Silky Denims: Tal Farlow

Showing posts with label Tal Farlow. Show all posts

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Tal Farlow - The Return Of Tal Farlow/1969

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 41:26

Size: 94.9 MB

Styles: Bop, Guitar jazz

Year: 1969/1989

Art: Front

[6:21] 1. Straight, No Chaser

[4:22] 2. Darn That Dream

[5:35] 3. Summertime

[3:57] 4. Sometime Ago

[7:28] 5. I'll Remember April

[5:57] 6. My Romance

[7:43] 7. Crazy She Calls Me

After recording a series of rewarding albums in the '50s, guitarist Tal Farlow largely dropped out of the jazz scene, being quite content to be a sign painter in New England. This Prestige set (reissued on CD) was his first in a decade and would be followed by another seven years of silence. Fortunately, Farlow had continued playing on a low-profile basis in the interim, and he was still very much in top form. Joined by pianist John Scully, bassist Jack Six and drummer Alan Dawson, Farlow performs swinging versions of seven standards, including "Straight, No Chaser," "I'll Remember April" and "Crazy, She Calls Me." Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

The Return Of Tal Farlow1969">The Return Of Tal Farlow/1969

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Tal Farlow - The More I See You (Remastered)

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:11
Size: 142,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:46) 1. The More I See You

(3:35) 2. Topsy

(5:07) 3. Tal's Blues

(3:20) 4. Little Girl Blue

(4:40) 5. Taking a Chance on Love

(5:13) 6. Yardbird Suite

(6:45) 7. Gone with the Wind

(3:07) 8. I Like to Recognize the Tune

(4:59) 9. Autumn in New York

(4:54) 10. Have You Met Miss Jones

(4:18) 11. Night and Day

(4:20) 12. And She Remembers Me

(6:00) 13. How About You

Tal Farlow was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, and was brought up in a musical atmosphere. His father played several musical instruments, including some of the fretted ones, while the piano in the house was played by his mother and his sister, who became a fine classical pianist. Tal trained as a signwriter and continued with this work throughout his life in parallel with his music. He listened to the radio and heard outside broadcasts of the big bands of the day, bands like Artie Shaw, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman. It was then that he first heard Charlie Christian playing and started to copy the solos. During the war, he was stationed in Greensboro. He worked there with a lot of musicians who had come from up north.It was sometime after this, while Tal was working for the vibraphonist Dardanelle, that he worked the Copacabana Lounge in New York. While he was there he regularly visited 52nd Street to soak up the sounds of some more of his favourite musicians, namely Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell and some of the other members of the bop era. When Jimmy (Lyons) returned, Tal and bassist Lennie de Franco (Buddy's brother) all set off to New York to get their local 802 union cards. Shortly afterwards Tal worked with the Marjorie Hyams trio. Again it was with vibes. For a while they worked at the Three Deuces opposite Charlie Parker's group, which featured Miles Davis and Al Haig. Tal seemed to have an affinity with vibraphone players - he worked with Milt Jackson when he joined Buddy de Franco's group and then, at the end of 1949, he finally joined Red Norvo's trio when he took Mundell Lowe's place. While in New York, Tal lived in an apartment house on West 93rd Street. It seems to have acted like a honey-pot on the jazz musicians in town. Guitarists Jimmy Raney and Sal Salvador lived there and others like Johnny Smith and John Collins would call by to join the frequent jam sessions held there. Various other musicians lived there from time to time, including Phil Woods, Joe Morello and Chuck Andrews. Tal probably never envisaged the success he was about to have, when he joined Red Norvo's trio. At first Tal struggled to keep up with Norvo's very fast tempos but soon improved his technique so much that he became one of the fastest guitarists in the world at that time. Within a year they were recording and soon became one of the most popular groups of the fifties, and the ideas Tal used brought him to the forefront among jazz musicians. He won the Down Beat New Star Award in 1954 and the Critics Poll in 1956.

Tal left Red in 1953, to join Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five for six months, but returned to work with him for a further year straight afterwards. When Tal left Red for the second time, he formed his own group with Eddie Costa on vibes and the bassist Vinnie Burke. Over the next three years this trio made a number of very successful records and Tal won several awards. Apart from his tremendous speed of execution he had developed a very rich sense of harmony for which his very large hands were a tremendous asset being able to stretch to play chords which most players could not reach. He also developed great facility in playing artificial harmonics and a number of other devices such as tapping the strings to give a very realistic imitation of bongo drums. The trio played regularly at the Composers Club in Manhattan until Tal married in 1958, and moved out to Seabright, New Jersey. Apart from going back to sign painting, he carried on playing with various musicians. During the 1970' Tal has been in and out of things. He participated in several albums produced by Schlitten, including the late Sonny Criss' 'Up, Up And Away' for Prestige and Sam Most's 'Mostly Flute' for Xanadu. There were two Farlow albums on Concord, and Tal did play the Newport and Concord festivals, touring a bit with a Newport group. In the 1980s Tal became much more visible. He made half a dozen recordings for the Concord label and began playing much further afield again including Europe and even Japan. His playing had developed and was now more lyrical with richer harmony than ever before although perhaps with a little trade off against outright speed. He would often deputise for one of Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, or Charlie Byrd in the “Great Guitars” band when needed. Tal continued to play concerts world wide until the mid 1990s when he slowed down a little although he still remained very busy in his native country with concerts and workshops. In 1997 he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. He continued to teach but sadly was unable to play in public any more and he passed away in 1998. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/talfarlow

The More I See You

Monday, May 16, 2022

Tal Farlow - Chromatic Palette

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1981
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:14
Size: 88,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:14) 1. All Alone
(5:58) 2. Nuages
(3:24) 3. I Hear A Rhapsody
(4:52) 4. If I Were A Bell
(4:20) 5. St. Thomas
(5:21) 6. Blue Art, Too
(4:32) 7. Stella By Starlight
(5:29) 8. One For My Baby (& One More For The Road)

This album is most notable for the interplay between veteran guitarist Tal Farlow and pianist Tommy Flanagan. With bassist Gary Mazzaroppi completing the trio, the musicians perform Tal's "Blue Art, Too" (based on a blues), plus seven superior standards, including "Nuages," "If I Were a Bell" and "St. Thomas." In general, the music is on the relaxed side but there is plenty of inner heat to be felt on the fine set. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/chromatic-palette-mw0000611946

Personnel: Tal Farlow (guitar); Tommy Flanagan (piano); Gary Mazzaroppi (bass).

Chromatic Palette

Friday, July 16, 2021

Buddy DeFranco - Cooking The Blues & Sweet & Lovely

Album: Cooking The Blues & Sweet & Lovely Disc 1

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:26
Size: 86,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:36) 1. I can't get started
(6:57) 2. Cooking the blues
(6:06) 3. Stardust
(6:51) 4. How about you
(5:07) 5. Little girl blue
(6:47) 6. Indian summer

Album: Cooking The Blues & Sweet & Lovely Disc 2

Time: 41:27
Size: 96,1 MB

(9:02) 1. Getting a balance
(6:39) 2. Old black magic
(7:19) 3. They say it's wonderful
(4:35) 4. But beautiful
(4:54) 5. The nearness of you
(4:48) 6. What can I say dear [after I say I'm sorry?]
(4:07) 7. Moe

Buddy De Franco's two albums Cooking the Blues and Sweet & Lovely contain material from three different quintet sessions featuring the same personnel. In John A. Tynan's 1958 review for Down Beat magazine, he expressed the desire to have both of the aforementioned LPs compiled in their complete form on one sole edition. His wish has finally been granted 50 years later on this CD! Lonehill. 2009. https://www.amazon.ca/Cooking-Blues-Sweet-Buddy-Defranco/dp/B001O8C5SW

Personnel: Clarinet – Buddy DeFranco; Bass – Gene Wright; Drums – Bobby White; Guitar – Tal Farlow; Piano – Sonny Clark

Cooking The Blues & Sweet & Lovely

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Tal Farlow - Cookin' on all Burners

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1982
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:01
Size: 96,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:34) 1. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
(5:05) 2. If I Should Lose You
(5:28) 3. I Wished on the Moon
(6:29) 4. I've Got the World on a String
(4:04) 5. Love Letters
(3:14) 6. Why Shouldn't I
(5:46) 7. Lullaby of the Leaves
(3:54) 8. Just Friends
(4:23) 9. I Thought About You

On the fifth of six Concord albums (a surprising amount of activity considering that he only played locally in the New England area during most of 1957-1975), the brilliant bop-based guitarist Tal Farlow performs concise renditions (none over six and a half minutes in length) of nine standards with pianist James Williams, bassist Gary Mazzaroppi, and drummer Vinnie Johnson. Highlights of the excellent straight-ahead date include "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "I've Got the World on a String," "Love Letters," and "Just Friends." ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/cookin-on-all-burners-mw0000184177

Personnel: Tal Farlow – guitar; James Williams – piano; Gary Mazzaroppi – bass; Vinnie Johnson – drums

Cookin' on all Burners

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Oscar Pettiford Sextet - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:58
Size: 91.5 MB
Styles: Bop
Year: 1954/2016
Art: Front

[9:43] 1. Burt's Pad
[5:58] 2. Marcel The Furrier
[3:07] 3. Ondine
[5:08] 4. Stardust
[2:32] 5. E-Lag
[4:26] 6. Rhumblues
[6:25] 7. Burt's Pad (Alternate Take)
[2:36] 8. E-Lag (Alternate Take)

Bass – Oscar Pettiford; Cello [In Re-recording] – Oscar Pettiford (tracks: 6); Drum – Max Roach; Guitar – Tal Farlow; Piano – Henri Renaud; Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn; Trombone – Kai Winding. Recorded in New York City by Vogue Records, March 13th, 1954. Digitally remastered from original master tapes in 24-bit (Le Source Mastering, Paris, France).

The six main selections on this CD were last released as part of a Prestige LP titled The Oscar Pettiford Memorial Album, also including four tunes from a Serge Chaloff set. The CD reissue adds two alternate takes to the excellent session which features Pettiford on occasional bass solos and (on "Rhumblues") overdubbed on cello. The superior set also features tenor saxophonist Al Cohn, trombonist Kai Winding, guitarist Tal Farlow, French pianist Henri Renaud and drummer Max Roach -- quite an all-star group. Renaud contributed two of the songs which also include numbers by Hoagy Carmichael ("Stardust"), Gerry Mulligan and both Leonard and Jane Feather. The music is straight-ahead, with "Burt's Pad" (heard in two versions) going on for over 9½ minutes. A fine CD that is easily recommended to bop collectors. ~Scott Yanow

Oscar Pettiford Sextet mc
Oscar Pettiford Sextet zippy

Friday, March 24, 2017

Anita O'Day - Jazz Round Midnight

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1997
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 55:27
Size: 92,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:40) 1. Angel Eyes
(4:03) 2. A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
(3:38) 3. We'll be together again
(3:49) 4. I cover the waterfront
(2:56) 5. If the moon turns green
(3:10) 6. Early autumn
(3:06) 7. I'm not lonely
(3:02) 8. A lover is blue
(3:22) 9. Tenderly
(2:29) 10. I'm not supposed to be blue blues
(4:15) 11. You came a long way from St'Louis
(3:36) 12. Trac'lin light
(3:57) 13. Man with a horn
(3:55) 14. I can't get started
(2:57) 15. You don't know what love is
(3:24) 16. Crazy, he calls me

In keeping with the Jazz 'Round Midnight theme, this Anita O'Day sampler errs on the mellow side of things with 16 after-hours gems from the lady of bop vocal rhythm. For fans more interested in sampling all of O'Day's talents, though, there's such well-balanced Verve collection as Jazz Masters and Compact Jazz to check out. But, if your optimal inroad to jazz vocals is a smooth one, this disc with ballad highlights like "Man With a Horn," "I'm Not Lonely," and "Early Autumn" will make for ideal listening. And while O'Day is not the first word in jazz ballads (think June Christy or Ella Fitzgerald), her beguiling delivery along with the disc's wealth of top-notch charts and amazing cast of sidemen makes up for any lack of rarefied mood moments. Packed with gems from the singer's '50s and early-'60s prime, Jazz 'Round Midnight: Anita O'Day will make the familiarizing process as easy as sipping a glass of French red. ~ Stephen Cook http://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-round-midnight-anita-oday-mw0000024656

Personnel: Anita O'Day (vocals); Herb Ellis, Howard Roberts , Al Hendrickson, Al Viola, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, Barry Galbraith (guitar); Corky Hale (harp); Lou Raderman, Dan Lube (violin); Virginia Majewski (viola); Walter Levinsky (clarinet, alto saxophone); Bud Shank (woodwinds, alto saxophone); Jimmy Giuffre (woodwinds, baritone saxophone); Alex Harding (woodwinds); Joe Maini (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Herb Geller, Lennie Niehaus, Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Georgie Auld, Jerome Richardson, Richie Kamuca, Zoot Sims, Bill Perkins, Bob Cooper (tenor saxophone); Chuck Gentry, Jack DuLong (baritone saxophone); Stu Williamson (trumpet, trombone); Conrad Gozzo , Conte Candoli, Phil Gilbert, Bill Catalano, John Anderson , Herb Pomeroy, Jack Sheldon, Jules Chaiken, Al Porcino, Pete Candoli, Ray Linn, Ray Triscari, Sam Noto, Lee Katzman (trumpet); Milt Bernhart, Richard Taylor "Dick" Nash , Lou McCreary, Frank Rosolino, George Roberts , Kent Larsen, Willie Dennis , Kenny Shroyer, Bob Enevoldsen, Archie LeCoque, Jim Amlotte, Lloyd Ulyate (trombone); Paul Smith (piano, celesta); Bud Lavin, Robert Corwin , Hank Jones , Jimmy Rowles, Lonnie Hewitt, Marty Paich, Oscar Peterson, Russ Freeman (piano); Larry Bunker (vibraphone, drums); Bob Brookmeyer, Cal Tjader (vibraphone); Johnny Rae, Mel Lewis, Alvin Stoller, John Poole (drums).

Jazz Round Midnight

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Various - A Night Out With Verve (4-Disc Box Set)

A Night Out With Verve highlights five decades of remarkable jazz taken from the Verve catalog, spread out over four discs titled "Wining," "Dining," "Dancing," and "Romancing." This budget-priced box set includes 65 performances from jazz luminaries including Oscar Peterson, Sonny Rollins, Michel Legrand, Sarah Vaughan, Stan Getz, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Shirley Horn. Whether it's a night out on the town or a simple romantic evening, A Night Out With Verve has a great deal to offer die-hard jazz fans and casual listeners alike. ~Al Campbell

Album: A Night Out With Verve (Disc 1)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 67:04

Size: 153.6 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz, Bop, Standards, Jazz/Blues/Soul

Year: 2000

[2:22] 1. Oscar Peterson Trio - Come Dance With Me

[3:22] 2. Dizzy Gillespie - There Is No Greater Love

[2:39] 3. Kenny Burrell - As Long As I Live

[3:37] 4. Coleman Hawkins - I Wished On The Moon

[3:25] 5. Junior Mance - A Smooth One

[3:00] 6. Johnny Hodges - On The Sunny Side Of The Street

[2:55] 7. Anita O'day - Whisper Not

[3:48] 8. Joe Pass - Li'l Darlin'

[4:25] 9. Monty Alexander - Love You Madly

[5:34] 10. George Benson - What's New

[6:17] 11. Tal Farlow - Broadway

[6:19] 12. Sonny Rollins - You Are Too Beautiful

[4:36] 13. Wynton Kelly - Portrait Of Jenny

[5:49] 14. Gerry Mulligan - Fall Out

[3:05] 15. Michel Legrand - La Vie En Rose

[5:45] 16. Roy Eldridge - I Still Love Him So

Album: A Night Out With Verve (Disc 2)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 67:49

Size: 155.2 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz, Bop, Standards, Jazz/Blues/Soul

Year: 2000

[2:38] 1. Kenny Burrell - If I Had You

[5:21] 2. Joe Henderson - Once I Loved (Amor Em Paz)

[3:53] 3. Sarah Vaughan - Isn't It A Pity

[4:46] 4. Bill Evans - My Foolish Heart

[5:36] 5. Art Blakey - I Remember Clifford

[4:42] 6. Jim Hall - It's Nice To Be With You

[4:25] 7. The New Stan Getz Quartet - It Might As Well Be Spring

[3:40] 8. Benny Carter - Isn't It Romantic

[3:50] 9. Ella Fitzgerald - When A Woman Loves A Man

[6:25] 10. George Shearing - This Can't Be Love

[5:51] 11. Chet Baker - You Go To My Head

[5:03] 12. Tal Farlow - Autumn In New York

[4:40] 13. Stan Getz - But Beautiful

[2:21] 14. Astrud Gilberto - Agua De Beber

[4:29] 15. Sonny Rollins - Manhattan

A Night Out With Verve Disc1,Disc2

Album: A Night Out With Verve (Disc 3)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 63:49

Size: 146.1 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz, Bop, Standards, Jazz/Blues/Soul

Year: 2000

[2:44] 1. Fred Astaire - (Ad Lib) Fast Dances

[3:57] 2. Ella Fitzgerald - Party Blues

[7:14] 3. James Clay - Sister Sadie

[2:14] 4. Jimmy Smith - Organ Grinder's Swing

[4:34] 5. Duke Ellington - Perdido

[2:23] 6. Harry James & His Orchestra - Back Beat Boogie

[4:06] 7. Marlena Shaw - At Last

[5:40] 8. Louis Armstrong - Little Girl Blue

[3:36] 9. Stan Getz - Só Danço Samba

[7:20] 10. Cassandra Wilson - Shall We Dance

[3:59] 11. Buddy Defranco - Rose Room

[4:12] 12. Benny Goodman - King Porter Stomp

[4:27] 13. Nicholas Payton - Taking A Chance On Love

[5:14] 14. Count Basie - Corner Pocket

[2:01] 15. Fred Astaire - (Ad Lib) Medium Dance

Album: A Night Out With Verve (Disc 4)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 69:08

Size: 158.3 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz, Bop, Standards, Jazz/Blues/Soul

Year: 2000

Art: Front

[4:01] 1. Sarah Vaughan - I've Got A Crush On You

[4:04] 2. Billie Holiday - It Had To Be You

[5:32] 3. John Coltrane - You're A Weaver Of Dreams

[3:05] 4. Al Hibbler - This Love Of Mine

[3:06] 5. Don Byas - Misty

[3:01] 6. Dinah Washington - Invitation

[5:35] 7. Abbey Lincoln - The Nearness Of You

[3:51] 8. Stéphane Grappelli - Time After Time

[4:04] 9. Billy Eckstine - Imagination

[4:34] 10. Lester Young - That's All

[2:53] 11. Mel Tormé - I Should Care

[2:55] 12. Miles Davis - 'Round Midnight

[3:34] 13. Roland Kirk Quartet - Someone To Watch Over Me

[3:06] 14. Johnny Hartman - It's Easy To Remember

[2:15] 15. Ella Fitzgerald - Reaching For The Moon

[3:00] 16. Shirley Horn - You Don't Know Me

[4:41] 17. The Ben Webster Quintet - Where Are You

[2:13] 18. Louis Armstrong - There's No You

[3:30] 19. Clifford Brown - Memories Of You

A Night Out With Verve Disc3, Disc4

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Various - The Complete Cole Porter Songbooks (3-Disc Set)

This is not and cannot be the Complete Cole Porter Songbooks, but it's a marvelous collection of 48 timeless jazz interpretations drawn from the Verve catalog. Recorded between 1951 and 1988, these standards, ballads and show tunes are rendered by some 15 vocalists, many of whom appear twice, and about 13 instrumental groups. In addition to the usual suspects (Ella, Louis, Sarah, Dinah, and Lady Day) there are fine performances by Abbey Lincoln, Anita O'Day, Billy Eckstine, Mel Tormé, Blossom Dearie, Shirley Horn, Betty Carter, Helen Merrill, Morgana King and Fred Astaire. The instrumentalists -- and this is most fulfilling because Cole Porter's music is an essential strand in the DNA of swing, bop, and mainstream jazz -- include Ben Webster, Sonny Stitt, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Stan Getz, Al Cohn, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, Bill Evans, Tal Farlow, and Jim Hall. That makes this a portable jazz library of considerable potency, pungency and depth. Also quite valuable as a tool for learning and appreciating some of Porter's very best songs. First prize for both artistic magnitude and friendly intimacy goes to Louis Armstrong and Oscar Peterson for their fabulously relaxed, nearly nine-minute rendition of "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love." ~arwulf arwulf

Album: The Complete Cole Porter Songbooks (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:04
Size: 153.6 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Jazz
Year: 1990

[5:26] 1. Dinah Washington - I've Got You Under My Skin
[3:50] 2. Shirley Horn - Love For Sale
[8:41] 3. Louis Armstrong - Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)
[3:20] 4. Ella Fitzgerald - Anything Goes
[2:54] 5. Mel Tormé - What Is This Thing Called Love
[4:17] 6. Helen Merrill - You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[2:27] 7. Oscar Peterson Trio - At Long Last Love
[1:57] 8. Anita O'day - I Love You
[4:01] 9. Louis Armstrong - Just One Of Those Things
[2:42] 10. Sarah Vaughan - It's De-Lovely
[2:48] 11. The Russell Garcia Orchestra - Always True To You In My Fashion
[2:42] 12. Fred Astaire - I Concentrate On You
[6:17] 13. Dinah Washington - I Get A Kick Out Of You
[3:47] 14. Billy Eckstine - In The Still Of The Night
[2:59] 15. Billie Holiday - Easy To Love
[3:03] 16. Ella Fitzgerald - Night And Day
[5:47] 17. Betty Carter - Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

The Complete Cole Porter Songbooks (Disc 1)

Album: The Complete Cole Porter Songbooks (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:41
Size: 127.5 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Jazz
Year: 1990

[4:16] 1. Louis Armstrong - I Get A Kick Out Of You
[2:52] 2. Anita O'day - My Heart Belongs To Daddy
[3:10] 3. Ella Fitzgerald - I've Got You Under My Skin
[3:02] 4. Helen Merrill - How's The World Treating You
[4:23] 5. Dinah Washington - So In Love
[2:44] 6. Mel Tormé - Too Darn Hot
[2:29] 7. Sarah Vaughan - Just One Of Those Things
[2:49] 8. Shirley Horn - Get Out Of Town
[2:55] 9. Billie Holiday - Love For Sale
[3:09] 10. Anita O'day - From This Moment On
[4:56] 11. Fred Astaire - Night And Day
[2:37] 12. Blossom Dearie - Give Him The Ooh-La-La
[3:14] 13. Morgana King - Ev'rything I Love
[3:53] 14. Ella Fitzgerald - Miss Otis Regrets
[3:29] 15. Helen Merrill - All Of You
[2:29] 16. Louis Armstrong - You're The Top
[3:04] 17. Betty Carter - Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love

The Complete Cole Porter Songbooks (Disc 2)

Album: The Complete Cole Porter Songbooks (Disc 3)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:08
Size: 146.8 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Jazz
Year: 1990
Art: Front

[2:35] 1. Charlie Parker - What Is This Thing Called Love
[4:57] 2. Al Cohn - Love For Sale
[2:53] 3. Art Tatum - Begin The Beguine
[5:58] 4. Dizzy Gillespie - My Heart Belongs To Daddy
[4:49] 5. Max Roach Sextet - Get Out Of Town
[4:43] 6. Sonny Stitt - Easy To Love
[7:36] 7. Max Roach Quintet - I Get A Kick Out Of You
[6:44] 8. Stan Getz - Night And Day
[3:48] 9. Bud Powell - Just One Of Those Things
[4:15] 10. Coleman Hawkins - You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[5:08] 11. Tal Farlow Trio - Anything Goes
[2:35] 12. All Star Big Band - I Love You
[3:21] 13. Jim Hall - I've Got You Under My Skin
[4:41] 14. Max Roach Sextet - I Concentrate On You

The Complete Cole Porter Songbooks (Disc 3)

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Tal Farlow - Trilogy

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:39
Size: 122.8 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1981/2009
Art: Front

[5:59] 1. My Shining Hour
[5:12] 2. I Hear A Rhapsody
[7:05] 3. Falling In Love With Love
[4:18] 4. If I Should Lose You
[3:58] 5. Flamingo
[4:24] 6. Angel Eyes
[6:38] 7. There Is No Greater Love
[6:06] 8. But Not For Me
[5:55] 9. The Wolf And The Lamb
[4:00] 10. Funk Among The Keys

Bass – Lyn Christie; Guitar – Tal Farlow; Piano – Mike Nock, Drums - Bob Jaspe.

This lesser-known LP was originally released by Japanese Columbia, was made available domestically by Inner City in 1981 and then went out of print when the label folded. The music is typically excellent (Tal Farlow has yet to record an unworthy date), with the very fluent bop guitarist jamming on seven standards and two originals with pianist Mike Nock, bassist Lynn Christie and (on just one song) drummer Bob Jaspe. Pick this one up if you see it. ~Scott Yanow

Trilogy

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Sonny Criss - Up, Up And Away

Styles: Saxophone Jazz

Year: 1998

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 37:21

Size: 85,7 MB

Art: Front

(5:32) 1. Up, Up And Away

(5:13) 2. Willow Weep For Me

(6:23) 3. This Is For Benny

(5:55) 4. Sunny

(6:46) 5. Scrapple From The Apple

(7:29) 6. Paris Blues

Altoist Sonny Criss' Prestige recordings of the late 1960s generally included a current pop tune or two along with some stronger jazz pieces. This 1998 CD reissue is of particular interest because the intense altoist is teamed with guitarist Tal Farlow (who had recently come out of retirement before slipping back into obscurity for a few more years), pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Lenny McBrowne. "Up, Up and Away" (the Fifth Dimension hit) has more challenging chord changes than one would think and, although "Sunny" is lightweight, Criss really digs in and uplifts it. In addition, the leader overflows "Willow Weep for Me" with soul, plays a strong solo on Horace Tapscott's "This Is for Benny" and displays his blues roots on "Paris Blues." However the highpoint is a burning rendition of "Scrapple from the Apple" that finds Criss and Farlow engaged in torrid trade-offs. So overall this CD is more rewarding than it might appear at first glance. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/up-up-and-away-mw0000041279

Personnel: Sonny Criss (alto saxophone); Cedar Walton (piano); Tal Farlow (guitar); Bob Cranshaw (bass); Lenny McBrowne (drums).

Up, Up And Away

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Tal Farlow - The Swinging Guitar Of Tal Farlow

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:15
Size: 145,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:47) 1. Taking a Chance on Love
(5:19) 2. Yardbird Suite
(5:43) 3. You Stepped Out of a Dream
(5:46) 4. The Can't Take That Away From Me
(6:42) 5. Like Someone in Love
(6:39) 6. Meteor
(5:48) 7. I Love You
(6:48) 8. Gone With the Wind
(5:10) 9. Taking a Chance on Love (alternative take)
(5:04) 10. Yardbird Suite (alternative take)
(5:26) 11. Gone With the Wind (alternative take)

The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow not only presents Farlow at his swinging best but also features the brilliant pianist Eddie Costa in one of his too few recordings. In many ways this is a duet recording with Farlow and Costa playing off of each other above a traditional bass accompaniment. In this case "play" is no casual adjective, the chemistry between Farlow and Costa is extraordinary with lively intertwining solos and double voicings demonstrating their intuitive rapport. Bassist Vinnie Burke is also capable of impressive solo work as demonstrated on "They Can't Take That Away From Me" in which he rises out of his supportive role to dominate the stage with a long, imaginative solo. Burke usually plays with a deep, walking bass solidity which contrasts with the often fleet, ringing guitar lines of Farlow; both crucial contributions to the success of this trio's unique "sound." Eddie Costa, who died six years later at the age of 32, was already a complete pianist at the time of this recording. He provides Farlow and Burke with sensitive and challenging comping while his solo work is always quirky and interesting revealing a percussive quality that suggests the indirect influence of his other instrument the vibes.

Tal Farlow has never played more fluidly, displaying a rhythmic ease and agility that is sometimes startling. In this mix of swing and boppish tunes, his solo on "Yardbird Suite" is "evidence enough that at his best he belongs with Charlie Christian and Chuck Wayne as one of the early masters of the be-bop guitar. Farlow, Costa, and Burke - this was quite a trio, an exciting jazz trio that knew what playing together was all about. ~ Mike Neely http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-swinging-guitar-of-tal-farlow-tal-farlow-verve-music-group-review-by-mike-neely.php

Personnel: Tal Farlow, guitar; Eddie Costa, piano; and Vinnie Burke, bass.

The Swinging Guitar Of Tal Farlow

Monday, March 14, 2016

Tal Farlow - Autumn In New York

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1954
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:44
Size: 82,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:12) 1. I Like To Recognize The Tune
(3:29) 2. Strike Up The Band
(5:06) 3. Autumn In New York
(4:25) 4. And She Remembers Me
(3:25) 5. Little Girl Blue
(4:59) 6. Have You Met Miss Jones
(5:13) 7. Tal's Blues
(4:50) 8. Cherokee

A generally relaxed date (only "Cherokee" is uptempo), Tal Farlow's pretty tone and tasteful improvising style are the main reasons to search for this disc. Pianist Gerry Wiggins, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Chico Hamilton offer quiet and swinging support of the great guitarist, who performs two originals ("And She Remembers Me" and "Tal's Blues"), plus six superior standards. All of Farlow's Verve releases of the '50s are recommended. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/autumn-in-new-york-mw0000347284

Personnel: Tal Farlow – guitar; Gerry Wiggins – piano; Ray Brown – bass; Chico Hamilton – drums

Autumn In New York

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Tal Farlow - The Complete Verve Sessions (Discs 6 & 7 of 7)

Album: The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 6)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:50
Size: 137.0 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[4:10] 1. Lean On Me
[4:51] 2. Wonder Why
[4:20] 3. Night And Day
[3:31] 4. Stella By Starlight
[4:48] 5. The More I See You
[4:21] 6. All The Things You Are
[4:11] 7. How Long Has This Been Going On
[3:36] 8. Topsy
[3:27] 9. 'deed I Do
[3:23] 10. We'll Be Together Again (Take 3)
[4:29] 11. We'll Be Together Again (Take 1)
[3:17] 12. We'll Be Together Again (Take 2)
[3:52] 13. The More I See You
[5:24] 14. 'deed I Do
[2:03] 15. We'll Be Together Again

The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 6)

Album: The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 7)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:05
Size: 169.6 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:20] 1. A Foggy Day
[4:45] 2. The Man In My Life
[5:25] 3. Sweet Lorraine
[4:36] 4. Wess Side
[6:26] 5. Telefunky
[7:39] 6. Blue Funk
[5:12] 7. Saratoga
[6:47] 8. Blues In The Night
[4:54] 9. Hit The Road To Dreamland
[4:22] 10. For Every Man There's A Woman
[6:31] 11. As Long As I Live
[3:04] 12. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
[4:38] 13. Petticoat High
[3:09] 14. One Step-Two Step
[3:11] 15. Lessons In Love

The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 7)

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Tal Farlow - The Complete Verve Sessions (Discs 4 & 5 of 7)

Album: The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 4)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 61:28

Size: 140.7 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2011

Art: Front

[4:41] 1. Taking A Chance On Love

[5:15] 2. Yardbird Suite

[5:39] 3. You Stepped Out Of A Dream

[5:42] 4. They Can't Take That Away From Me

[6:38] 5. Like Someone In Love

[6:36] 6. Meteor

[5:31] 7. I Love You

[5:19] 8. Gone With The Wind

[4:45] 9. Taking A Chance On Love

[4:48] 10. Yardbird Suite

[5:24] 11. Gone With The Wind

[1:06] 12. Taking A Chance On Love (Breakdown)

The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 4)

Album: The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 5)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 46:35

Size: 106.6 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2011

Art: Front

[10:08] 1. Isn't It Romantic

[ 3:55] 2. There Is No Greater Love

[ 6:00] 3. How About You

[ 5:07] 4. Anything Goes

[ 5:51] 5. Yesterdays

[ 4:19] 6. You Don't Know What Love Is

[ 4:55] 7. Chuckles

[ 6:16] 8. Broadway

The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 5)

Friday, September 11, 2015

Tal Farlow - The Complete Verve Sessions (Discs 2 & 3 of 7)

Album: The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 2)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 66:18

Size: 151.8 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2011

Art: Front

[2:50] 1. These Foolish Things

[4:12] 2. I Remember You

[3:58] 3. How Deep Is The Ocean

[3:48] 4. Fascinating Rhythm

[3:15] 5. Manhattan

[1:40] 6. Autumn Leaves

[3:25] 7. It's You Or No One

[4:34] 8. Tenderly

[3:45] 9. There Will Never Be Another You

[3:01] 10. Just One Of Those Things

[5:26] 11. Out Of Nowhere

[5:26] 12. Walkin'

[4:23] 13. Moonlight Becomes You

[4:07] 14. On The Alamo

[4:00] 15. Will You Still Be Mine

[4:14] 16. Lorinesque

[4:07] 17. Bye Bye Baby

The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 2)

Album: The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 3)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 61:22

Size: 140.5 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2011

Art: Front

[3:44] 1. Lullaby Of The Leaves

[3:15] 2. Stompin' At The Savoy

[3:04] 3. This Is Always

[2:54] 4. Tea For Two

[7:06] 5. I Wished On The Moon

[6:45] 6. Swinging Till The Girls Come Home

[5:35] 7. Jordu

[4:40] 8. The Way You Look Tonight

[8:33] 9. Bernie's Tune

[7:05] 10. I Wished On The Moon

[8:37] 11. Bernie's Tune (Take 3)

The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 3)

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Tal Farlow - The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 1 of 7)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:48
Size: 171.2 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[2:49] 1. Tenderly
[3:22] 2. I Remember You
[3:15] 3. Skylark
[2:42] 4. If There's Someone Lovelier Than You
[2:59] 5. With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair
[3:32] 6. My Old Flame
[2:42] 7. Gibson Boy
[3:39] 8. You And The Night And The Music
[2:42] 9. Love Nest
[2:48] 10. Blues In The Closet
[3:27] 11. Everything I've Got
[3:00] 12. With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair
[3:26] 13. Ev'rything I've Got
[3:08] 14. I Like To Recognize The Tune
[3:25] 15. Strike Up The Band
[5:02] 16. Autumn In New York
[4:22] 17. And She Remembers Me
[3:22] 18. Little Girl Blue
[4:56] 19. Have You Met Miss Jones
[5:09] 20. Tal's Blues
[4:50] 21. Cherokee

Tal Farlow, was an innovative self-taught jazz guitarist who influenced generations of guitarists following in his footsteps. Although some of his peak years as a recording artist occurred during his association with Verve between 1954 and 1959, relatively few of the tracks were available for decades until the release of this comprehensive Mosaic box set. The music is consistently brilliant, as the leader's solos seem to evolve effortlessly, often finding fresh ground in the many standards and classic jazz compositions performed in this set. Aside from the three opening tracks from Farlow's days as a member of vibraphonist Red Norvo's trio, the guitarist is the leader. His meeting with fellow guitarist Barry Galbraith (with bassist Oscar Pettiford and a surprisingly restrained Joe Morello on drums) is highlighted by his intricate original "Gibson Boy." The sessions with pianist Gerry Wiggins, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Chico Hamilton focus primarily on standards, though "And She Remembers Me" is an obvious reworking of "I'll Remember April"; the rapid-fire take of "Cherokee" takes top honors. Two separate dates with pianist Claude Williamson and bassist Red Mitchell (one which adds drummer Stan Levey) stick exclusively to standards, with plenty of lively interplay. Two sessions with West Coast stylists including valve trombonist Bob Enevoldsen, tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins, and baritone saxophonist Bob Gordon complement Farlow's sound very well. It is surprising that producer Norman Granz did not initially release a unique date with Oscar Pettiford (on cello) as a second front-line instrument, with the outstanding rhythm section of Hank Jones, Ray Brown, and Louie Bellson. Highlights from this meeting include the cellist's "Swingin' Till the Girls Come Home," "Jordu," and two takes of "Bernie's Tune." A regular working trio led by Farlow with pianist Eddie Costa (who died far too young following a car wreck in 1962) and bassist Vinnie Burke produced three separate albums (with Knobby Totah or Bill Takas taking Burke's place on the final session). The chemistry between Farlow and Costa is readily apparent. Another musician who died far too young, Belgian flutist and tenor saxophonist Bobby Jaspar, joined the guitarist, bassist Milt Hinton, and drummer Osie Johnson for three numbers featuring Farlow on an acoustic instrument for the first time, producing the kind of jazz that only true aficionados can appreciate. A larger group with saxophonist and flutist Frank Wess, trombonist Benny Powell, pianist Dick Hyman, and baritone saxophonist Charles Fowlkes delves into the music of Harold Arlen, including several long overlooked songs composed for the musical Saratoga along with some of his best-known works, though at times their unfamiliarity with some of the tunes and each other is apparent. The detailed booklet contains many rare photos of Farlow and the men who worked with him, along with an informative analysis by fellow guitarist Howard Alden. This limited-edition collection should be on every jazz guitar fan's wish list. ~Ken Dryden

Discs 2 - 7 over the next few days.
The Complete Verve Sessions (Disc 1)

Monday, July 13, 2015

George Shearing, Red Norvo - Midnight On Cloud 69

Styles: Piano And Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:49
Size: 90,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:21) 1. Sorry Wrong Rumba
(2:50) 2. Cotton Top
(3:04) 3. Be Bop's Fables
(3:10) 4. Midnight On Cloud 69
(3:50) 5. Little White Lies
(4:11) 6. I'm Yours
(3:13) 7. Moon Over Miami
(2:44) 8. Cherokee
(3:11) 9. Life With Feather
(2:24) 10. Four Bars Short
(2:37) 11. Time And Tide
(4:08) 12. Night And Day

For a long stretch of time in the 1950s and early '60s, George Shearing had one of the most popular jazz combos on the planet so much so that, in the usual jazz tradition of distrusting popular success, he tended to be underappreciated. Shearing's main claim to fame was the invention of a unique quintet sound, derived from a combination of piano, vibraphone, electric guitar, bass, and drums. Within this context, Shearing would play in a style he called "locked hands," which he picked up and refined from Milt Buckner's early-'40s work with the Lionel Hampton band, as well as Glenn Miller's sax section and the King Cole Trio. Stating the melody on the piano with closely knit, harmonized block chords, with the vibes and guitar tripling the melody in unison, Shearing sold tons of records for MGM and Capitol in his heyday. The wild success of this urbane sound obscures Shearing's other great contribution during this time, for he was also a pioneer of exciting, small-combo Afro-Cuban jazz in the '50s.

Indeed, Cal Tjader first caught the Latin jazz bug while playing with Shearing, and the English bandleader also employed such esteemed congueros as Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, and Armando Peraza. As a composer, Shearing was best known for the imperishable, uniquely constructed bop standard "Lullaby of Birdland," as well as "Conception" and "Consternation." His solo style, though all his own, reflected the influences of the great boogie-woogie pianists and classical players, as well as those of Fats Waller, Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson, Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, and Bud Powell and fellow pianists long admired his light, refined touch. He was also known to play accordion and sing in a modest voice on occasion.

Shearing, who was born blind, began playing the piano at the age of three, receiving some music training at the Linden Lodge School for the Blind in London as a teenager but picking up the jazz influence from Teddy Wilson and Fats Waller 78s. In the late '30s, he started playing professionally with the Ambrose dance band and made his first recordings in 1937 under the aegis of fellow Brit Leonard Feather. He became a star in Britain, performing for the BBC, playing a key role in the self-exiled Stéphane Grappelli's London-based groups of the early '40s, and winning seven consecutive Melody Maker polls before emigrating in New York City in 1947 at the prompting of Feather. Once there, Shearing quickly absorbed bebop into his bloodstream, replacing Garner in the Oscar Pettiford Trio and leading a quartet in tandem with Buddy DeFranco. In 1949, he formed the first and most famous of his quintets, which included Marjorie Hyams on vibes (thus striking an important blow for emerging female jazz instrumentalists), Chuck Wayne on guitar, John Levy on bass, and Denzil Best on drums. Recording briefly first for Discovery, then Savoy, Shearing settled into lucrative associations with MGM (1950-1955) and Capitol (1955-1969), the latter for which he made albums with Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee, and Nat King Cole.

He also made a lone album for Jazzland with the Montgomery Brothers (including Wes Montgomery) in 1961, and began playing concert dates with symphony orchestras. After leaving Capitol, Shearing began to phase out his by-then-predictable quintet, finally breaking it up in 1978. He started his own label, Sheba, which lasted for a few years into the early '70s and made some trio recordings for MPS later in the decade. In the '70s, his profile had been lowered considerably, but upon signing with Concord in 1979, Shearing found himself enjoying a renaissance in all kinds of situations. He made a number of acclaimed albums with Mel Tormé, raising the singer's profile in the process, and recorded with the likes of Ernestine Anderson, Jim Hall, Marian McPartland, Hank Jones, and classical French horn player Barry Tuckwell. He also recorded a number of solo piano albums where his full palette of influences came into play. He signed with Telarc in 1992 and from that point through the early 2000s continued to perform and record, most often appearing in a duo or trio setting. Shearing, who had remained largely inactive since 2004 after a fall in his New York City apartment, died of congestive heart failure at New York's Lenox Hill Hospital on February 14, 2011. He was 91.

Bio ~ Richard S.Ginell http://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-shearing-mn0000642664/biography

Personnel: George Shearing (piano); Marjorie Hyams, Red Norvo (vibraphone); Tal Farlow, Chuck Farlow (guitar); John Levy, Charles Mingus (bass); Denzil Best (drums).

Midnight On Cloud 69

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Tal Farlow & Lenny Breau - Chance Meeting: Music From The Soundtrack Of Talmadge Farlow

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:36
Size: 129.6 MB
Styles: Post bop, Guitar jazz, Soundtrack
Year: 1997/2014
Art: Front

[ 5:22] 1. I Love You
[ 7:00] 2. Satin Doll
[ 8:37] 3. My Funny Valentine
[11:29] 4. All The Things You Are
[ 2:33] 5. Conversation (Tal And Lenny)
[ 4:28] 6. Cherokee
[ 4:15] 7. What Is This Thing Called Love
[ 5:50] 8. Broadway
[ 6:58] 9. My Foolish Heart

The one-time meeting between guitarists Tal Farlow and Lenny Breau came about because Lorenzo DeStefano, who was making a PBS documentary (Talmage Farlow) in 1980, wanted a meeting between the veteran and a rising star. Farlow suggested Breau, and an invitation was extended and immediately accepted by the younger man. After the musicians spent time conversing in Farlow's New Jersey home, they moved to The Sign of the Times, a small nightclub in the tiny town of Rumson, to weave their musical magic. Although this was their first and only performance together, they complement one another's playing as if they had worked as a regular duo. Breau, on his seven-string guitar, is a bundle of energy most of the time, with flurries of notes accompanied by his flawless rhythm. Of course, the senior player is no slouch as a soloist on any of the eight standards heard on this CD, which include "I Love You," "My Funny Valentine," and "What Is This Thing Called Love?" Bassist Lynn Christie and drummer Nat Garrantano are added for the smoking interpretations of "All the Things You Are" and "Cherokee." There's also a brief excerpt of a conversation between Breau and Farlow in the middle of the disc, during which Breau explains a bit about his technique and his familiarity with Farlow's recordings. It's too bad that this enjoyable session was only a one-time affair. ~Ken Dryden

Chance Meeting: Music From The Soundtrack Of Talmadge Farlow

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

The Red Norvo Trio - The Savoy Sessions

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:02
Size: 144.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Vibraphone jazz
Year: 1995/2010
Art: Front

[2:51] 1. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
[2:31] 2. Time And Tide
[3:43] 3. Little White Lies
[4:02] 4. Prelude To A Kiss
[2:35] 5. Move
[3:30] 6. September Song
[4:01] 7. I'm Yours
[2:24] 8. I Get A Kick Out Of You
[3:25] 9. Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart
[2:38] 10. Cheek To Cheek
[4:05] 11. Night And Day
[4:08] 12. Godchild
[3:29] 13. Mood Indigo
[4:06] 14. If I Had You
[1:50] 15. Deed I Do
[3:18] 16. I'll Remember April
[2:28] 17. This Can't Be Love
[2:21] 18. I've Got You Under My Skin
[2:25] 19. Swedish Pastry
[3:01] 20. Have You Met Miss Jones

One of the first great improvisers on the xylophone and marimba, Red Norvo was also one of the few swing-era stars to make a successful transition to the harmonic and rhythmic challenges of bebop (he recorded with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie in 1945). By that time he had switched up to a vibraphone--a more versatile instrument with its amplified sound and sustain pedal--but his steely rhythmic articulation always reflected his experiences as an acoustic mallet player.

THE RED NORVO TRIO WITH TAL FARLOW AND CHARLES MINGUS chronicles his 1950-51 recordings with the innovative guitarist and bass player, and are among the most influential examples of what has come to be known as chamber jazz. When economic conditions made touring with a sextet impossible, Norvo decided to dispense with a rhythm section. In Farlow and Mingus he found players who shared his fascination with sophisticated harmonies, and were able to hang with him at the brisk tempos he favored.

Thanks to their elaborately crafted arrangements, the trio created a full orchestral dimension and a powerful rhythmic thrust. On "Prelude To A Kiss," Mingus' rich arco work triggers several cunning thematic variations, while Norvo's tart dissonances behind Farlow's solo create a harmonic tension which is only resolved during his own improvisation--together, they create a series of fanciful motifs behind Mingus' solo. Denzel Best's "Move" is driven along by Mingus' articulate, up-tempo melodic variations, as Norvo and Farlow navigate his equestrian changes with imperturbable refinement. Farlow's witty percussive effects on "Night And Day" and Mingus' flamboyant bowing on "Time And Tide" make it seem as if the musicians are playing with roses between their teeth. From the classical grandeur of "I'll Remember April" to the boppish drive "Godchild" and "Swedish Pastry," the wit and technical range of this band is phenomenal.

Recording Date: October 31, 1950 - April 13, 1951

The Savoy Sessions