
Year: 1978
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:40
Size: 98,1 MB
Art: Front

( 3:57) 1. Fiesta In Brass
( 5:42) 2. Basie's Deep Fry
( 4:35) 3. Souvenir
( 5:08) 4. Capp This!
( 5:02) 5. Tarragon
( 4:44) 6. Swing Shift
(10:51) 7. Joe's Blues
( 2:39) 8. What The World Needs Now Is Love

The packaging for this reissue CD could be better (it leaves out the personnel listing and even the recording date) but the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut is heard throughout the live session in fine form. The main soloists in the 1978 version of the 17-piece orchestra are pianist co-leader Nat Pierce, trumpeter Al Aarons, trombonist Buster Cooper, tenors Bob Cooper and Herman Riley, and altoist Marshall Royal; the other co-leader, Frank Capp, has a drum feature on "Capp This."

The Count Basie sound-alike band (which sounds surprisingly like Duke Ellington's on "Fiesta in Brass") performs Pierce's arrangements with swing and spirit. An added plus is that Joe Williams sits in for "Joe's Blues" (during which he sings some of his favorite blues stanzas) along with a throwaway version of "What the World Needs Now Is Love." By Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-live-at-the-century-plaza-mw0000187957

Personnel: Drums – Frankie Capp; Piano – Nat Pierce; Bass – Chuck Berghoffer; Guitar – Ray Pohlman; Saxophone – Bob Cooper, Herman Riley, Lanny Morgan, Marshal Royal*, Bill Green; Trombone – Alan Kaplan, Britt Woodman, Buster Cooper, Garnett Bown; Trumpet – Al Aarons, Bill Berry, Bobby Shew, Frank Szabo; Vocals – Joe Williams

Live At Century Plaza

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Joe Williams Feat. Ben Webster - Havin' A Good Time

Styles: Vocal And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:25
Size: 125,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:21) 1. Just a Sittin' and a Rockin'
(6:43) 2. Kansas City Blues
(3:02) 3. By the River St. Marie
(5:00) 4. That's All
(2:36) 5. Alone Together
(3:10) 6. I'm Through with Love
(2:34) 7. The Great City
(6:23) 8. A Hundred Years from Today
(6:46) 9. Ain't Misbehavin'
(5:57) 10. Honeysuckle Rose
(2:05) 11. Alright, Okay, You Win
(4:47) 12. Have a Good Time
(0:54) 13. Band Intro & Goodbye

Havin' A Good Time documents a concert that never should have happened. In the winter of 1964 Providence was socked with a blizzard that kept eager concertgoers away from the club where Joe Williams was playing. Enough people showed up that he still had to perform a few sets, but the lucky few who were there were given a rare treat; improbably, Ben Webster showed up out of nowhere and asked if he could sit in.

This is the sort of magical encounter on which jazz thrives: no preparation, no rehearsal, just a couple of masters joining together to produce some wonderful music on the spot. According to pianist Junior Mance, this was the only meeting between Webster and Williams, and fortunately it was caught on tape. All of these songs are either well-known or based on fairly simple chord progressions, which allows the band to plug into the numbers without much difficulty.

If Webster hadn't appeared, the set would still have been worth a listen; Williams always did his best work in front of an audience, and the fact that the small crowd had braved the storm to see him no doubt only added to his enthusiastic delivery. Blues songs like "Just A Sittin' and A Rockin' were tailor-made for Williams' rich baritone and exuberant presence. But the presence of Webster adds a new dimension; he gets ample solo space, really digging in to the slower numbers that he plays so beautifully, and huffs quietly behind Williams as he sings. The rhythm section seems invigorated by the chance to play with the added firepower; Junior Mance in particular carves out a niche with some smoking accompaniment.

Havin' A Good Time is an appropriate title for this new release. Clearly the audience enjoyed the collaboration and the musicians crafted some terrific entertainment. It may have been cold and snowy outside, but it sure was hot inside. By David Rickert https://www.allaboutjazz.com/havin-a-good-time-hyena-records-review-by-david-rickert

Personnel: Joe Williams: Vocals; Junior Mance: Piano; Mickey Roker: Drums; Ben Webster: Tenor Saxophone; Bob Cranshaw: Bass.

Havin' A Good Time

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Benny Carter - Benny Carter Songbook Vol II

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:04
Size: 174,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:26)  1. My Mind Is Still On You - Joe Williams
(5:10)  2. Echo Of My Dream - Dianna Krall
(6:00)  3. Rock Me To Sleep - Ruth Brown
(4:04)  4. Stop Me Before I Fall In Love Again - Billy Stritch
(8:33)  5. He Doesn't Need Me Now - Nancy Marano
(6:05)  6. Doozy - Jon Hendricks
(5:10)  7. Nevermore - Billy Stritch
(7:05)  8. Malibu - Lainie Kazan
(5:53)  9. Blue Moonlight - Marlena Shaw
(5:30) 10. Evening Star - Kenny Rankin
(4:46) 11. Slow Carousel - Nancy Marano
(4:05) 12. Whisper To One - Barbara Lea
(5:56) 13. I'm The Caring Kind - Weslia Whitfield
(4:16) 14. When Hilma Smiles

The 1997 release of this CD helped Benny Carter celebrate his 90th birthday, featuring 14 of his original ballads by a dozen guests, in addition to a warm tribute to his wife of many years, "When Hilma Smiles," sung by Carter himself in a friendly, unpretentious manner. His smooth alto sax hasn't lost anything over the decades, and the top-notch cornet of Warren Vaché is also a nice touch. 

The highlights among the guest vocalists' contributions include Nancy Marano's emotional version of "He Doesn't Need Me Now" and Wesla Whitfield's sassy take of "I'm the Caring Kind." ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/songbook-vol-2-mw0000028108

Personnel: Benny Carter (vocals, alto saxophone); Joe Williams, Weslia Whitfield, Ruth Brown, Billy Stritch, Nancy Marano, Jon Hendricks, Lainie Kazan, Marlena Shaw, Kenny Rankin, Barbara Lea, Diana Krall (vocals); Warren Vache (cornet); Chris Neville (piano); Steve LaSpina (bass); Sherman Ferguson, Roy McCurdy (drums)

Benny Carter Songbook Vol II

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Joe Williams - Feel the Spirit

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:21
Size: 125,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:43)  1. In the Beginning/My Lord
(5:11)  2. Feel the Spirit
(4:49)  3. Go Down Moses/Wade in the Water
(3:47)  4. Great Camp Meeting
(5:12)  5. Were You There?
(4:18)  6. Walk with Me
(4:16)  7. I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
(3:56)  8. In My Heart
(3:11)  9. Little David
(5:13) 10. His Eye Is on the Sparrow
(4:25) 11. Pass It On
(3:32) 12. The Lord's Prayer
(0:41) 13. Doxology

Joe Williams had been wanting to record an album of spirituals since 1957 and this is it. The veteran singer gives a blues feeling and swing to the traditional pieces which range from the rollicking title cut to "Go Down Moses," "I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray" and "The Lord's Prayer." He is assisted by Marlena Shaw (a particularly effective partner on three of the numbers) and a five-piece chorus on four other songs. The backing usually features Patrice Rushen getting organ sounds out of her synthesizer. Despite the one-message content, the music has more variety than one might expect and Joe Williams acquits himself very well on this sincere and heartfelt effort. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/feel-the-spirit-mw0000174115

Personnel: Joe Williams - vocals;  Marlena Shaw - vocals; Patrice Rushen - synthesizer; Jerry Peters - piano; Phil Upchurch - guitar; Abraham Laboriel - bass; Harvey Mason - drums

Feel the Spirit

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Benny Carter - Songbook

Styles: Vocal, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:37
Size: 179,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:30)  1. Only Trust Your Heart (Feat. Dianne Reeves)
(4:55)  2. All That Jazz (Feat. Carmen Bradford & Kenny Rankin)
(4:23)  3. I Was Wrong (Feat. Joe Williams)
(4:59)  4. Rain (Feat. Marlena Shaw)
(5:34)  5. Cow-Cow Boogie (Feat. Jon Hendricks)
(5:36)  6. Fresh Out Of Love (Feat. Diana Krall)
(4:57)  7. Speak Now (Feat. Billy Stritch)
(5:27)  8. A Kiss From You (Feat. Shirley Horn)
(4:17)  9. You Bring Out The Best In Me (Feat. Bobby Short)
(5:45) 10. My Kind Of Trouble Is You (Feat. Ruth Brown)
(4:06) 11. When Lights Are Low (Feat. Weslia Whitfield)
(6:35) 12. Lonely Woman (Feat. Nancy Marano)
(4:33) 13. Key Largo (Feat. Carmen Bradford)
(6:03) 14. We Were In Love (Feat. Dianne Reeves & Joe Williams)
(4:48) 15. I See You (Feat. Peggy Lee)

Due to his being such a talented altoist, arranger and occasional trumpeter for seven decades, it is often forgotten that Benny Carter wrote some worthy songs along the way. "When Lights Are Low" and "Blues in My Heart" are standards while "Only Trust Your Heart," "Key Largo" and the novelty hit "Cow-Cow Boogie" are close. For this unusual set, 14 different singers had opportunities to interpret one or two Carter compositions while joined by a fine quintet consisting of cornetist Warren Vache, pianist Chris Neville, bassist Steve LaSpina, drummer Sherman Ferguson and Carter himself (88 at the time!) on alto. The ambitious program includes five Carter songs that were receiving their world premiere; in addition Carter also wrote or co-wrote the lyrics to nine of the pieces. The singers all show respect for the melody and words with Jon Hendricks being playful on "Cow-Cow Boogie," Joe Williams quite touching on "I Was Wrong" and a weakened Peggy Lee making a memorable cameo on "I See You." The vocalists consistently seem quite inspired by the unique project. There are many short Carter and Warren Vache solos and, even with the emphasis on ballads, there is more variety than one might expect. The well-conceived tribute (which also has fine appearances by Dianne Reeves, Carmen Bradford, Kenny Rankin, Marlena Shaw, Diana Krall, Billy Stritch, Shirley Horn, Bobby Short, Ruth Brown, Weslia Whitfield and Nancy Marano). ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/songbook-mw0000180497

Personnel:  Benny Carter - alto saxophone;  Warren Vache - cornet;  Chris Neville, Gene DiNovi (#15) - piano;  Steve LaSpina, John Heard (#15) - bass;  Sherman Ferguson, Roy McCurdy (#2,6,13) - drums

Thank You Dave!

Songbook

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Joe Williams - Songs About That Kind Of Woman

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:34
Size: 79.1 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1960/2012
Art: Front

[2:44] 1. That Kind Of Woman
[2:40] 2. Candy
[3:38] 3. You Think Of Everything
[3:21] 4. Stella By Starlight
[2:16] 5. Louise
[2:59] 6. It's Easy To Remember
[2:56] 7. I Only Want To Love You
[3:17] 8. Cherry
[3:06] 9. Why Can't You Behave
[2:59] 10. Here's To My Lady
[2:30] 11. When A Woman Loves A Man
[2:02] 12. Have You Met Miss Jones

This release presents the great Joe Williams’ complete original LP "That Kind of Woman" (Roulette SR52039), which appears here on CD for the first time ever. On this album, which showcases the singer on a variety of standards related to romantic love, Williams is backed by a big band conducted by pianist Jimmy Jones.

Songs About That Kind Of Woman mc
Songs About That Kind Of Woman zippy

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Joe Williams - The Best Of Joe Williams (Remastered)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:27
Size: 69.7 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:33] 1. A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry
[2:50] 2. Five O'clock In The Morning
[3:06] 3. Lyin' Woman
[2:47] 4. The Real Thing
[2:38] 5. One Is A Lonesome Number
[3:49] 6. I Was Telling Her About You
[2:56] 7. I Laugh To Keep From Crying
[2:46] 8. Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)
[2:57] 9. I Only Want To Love You
[3:01] 10. I'll Never Smile Again

Joe Williams was the last great big-band singer, a smooth baritone who graced the rejuvenated Count Basie Orchestra during the 1950s and captivated audiences well into the '90s. Born in Georgia, he moved to Chicago with his grandmother at the age of three. Reunited with his mother, she taught him to play the piano and took him to the symphony. Though tuberculosis slowed him down as a teenager, Williams began performing at social events and formed his own gospel vocal quartet, the Jubilee Boys.

By the end of the '30s he had made the transition to the Chicago club scene, and appeared with orchestras led by Jimmie Noone and Les Hite during the late '30s. He sang with Coleman Hawkins and Lionel Hampton during the early '40s, and toured with Andy Kirk & His Clouds of Joy during the mid-'40s (making his first recording with that band). Still, lingering illness kept him sidelined from active touring, and he worked as a theater doorman and door-to-door cosmetics salesman before his first minor hit for Checker, 1952's "Every Day I Have the Blues."

Finally, at the age of 35, he got his big break when in 1954 he was hired as the male vocalist for Count Basie's Orchestra. He soon helped audiences forget the absence of Basie's long-time vocalist, Jimmy Rushing. Indeed, he did more than just pull his own weight during the '50s; he became a major star in his own right and helped revive the lagging fortunes of the Basie band. His first (and best) LP, Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings, appeared in 1955, containing definitive versions of "Every Day I Have the Blues" (already his signature song) and "Alright, Okay, You Win." "Every Day" hit number two on the R&B charts, and sparked another LP -- 1957's The Greatest! Count Basie Swings/Joe Williams Sings Standards -- spotlighting Williams' command of the traditional pop repertory. Even while performing and touring the world with Basie during the late '50s, Williams made his solo-billed debut LP for Regent in 1956, and followed it with a trio of albums for Roulette.

Despite an inevitable parting from Basie in 1961, Williams stayed close to the fold, working in a small group led by Basieite Harry "Sweets" Edison, then formed his own quartet in 1962. For his RCA debut, 1963's Jump for Joy, the lineup included jazz greats Thad Jones, Clark Terry, Snooky Young, Kenny Burrell, Oliver Nelson, Urbie Green, and Phil Woods. He recorded two more albums during the year -- At Newport '63 and Me and the Blues -- and hit another peak in 1966 with an LP for Blue Note, Presenting Joe Williams and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra. Though he toured consistently during the '70s, his recordings fell off until a pair of mid-'80s LPs for Delos, Nothin' But the Blues and I Just Wanna Sing. After the former won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, he landed a recurring role on the popular television series The Cosby Show and signed a contract for Verve.

Live appearances at Vine St. resulted in material for his first two Verve albums, Every Night: Live at Vine St. and Ballad and Blues Master. Still in extraordinarily fine voice, Williams recorded two more albums for Verve and toured constantly during the '90s. He appeared again with Count Basie's Orchestra (led by Frank Foster), released several albums through Telarc, and remained one of the most talented jazz vocalists in the world right up until his death in 1999. ~ John Bush

The Best Of Joe Williams (Remastered) mc
The Best Of Joe Williams (Remastered) zippy

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Joe Williams - Here's to Life

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1994
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 59:31
Size: 110,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:37)  1. Here's To Life
(4:52)  2. What A Wonderful World
(4:17)  3. When I Fall In Love
(4:14)  4. I Found A Million Dollar Baby
(4:54)  5. If I Had You
(4:07)  6. Maybe September
(4:00)  7. Save That Time
(4:49)  8. Young And Foolish
(5:15)  9. I Didn't Know About You
(4:32) 10. Little Sir Echo
(4:58) 11. Someone You've Loved
(4:06) 12. A Time For Love
(3:44) 13. Here's To Life

Joe Williams loves the string arrangements of Robert Farnon and the sappy ballad "Here's to Life" but in truth the charts border on muzak and the slow tempoes on this Telarc CD have little variety. Reminiscent a bit of Nat King Cole's string sessions of the 1950s with Gordon Jenkins, there is little jazz content to this set. Williams is in particularly strong form, interpreting the ballads in dramatic and sensitive fashion, but, despite his charm, this is one of his lesser recordings. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/heres-to-life-mw0000623648

Personnel: Joe Williams (vocals); Louis Stewart (guitar); Hugh Webb (harp); Liz Edwards, Belinda Bunt, Trevor Williams , Michael Berrow, Madeleine Whitelaw, Rachel Cohen, John Ronayne, Raymond Keenlyside, Diana Cummings, Raymond Cohen, Jonathan Strange, Celia Sheen, Homi Kanga, Gillian Cohen, Roy Wilson, Roger Garland (violin); John Underwood , Kenneth Essex, Michael Ponder (viola); Keith Harvey, Denis Vigay, Anthony Pleeth (cello); Dennis Walton, Peter Hughes , Tommy Whittle, Roy Willox (woodwinds); Paul Pritchard, John Rooke, John Pigneguy (French horn); Bill Geldard, Christopher Dean, Don Lusher (trombone); Laurie Holloway (piano, celesta); George Shearing (piano); Jack Parnell (drums).

Here's to Life

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Various - Blue Note Plays Ray Charles

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:58
Size: 107.5 MB
Styles: Jazz/Blues/Soul/R&B
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:12] 1. Lou Rawls - That's Where It's At
[4:32] 2. Jimmy McGriff - I Got A Woman
[4:34] 3. Stanley Turrentine - What Would I Do Without You
[6:28] 4. Grant Green - This Little Girl Of Mine
[2:48] 5. Jimmy Smith - Ain't That Love
[7:16] 6. Freddy Roach - (Night Time Is) The Right Time
[2:58] 7. Joe Williams - Hallelujah I Love Her So
[3:32] 8. The Three Sounds - Drown In My Own Tears
[2:56] 9. Lou Rawls - Hide Nor Hair
[3:23] 10. Grant Green - I Can't Stop Loving You
[5:14] 11. Jimmy Smith - I'm Movin' On

Blue Note Plays Ray Charles contains 11 previously released performances by jazz artists associated with the label who dip into the songbook of "Brother Ray." These are enjoyable re-creations courtesy of several Hammond B-3 masters, including Jimmy McGriff's "I Got a Woman," Freddie Roach's "Night Time Is the Right Time," and Jimmy Smith's "I'm Movin' On." Also of note is guitarist Grant Green's lyrical take on "I Can't Stop Loving You," with pianist Herbie Hancock's light, late-night blues touch influenced by The Genius After Hours. On past Blue Note Plays releases, the time line of music has tended to cross several decades, making for an erratic and jarring listening experience. Fortunately, there is a consistency on Blue Note Plays Ray Charles, as nine of the tracks were recorded in the '60s with the exception of two by Lou Rawls: "That's Where It's At," with Charles on vocals, from 1989 and "Hide nor Hair" from 1992. This budget-priced release is recommended to all fans of Ray Charles, whether they are jazz fans or not. ~Al Campbell

Blue Note Plays Ray Charles

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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               

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Joe Williams, Carmen McRae And Friends - Blues In My Heart

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:03
Size: 142.1 MB
Styles: Urban blues, Jazz vocals
Year: 2001/2015
Art: Front

[3:08] 1. Suivez Le Chef
[2:56] 2. Work Song
[3:11] 3. Blues In My Heart
[6:39] 4. Just The Way You Are
[4:52] 5. Rock Rhythm
[3:19] 6. It Don't Mean A Thing
[3:53] 7. Them There Eyes
[5:48] 8. Body And Soul
[4:48] 9. Bowling Green
[4:32] 10. 'tis Autumn
[2:20] 11. Bye Bye Blackbird
[5:21] 12. Jungle Trap
[2:52] 13. End Of A Beautiful Friendship
[6:58] 14. Backbone
[1:19] 15. For Jammers Only

Blues In My Heart

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Joe Williams - Nothin' But The Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:49
Size: 134.7 MB
Styles: Blues/Jazz vocals
Year: 1983/1992
Art: Front

[5:17] 1. Who She Do
[4:45] 2. Just A Dream
[2:41] 3. Hold It Right There
[5:12] 4. Please Send Me Someone To Love
[4:49] 5. Goin' To Chicago Blues
[3:52] 6. Ray Brown's In Town
[6:55] 7. In The Evening/Rocks In My Bed
[4:40] 8. Alright, Okay, You Win
[7:33] 9. Mean Old World Wee Baby Blues
[5:05] 10. The Come Back
[4:26] 11. Tell Me Where To Scratch
[3:27] 12. Sent For You Yesterday (And Here You Come Today)

Bass – Ray Brown; Drums – Gerryck King; Guitar – Phil Upchurch; Organ, Piano – Jack McDuff; Saxophone, Leader – Red Holloway; Vocals – Joe Williams; Vocals, Saxophone – Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson.

According to Joe… Enthusiasm coming from every pore! That’s how I’ve felt about this album, right fromt he first day, when Ralph Jungheim hit me with the idea of doing an all-blues album with an all-star blues band. Overseas, jazz is looked on and respected as part of our classical presentation. So, recording the first jazz album on a prestigious American classical label like Delos is a giant step toward broadening our audience here in this country. About this band. I’ve worked with most of these guys before at one time or another, but never expected to work with them all at once! That’s why these dates were such a tremendous experience for me. I don’t remember singing the blues with such verve for a long time! All four sessions were special. For one thing, there wasn’t one note on paper, except for “Ray Brown’s Back In Town,” Red Holloway’s instrumental. All the other tunes were spontaneous, on-the-spot head arrangements, which really only works when you have players with really big ears, all really listening to each other and everybody contributing. You can’t rehearse the blues (not that we needed to) so we nailed most of the tunes on the first take. Another special thing was the relaxed atmosphere we had happening in the studio, with friends dropping in to visit. You know how you can get that magic and electricity going on a live date with a good audience? Well, that’s the feeling we had right there in the studio. There was a lot of love in that room. “Nothin’ But The Blues” captures the magic. It is the blues! – Joe Williams

Nothin' But The Blues

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Diane Schuur - Pure Schuur

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:46
Size: 109,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:10)  1. Nobody Does Me
(4:53)  2. All Caught Up In Love
(2:19)  3. Deed I Do
(4:54)  4. What A Difference A Day Makes
(6:10)  5. Touch
(4:32)  6. Baby You Got What It Takes
(3:55)  7. Unforgettable
(4:53)  8. I Could Get Used To This
(3:15)  9. You Don't Remember Me
(4:25) 10. Hold Out
(3:15) 11. We Can Only Try

Diane Schuur has always been one of the world's greatest modern jazz voices, and her purity on this collection makes for her most artistic yet accessible statement to date. She may be broadening her scope to include pop, but she's also sure to pay homage to her jazzy upbringing, most notably on her stunning renditions of "Unforgettable" (the same year Natalie Cole triumphed with the song) and "Deed I Do," a sassy big-band duet with the late Joe Williams. The magic of Pure Schuur lies in Schuur's ability to pick and interpret such a wide range of songs with so many different types of arrangements.

While producer Andre Fischer seems to have a grand old time backing Deedles with sporty horn sections and synthesized sounds, the album is most effective with minimal instrumentation, as on the magnificent "You Don't Remember Me" and "We Can Only Try." As with Frank Sinatra and the like, Schuur is blessed with good-to-great songs, smart arrangers, and stellar productions, but it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that...voice. Schuur's is clear, rich, and powerful, mixing fun and romance as only a jazz legend in the making can.~Jonathan Widran http://www.allmusic.com/album/pure-schuur-mw0000317774

Personnel: Diane Schuur (vocals, keyboards); Joe Williams , Bobby Womack (vocals); Dean Parks (guitar, acoustic guitar); Grant Geissman (guitar); Ernie Fields Jr., Fred Jackson, Jr. , Jack Nimitz, Joel Peskin (saxophone); Larry Williams (alto saxophone); Chuck Finley (tenor saxophone, trumpet); Dan Higgins (tenor saxophone); Kim Hutchcroft (baritone saxophone); Gary Grant (trumpet, flugelhorn); Nolan Andrew Smith, Oscar Brashear, Sal Marquez, Steve Huffsteter , Frank Szabo (trumpet); Chuck Findley (flugelhorn); David Duke , Richard Perissi, Art Mawby, Marni Robinson, Richard Evans (French horn); Dick Hyde, Garnett Brown, Richard Hyde, Charles Loper, Maurice Spears (trombone); David Benoit, Tom Garvin (piano); Michael Ruff (organ); Marc Hugenberger (keyboards, programming); André Fischer (drums, programming); Harold Jones , Carlos Vega (drums); Larry Steelman (programming, keyboard programming); Brad Cole (programming); Denise DeCaro, Maxine Anderson, Lynn Davis , Maxi Anderson (background vocals).

Pure Schuur

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Joe Williams - A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:22
Size: 81,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:48)  1. What's New?
(3:15)  2. It's The Talk Of The Town
(3:04)  3. I'll Never Smile Again
(2:56)  4. I'm Through With Love
(2:52)  5. Where Are You?
(2:52)  6. I've Only Myself To Blame
(2:55)  7. Say It Isn't So
(2:41)  8. What Will I Tell My Heart?
(2:48)  9. You've Got Me Crying Again
(2:35) 10. Can't We Talk It Over?
(2:57) 11. I Laugh To Keep From Cryin'
(3:35) 12. A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry

When Joe Williams passed away in March of 1999 while walking home in Las Vegas, he of course was acknowledged as one of the greatest vocalists in jazz. Legions of jazz musicians enjoyed performing with him and admired the way he crafted a song, not to mention the way he knew how to add character to a big band with the sound of his voice. Nancy Wilson's respect overflowed when she interviewed him on Nancy Wilson's Jazz Profiles. A concert at the Hollywood Bowl after Williams' death attracted musicians from New York, as well as from the West Coast, so that they could honor his legacy. No male jazz singers seem to be on the horizon to even hint at recalling Williams' way of affecting an audience. But when Roulette recorded A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry , Williams' reputation was sealed for big band and blues singing, primarily because of his hit, "Every Day I Have The Blues." What A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry revealed, and what is now taken for granted, was that Williams was a supreme balladeer as well.

With lush string arrangements by Jimmy Mundy, known for his Earl Hines and Benny Goodman arrangements, Williams delivers songs like "Say It Isn't So" with an ease that proves his versatility and remarkable sense of connecting with his audience even an audience that was imagined in the recording studio during that October in 1957. Not that the arrangement detracts from Williams' talent, but he could be just as effective with a trio or in solo. His consistency throughout the CD positions him in the tradition of male romantic singers, like Sinatra, as his articulation and sense of phrasing conveys the meaning of each tune in an unmistakable clear baritone voice. For instance, he delivers a slight pause with the "gee" of "What's New" to communicate a sense of wistfulness. Or he lengthens the tones at the end of a phrase to extend its final thought. Williams' conversational style throughout this long-out-of-circulation, breakthrough CD gives evidence of his concentration upon the meaning of the tunes and how they affect the listener.

Reportedly, Nat Cole said that A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry was the best record he ever heard. With over 40 years of recorded singing accumulating since Williams' album was produced, that claim may be harder to make now because of all of the singers who have come and gone since then. But A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry certainly is one of the most important records by one of the greatest male jazz singers. It's essential to the collection of any Joe Williams enthusiast. ~ AAJ Staff  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/a-man-aint-supposed-to-cry-joe-williams-label-m-review-by-aaj-staff.php

Personnel: Joe Williams (vocals); Jimmy Jones (piano).Jimmy Mundy Orchestra

A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry

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Count Basie & Joe Williams - Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz, Big Band

Year: 1955

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 42:57

Size: 98,5 MB

Art: Front

(5:29)  1. Every Day I Have The Blues

(5:28)  2. The Comeback

(3:05)  3. All Right, Ok, You Win

(3:39)  4. In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)

(3:12)  5. Roll 'Em Pete

(3:05)  6. Teach Me Tonight

(2:58)  7. My Baby Upsets Me

(3:33)  8. Please Send Me Someone To Love

(3:48)  9. Ev'ry Day (I Fall In Love)

(3:07) 10. As I Love You

(2:37) 11. Stop! Don't!

(2:53) 12. Too Close For Comfort

Joe Williams' debut as the featured vocalist in Count Basie's band was one of those landmark moments that even savvy observers don't fully appreciate when it occurs, then realize years later how momentous an event they witnessed. Williams brought a different presence to the great Basie orchestra than the one Jimmy Rushing provided; he couldn't shout like Rushing, but he was more effective on romantic and sentimental material, while he was almost as spectacular on surging blues, up-tempo wailers, and stomping standards. Basie's band maintained an incredible groove behind Williams, who moved from authoritative statements on "Every Day I Have the Blues" and "Please Send Me Someone to Love" to brisk workouts on "Roll 'Em Pete" and his definitive hit, "All Right, OK, You Win." ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/count-basie-swings-joe-williams-sings-mw0000691298

Personnel: Count Basie (piano); Joe Williams (vocals); Marshall Royal (alto saxophone, clarinet); Bill Graham (alto saxophone); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone, flute); Frank Foster (tenor saxophone); Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophone); Wendell Culley, Reunald Jones, Thad Jones, Joe Newman (trumpet); Henry Coker, Bill Hughes, Benny Powell (trombone); Freddie Green (guitar); Eddie Jones (bass); Sonny Payne (drums).

Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings

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Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Joe Williams - One O'Clock Jump

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:06
Size: 108,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:02)  1. Too Close for Comfort
(3:35)  2. Smack Dab in the Middle
(3:27)  3. Amazing Love
(3:33)  4. Only Forever
(3:00)  5. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(3:03)  6. Stop, Pretty Baby
(4:27)  7. One O'Clock Jump
(1:55)  8. Jamboree
(2:37)  9. I Don't Like You No More
(8:30) 10. From Coast To Coast
(3:00) 11. Too Close for Comfort ( Alternative Take)
(2:20) 12. One O'Clock Jump  (EP version)
(4:33) 13. One O'Clock Jump (Alternative Take)

This recording could be considered a near-sibling to April In Paris, since several of its tracks date from sessions out of the same month. Others overlap with material cut for The Greatest! Count Basie Plays . . . Joe Williams Sings Standards, and it isn't as compelling a record, either as a Joe Williams vehicle or a Basie showcase, as either of those, though it does have its moments, most notably the original finale, Arranger Ernie Wilkins' "From Coast to Coast," an 8½-minute blow-out; the Ella Fitzgerald-Joe Williams duet on "Too Close For Comfort," and the title track, rearranged by Wilkins but close to the classic rendering, which features lively solos by Frank Wess, Benny Powell, Frank Foster, and (especially)Joe Newman and Henry Coker. 

Williams is the dominant presence on the album, singing on seven of the original 10 tracks, and his presence is a bit of a drag on some of the proceedings, especially "Only Forever." His work with Basie from this era is better represented on Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings, although he and the band acquit themselves very well here on "Stop, Pretty Baby, Stop," where all hands are firing on all cylinders at once for a change. The bonus tracks include a heavier, punchier outtake of "One O'Clock Jump" featuring the same soloists, plus a Williams-solo version of "Too Close For Comfort." The CD is a good package, with superb sound, though some historical notes would've been nice to put the sessions in perspective. A handy mid-priced reissue. ~ Bruce Eder  http://www.allmusic.com/album/one-oclock-jump-mw0000245828

Personnel: Count Basie (piano); Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Joe Williams (vocals); Freddie Green (guitar); Frank Wess (flute, tenor saxophone); Marshall Royal (clarinet, alto saxophone); Bill Graham (alto saxophone); Frank Foster (tenor saxophone); Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophone); Reunald Jones, Joe Newman , Thad Jones, Wendell Culley (trumpet); Henry Coker, Benny Powell, Bill Hughes (trombone); Sonny Payne (drums).

One O'Clock Jump

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Joe Williams, Count Basie - Greatest! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 1990
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:46
Size: 80,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:18)  1. Thou Swell
(2:49)  2. There Will Never Be Another You
(3:37)  3. Our Love Is Here To Stay
(2:35)  4. 'S Wonderful
(2:24)  5. My Baby Just Cares for Me
(3:54)  6. Nevertheless
(2:25)  7. Singin' in the Rain
(3:05)  8. I'm Beginning to See the Light
(2:27)  9. A Fine Romance
(3:58) 10. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(2:37) 11. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
(2:32) 12. This Can't Be Love

When it comes to accompanying a singer, there is probably no better jazz orchestra than the Count Basie Band. They swing so hard, that no matter who is singing with them, they seem to find a way to prop up even the best of jazz stylists. Such is the case with Joe Williams, a singer who should need no formal introduction to jazz fans. Williams' deep and rich tone is immediately recognizable and is, indeed, one of the great voices the idiom has produced. On THE GREATEST!!, Buddy Bregman's arrangements can often be angular and edgy. Other times, especially on the ballads, his arrangements are soft, mellow and lush. For example, on "My Baby Just Cares For Me," the brass shoots razor-sharp notes against a canvas of swingin' reeds. 

In contrast, on "Nevertheless," the music is serene and romantic, wistful and sentimental. Highlights on this album include the diverse and familiar "Singin' In the Rain," "A Fine Romance," and "I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me." http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1177317&style=music&fulldesc=T

Personnel: Count Basie (piano, organ); Joe Williams (vocals); Buddy Bregman (arranger); Marshall Royal (alto saxophone, clarinet); Bill Graham (alto saxophone); Frank Foster (tenor saxophone); Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophone); Thad Jones, Reunald Jones, Wendell Culley (trumpet); Henry Coker, Bill Hughes, Ben Powell (trombone); Freddie Green (guitar); Eddie Jones (bass); Sonny Payne (drums).

Greatest! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards

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Joe Williams - One More For My Baby

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1985
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:30
Size: 104,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:00)  1. Hallelujah I Love Her So
(4:30)  2. Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Morning
(2:30)  3. How Sweet It Is
(3:23)  4. Evil Man Blues
(2:16)  5. Young Man On the Way Up
(3:14)  6. Hurry on Down
(2:22)  7. When I Take My Sugar to Tea
(2:13)  8. Honeysuckle Rose
(2:55)  9. Did I Really
(2:50) 10. Loneliness, Sorrow and Grief
(3:46) 11. Imagination
(4:23) 12. One More For My Baby
(2:43) 13. Everyone Wants to Be Loved
(2:53) 14. Everybody Loves My Baby
(2:25) 15. If I Were a Bell

After leaving RCA Victor Records in 1966, Joe Williams began performing with the recently formed Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, which had some of the rhythmic impetus he had enjoyed with Count Basie. Contracted to Solid State Records, they cut two albums, a blues collection called Presenting Joe Williams And The Jazz Orchestra (1967) and a ballad set, Something Old, New And Blue (1968). This budget-priced compilation selects a mere four tracks from the former and 11 of the 12 tracks from the latter (the missing one is "Everybody Loves My Baby"). While a more complete collection might have been hoped for, the music is still impressive, as Williams re-lives the kind of sound he achieved with Basie and the Jones-Lewis organization proves itself an effective neo-swing unit. ~ William Ruhlmann  http://www.allmusic.com/album/one-for-my-baby-mw0000606981

One More For My Baby

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