Various - We're Swingin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:48
Size: 102.6 MB
Styles: Retro Swing
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[4:44] 1. Bellevue Cadillac - Prozac
[4:37] 2. Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums - Jumptown
[3:08] 3. Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88's - Straight Eight
[3:44] 4. The Swingtips - Checkbook Daddy-O
[3:42] 5. Bill Elliott - Mildred, Won't You Behave
[2:34] 6. Speak Easy Spies - Hey Kat
[5:32] 7. Lee Press-On & The Nails - Big Pants Dance
[4:01] 8. The Acme Swing Co. - Warm It Up
[3:58] 9. Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers - What's The Matter With You
[2:08] 10. Louis Prima - Lip
[3:49] 11. New York Jimmy & The Jive Five - She Won't Dance
[2:47] 12. New Morty Show - Knockin' At Your Door

As they say within, 'Jump, joy and swing your blues away'. ~Stephem Cramer

We're Swingin'

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Bobby Solo - Greatest Hits (Re-Recordings)

Size: 100,8 MB
Time: 42:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: Pop Rock
Label: Azzurra Music
Art: Front

01. Una Lacrima Sul Viso (Re-Recording) (3:20)
02. Non Ce Piu Nienta Da Fare (Re-Recording) (2:48)
03. Christina (Re-Recording) (2:28)
04. Siesta (Re-Recording) (2:58)
05. Zingara (Re-Recording) (2:18)
06. Se Piangi, Se Ridi (Re-Recording) (2:47)
07. Non Posso Perderti (Re-Recording) (3:28)
08. Domenica D'agosto (Re-Recording) (1:52)
09. La Casa Del Signore (Crying In The Chapel - Re-Recording) (2:39)
10. Gelosia (Re-Recording) (3:26)
11. San Francisco (Re-Recording) (3:13)
12. Una Granita Di Limone (If You Can Put It In A Bottle - Re-Recording) (2:35)
13. Quello Sbagliato (Re-Recording) (2:54)
14. Credi A Me (Re-Recording) (2:23)
15. Canta Ragazzina (Re-Recording) (3:25)

Italian 1960s teen idol Bobby Solo made his debut while recording his first two singles in 1963, "Ora Che Sei Gia Una Donna" and "Blue é Blue." The artist's breakthrough came in 1964 after participating in San Remo's Festival, where he sang "Una Lacrima Sul Viso," which became an important episode in the Italian pop music history. A year later, Bobby Solo came in first place at the same event with "Se Piangi, Se Ridi" and one more time in 1969 after singing Gianni Morandi's "Zingara," later recorded by Connie Francis. The singer/songwriter's self-titled debut album was followed by Il Secondo LP and La Vie En Rose. In 1978, the disco version of "Una Lacrima Sul Viso" put his name back on local and European charts. ~by Drago Bonacich

Greatest Hits

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Grover Washington Jr. - The Essential Grover Washington Jr.: The Columbia Years

Size: 174,2+172,6 MB
Time: 75:02+74:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Soul, Crossover Jazz
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Loran's Dance (Idris Muhammad) (10:32)
02. Strawberry Moon ( 4:21)
03. The Look Of Love ( 4:36)
04. Summer Nights ( 6:27)
05. Sacred Kind Of Love ( 5:37)
06. Time Out Of Mind ( 5:01)
07. Take Five (Take Another Five) ( 4:58)
08. Love Like This ( 4:49)
09. Next Exit ( 5:06)
10. Soulful Strut ( 4:14)
11. Poppin' ( 3:52)
12. The Christmas Song ( 4:28)
13. It's Too Late (Johnny 'Hammond' Smith) (10:55)

CD 2:
01. Work Song (Live) (Joey DeFrancesco) (9:21)
02. Every Day A Little Death (From A Little Night Music) (4:15)
03. Stolen Moments (7:20)
04. All My Tomorrow (6:14)
05. Lullaby For Shana Bly (6:08)
06. Ifrane (Randy Weston) (5:15)
07. Please Send Me Someone To Love (3:59)
08. My Man's Gone Now From 'Porgy & Bess' (5:33)
09. Flamingo - Instrumental (4:58)
10. Blues For D.P (8:25)
11. E Preciso Perdoar (One Must Forgive) (Instrumental) (8:53)
12. O Mio Babbino Caro From Gianni Schicchi (Instrumental) (3:58)

One of the most popular saxophonists of all time, Grover Washington, Jr. was long the pacesetter in his field. His roots were in R&B and soul-jazz organ combos, but he also fared very well on the infrequent occasions when he played straight-ahead jazz. A highly influential player, Washington pushed himself with the spontaneity and risk-taking of a masterful jazz musician.

Grover Washington, Jr.'s, father also played saxophone and was his first influence. The younger son started playing music when he was ten, and within two years was working in clubs. He picked up experience touring with the Four Clefs from 1959-1963 and freelancing during the next two years, before spending a couple years in the Army. He moved to Philadelphia in 1967, becoming closely identified with the city from then on, and worked with several organists, including Charles Earland and Johnny Hammond Smith, recording as a sideman for the Prestige label. His biggest break occurred in 1971, when Hank Crawford could not make it to a recording date for Creed Tasylor's Kudu label; Washington was picked as his replacement, and the result was Inner City Blues, a big seller. From then on he became a major name, particularly after recording 1975's Mister Magic and Feels So Good, and later 1980's Winelight; the latter included the Bill Withers hit "Just the Two of Us."

Although some of his recordings since then found him coasting a bit, Washington usually stretched himself in concert. He developed his own personal voices on soprano, tenor, alto, and even his infrequently-used baritone. Grover Washington Jr. recorded as a leader for Kudu, Motown, Elektra, and Columbia and made notable guest appearances on dozens of records ranging from pop to straightforward jazz. He died of a sudden heart attack on December 17, 1999 while taping an appearance on CBS television's The Saturday Early Show; Washington was 56. The posthumous Aria was issued early the following year. ~by Scott Yanow

The Essential Grover Washington Jr. CD 1
The Essential Grover Washington Jr. CD 2

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Phyllis Blanford - Edgewalker

Size: 127,2 MB
Time: 54:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Blue Woman (6:30)
02. Throw It Away (4:50)
03. Save Your Love For Me (6:51)
04. Night And Day (4:32)
05. Good Morning Kiss (5:15)
06. Come Rain Or Come Shine (6:02)
07. When Sunny Gets Blue (5:18)
08. Speak Low (4:47)
09. How I Feel (4:37)
10. You Don't Know What Love Is (6:05)

EdgeWalker is the vehicle to propel me back onto the path that I was born to travel. EdgeWalker is my "constructive" free fall into dreams deferred. It's my first CD but with your love and support it won't be my last. EdgeWalker was arranged by Don Braden and produced and arranged by Kate Baker and Don Braden. The journey to bring you EdgeWalker has been long and arduous filled with laughter, buckets of tears, never ending self doubt, a few temper tantrums and a world of love!
The song How I Feel was arranged and performed by Lou Rainone. It's dedicated to those still sick and suffering from addiction, the homeless, the disenfranchised an anyone else whose ever felt lost. EdgeWalker is my gift of love to you, it's my story told through standards and some spoken word. Sending you love, peace, and light! ~Phyllis Blanford

Edgewalker

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The Black Market Trust - II

Size: 101,8 MB
Time: 33:06
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals, Gipsy Jazz
Art: Front

01. Fly Me To The Moon (2:27)
02. Route 66 (3:10)
03. You Make Me Feel So Young (2:58)
04. Memories Are Made Of This (2:39)
05. Exactly Like You (3:02)
06. This Boy (2:41)
07. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry (2:36)
08. L-O-V-E (2:22)
09. Dream A Little Dream Of Me (3:07)
10. My Baby Just Cares For Me (2:40)
11. Cheek To Cheek (2:55)
12. Lover, Come Back To Me (2:25)

II, the latest album from The Black Market Trust is full of new sounds, new energy, and new surprises. Since their groundbreaking debut album, The Black Market Trust has added 2 members and a new dimension to their sound: vocals.

Merging their love of everything from The Mills Brothers to The Beach Boys, Sinatra to Lennon/McCartney, The Black Market Trust sings original 4-part vocal arrangements to 12 of their favorite Great American Songbook standards.

With II, The Black Market Trust has created an organic new sound that is daring, fresh and exciting yet somehow still familiar and inviting. Combining old world romance with new world form, The Black Market Trust brings you a simple, elegant and well-defined classic sound.

II

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Walter Sopicki - B3X3

Size: 129,4 MB
Time: 55:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Guitar, Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Iceland There Will Never Be Another You ( 5:56)
02. Once I Loved ( 6:41)
03. Sunny ( 9:29)
04. Blues For Alice ( 3:48)
05. The Boys From Syracuse Falling In Love With Love ( 5:26)
06. What Say, Wally ( 5:20)
07. Swingin' The Dream Darn That Dream ( 5:05)
08. Jippy's Dance ( 3:55)
09. Midnight Cowboys (10:07)

Walt Sopicki started playing guitar at the age of nine and studied with jazz guitarist Frank Gerard in the Buffalo, NY area. He started playing professionally at the age of 19. After listening to a Pat Martino recording of Coltrane's "Impressions", Walt began studying jazz.

Walt performs regularly in the Western New York area with various groups including David Kane's Them Jazzbeards, DKQ, Petit-Bal, and the Walt Sopicki Trio. He has recorded with Joey DeFrancesco, Bobby Jones, Doug Riley, Vito Rezza, and Jack Prybylski.

B3X3

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Nancy Erickson - While Strolling Through The Park

Size: 101,8 MB
Time: 38:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. New Year's Eve (3:35)
02. While Strolling Through The Park (2:55)
03. If Music Be The Food Of Love (3:42)
04. Perdido (3:44)
05. Prelude To A Kiss (5:31)
06. Summer Day (3:57)
07. I Just Dropped By To Say Hello (Feat. Clipper Anderson) (3:42)
08. That Old Black Magic (3:49)
09. The Whippoorwill Song (4:14)
10. La Vie En Rose (3:34)

Nancy Erickson has established herself as a vocally creative force to be reckoned with! Following her performances in Kobe, Japan, Nancy Erickson hit her stride. Her 2011 debut CD, “Prelude” received positive reviews and she has become a staple in the Pacific Northwest Jazz scene. Her sophomore release, “While Strolling Through the Park” delivers mature vocals, three original songs, and some unexpected arrangements of jazz standards. With influences like Nancy Wilson, Frank Sinatra, Dianne Reeves, and Peggy Lee, Nancy’s rich, mellow alto voice has been compared to Karen Carpenter and Diana Krall.

In 2012, Nancy won the Seattle Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Competition. This resulted in well-received performances in Kobe, Japan, including Asahi Hall which was also broad-cast live online to over 5,000 viewers.

Nancy began her career in the late 80’s singing in a NW jazz band called After Hours. Nancy recorded and co-produced a Christmas CD entitled "Urban Christmas" in 1993 under the group name, 'Xebec'. Taking a break to raise children, she returned to public performing singing backup with the Northwest R&B band Freddy Pink. Nancy also did some backup work with the band Nearly Dan (a Steely Dan tribute band) and Bernadette Bascom.

In 2009 Nancy returned to her jazz roots; "I’d been singing other styles in various bands, but when I came back to jazz singing I remembered where my heart lies musically." Nancy Erickson’s passion for jazz music is apparent in her pin-drop ballads and the rapport she has with her band(s). Nancy's recent venues have included North City Bistro, Tula’s Jazz Club in Seattle, Eye of the Needle Winery in Woodinville, & Thumbnail Theater in Snohomish. Nancy is currently the Adjunct Professor/Director of Vocal Jazz at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA where she is also finishing her Masters in Teaching Degree.

While Strolling Through The Park

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Meral Guneyman & Dick Hyman - Playful Virtuosity

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:47
Size: 137,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:10)  1. Seven Virtuoso Etudes & Improvisations-Embraceable You
(4:55)  2. Fascinating Rhythm
(5:46)  3. Oh , Lady Be Good
(6:02)  4. The Man I Love
(7:02)  5. Liza(All The Clouds´ll Roll Away)
(5:28)  6. Somebody Loves Me
(5:54)  7. I Got Rhythm
(2:02)  8. Indiana Variations -Back Home Again In Indiana
(0:59)  9. Ready Or Not
(1:23) 10. Escape From The Woojies
(1:13) 11. Big Finish
(6:03) 12. Django
(2:16) 13. Three Raps For Two Pianos - Moderato
(2:10) 14. Andante
(3:17) 15. Alegro

Pianist Meral Guneyman appeared to be slightly nervous when she took the stage recently at the 92nd Street Y's concert "Piano Players: New York Mix." But after a glowing introduction from the show's artistic director Dick Hyman, she launched into a powerful solo version of "The Clothed Woman," one of several Ellington classics she played that evening with strong emotion and arresting dexterity. Later Hyman sat at another piano and they reprised his challenging arrangement of "Solitude," skillfully filling in each other's spaces and ending with a touching flourish. Guneyman's discovery of some Gershwin tunes arranged by Earl Wild was a driving force behind Playful Virtuosity, a fine collection of duo piano between her and Hyman. With Guneyman's impressive symphonic resume and the classical elements present in Wild's arrangements, it's easy to see why she would embrace them so heartily. Guneyman's undulating arpeggios and cascading symphonic touches enhance such songs as "Embraceable You" and "The Man I Love," the latter of which recalls Rhapsody in Blue. Guneyman's range, however, is not confined to the recital hall. On her tour de force rendition of "I Got Rhythm," she boogie-woogies like the house player at a juke joint. At the Y concert she weaved the Wild and Hyman arrangements of "Rhythm" together brilliantly and played like a maenad, stamping her foot to keep time and giving the ivories a melodic forearm.

Guneyman sets the bar high but Hyman reaches it with his excellent improvisations off his own arrangements. His light-hearted take on "Oh Lady, Be Good" growls with deep block chords and his infectious playing on "Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)" is a harmonic stroll in the park. Hyman's touch is nimble throughout, with varying moods and textures, but his sound is just as joyful. In the wake of the Gershwin block, though, their tandem playing on Hyman's compositions seems almost anticlimactic. His "Indiana Variations," a laconic trio of tunes, are well executed but seem like a series of compulsory four-handed exercise. The second triad, "Three Raps for Two Pianos," a condemnation of rap via an exploration of its rhythmic possibilities, is an interesting idea the "Allegro" section has an irresistible energy but it doesn't quite soar. Guneyman and Hyman play with stunning techniques that never subvert substance and styles that are complementary without clashing. It's this individual and collaborative piano mastery that makes Playful Virtuosity, despite being somewhat top heavy, an excellent disc.
~ Terrel Kent Holmes  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/playful-virtuosity-ellen-winters-rykodisc-review-by-terrell-kent-holmes.php

Personnel: Meral Guneyman: piano; Dick Hyman: piano.

Playful Virtuosity

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Svante Thuresson & Katrine Madsen - Box Of Pearls

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:51
Size: 115,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:35)  1. Let's Fall In Love
(3:30)  2. We'll Be Together Again
(4:07)  3. All The Things You Are
(3:55)  4. How Long Has This Been Going On?
(5:12)  5. Estate
(4:45)  6. Send In The Clowns
(3:54)  7. Kom Saet Dig Her
(4:07)  8. I Remember Bill
(3:16)  9. My Shining Hour
(4:21) 10. What A Difference A Day Made
(4:13) 11. I Fall In Love Too Easily
(3:50) 12. Surrey With The Fringe On Top

Vocal duos are not common in jazz, however there are several great examples: Ella Fiztgerald and Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan and Joe Williams, Carmen McRay and Samy Davis - and of course Ray Charles and Betty Carter, with whom Danish Katrine Madsen and Swedish Svante Thuresson have been compared.  Two kindred spirits, although a generation apart, Katrine and Svante are on the same musical wavelength. They have done quite a lot of touring together - especially in Sweden, where the critics called them “two world-class artists”, and enthusiastic public demand has made their performances a recurring event. Katrine Madsen is one of Denmark’s top female vocalists. Svante Thuresson is perhaps the very best jazz singer in Sweden. He started out on drums, performing with many of Sweden’s top bands. Later he joined the vocal group Gals & Pals. He has been a cherished entertainer for years.

So, here for your complete enjoyment, are two jazz vocalist involved in musical interplay.... fascinating, charming and full sweetness - this is a real ‘feel good’ recording. This Danish/Swedish duo has a good time on stage and they had a good time in the studio. The mood is catchy, so you may as well join the party now. http://www.sundance.dk/docs/pressrel/64-39.pdf

Personnel:  Katrine Madsen and Svante Thuresson, vocals; Claes Crona, piano; Jesper Bodilsen, bass; Peter Östlund, drums.

Box Of Pearls

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Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis - Loved Ones

Styles: Piano And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:22
Size: 175,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:27)  1. Delilah (Delilah's Theme)
(6:12)  2. Maria
(4:57)  3. Lulu's Back In Town
(4:43)  4. Miss Otis Regrets (She's Unable To Have Lunch Today)
(6:01)  5. Angelica
(7:02)  6. Stella By Starlight
(4:16)  7. Louise
(8:04)  8. Bess You Is My Woman Now (from 'Porgy and Bess')
(2:37)  9. Liza
(2:12) 10. Nancy (With The Laughing Face)
(6:20) 11. Laura
(6:24) 12. Alice In Wonderland
(4:23) 13. Sweet Lorraine
(6:39) 14. Dear Dolores

On Loved Ones, a set of music on which each of the 14 selections include a woman's name in its title, Ellis Marsalis takes five piano solos and has nine duets with his son Branford Marsalis. With the exception of a brief cooking rendition of "Liza," all of the performances are taken at a relaxed and sometimes quite slow tempo. Ellis Marsalis mostly lets the melodies breathe, infusing them with his own personality (the reworking of "Stella by Starlight" is quite intriguing) and often giving the songs somber interpretations. One wishes that there was more variations in tempos and moods. Branford Marsalis' appearances on soprano and tenor are always an asset, sometimes livening up the selections although mostly playing a subsidiary role to his father. The overall results are pleasing and thoughtful if not quite essential. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/loved-ones-mw0000646914

Personnel: Ellis Marsalis (piano); Branford Marsalis (saxophone).

Loved Ones

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Bill Fredericks - Love With You

Styles: Vocal, Soul
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:43
Size: 84,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:51)  1. Baby As You Turn Away
(2:57)  2. Run To Me
(3:03)  3. Love So Right
(3:10)  4. I Started A Joke
(3:56)  5. The Way It Was
(3:00)  6. Lovers
(3:16)  7. Love With You
(3:47)  8. Love Me
(2:42)  9. Fanny
(3:01) 10. To Love Somebody
(3:55) 11. Lovers

Bill Fredericks was one of the many featured vocalists with the Drifters. While he never reached the heights of success of the group's founder member Clyde McPhatter or a later lead vocalist Ben E. King, who both went on to solo careers, Fredericks's presence enabled the Drifters to survive the late Sixties and find a new audience in Britain in the early Seventies. Most famously, Fredericks's rich, smooth baritone propelled the soulful, yearning "Like Sister and Brother" into the British Top Ten in 1972. Born in Harlem in 1941, Fredericks was one of six children. His father worked as head chef in a New York restaurant; the family was relatively well off and the young Bill grew up in a middle class part of the black neighbourhood. He recalled: Growing up in New York City was an education in itself. In the area where I lived there were two groups to every block; all making music, all having fun and all hoping that one day they might break out of the rut and make it to the top of the tree. Only a few went on to better things: the Flamingos, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Moonglows and the Coasters. 

It was a hard struggle to gain any sort of recognition outside of the black community because music and styles were very much segregated into black and white. One of the groups I was with - the Packards - actually got to make a record called "Ding Dong" on the Playback label. It was a fairly substantial hit in the New York negro community but no further afield. Following the 1956 release of that single, Fredericks left school and landed a job as a shipping clerk for a clothes company. But he had caught the show-biz bug and, after two years in the army, spent most of his spare time as an entertainer in cabaret and at cocktail parties. "We sang all types of material but we did tend to specialise in Drifters songs. The band had three singers and somewhat imitated their style," Fredericks said later. "Then I heard through the grapevine that the Drifters were looking for a singer. So I went along for the audition and was offered the job on the spot with the proviso that I could start straight away. Well, no one turns down a chance like that!" By 1967, when Fredericks joined the Drifters, the group had sold over 15 million records as "There Goes My Baby", "Dance With Me", "Save the Last Dance For Me" and "Under the Boardwalk" crossed over from the rhythm 'n' blues to the pop market. Masterminded by the formidable impresario George Treadwell, who owned the rights to the group's name and wasn't averse to sacking the entire line-up if they requested a pay rise, the Drifters had been through a procession of vocalists including Clyde McPhatter, Gerhart Thrasher, Bill Pinkney, Bobby Hendricks, Ben E. King and Rudy Lewis.

At first, Fredericks's tenure coincided with something of a fallow period for the ensemble which also comprised Johnny Moore on lead, the tenor Rick Sheppard and the bass vocalist Charles Thomas. Until the mid-Sixties, the Drifters had been a priority act for Atlantic Records who afforded them the best songwriters and producers (including Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, Gerry Goffin and Carole King). However, the label's founder Ahmet Ertegun now spent more time on solo artists and rock acts. Subsequently, the Drifters were shunted between various arrangers and in the space of four years issued only five singles ("Ain't It the Truth", "Still Burning In My Heart", "Your Best Friend", "Black Silk" and "Be My Lady"). Fredericks sang lead on a couple of those and decided to stick around, even though the group had been through yet another reshuffle, the baritone Butch Leake and bass vocalist Don Thomas coming in alongside Fredericks and Moore. When George Treadwell died in 1971, his widow Faye took over the Drifters' affairs. The following year, reissues of "At the Club" and "Come On Over To My Place" made the British Top Ten and the Drifters relocated to London. Their fortunes enjoyed a further revival when they signed to Bell Records in 1973 and released "Like Sister and Brother". Fredericks was the featured vocalist on that classic single but was restricted to a harmony role on the easy listening soul of "Kissin' in the Back Row of the Movies", "Down on the Beach Tonight" and "Love Games" which charted in the next two years.

In 1975, after a conflict between Fredericks and the Drifters' management, he went solo but remained in London. "Britain seemed the ideal place for me," he explained. "I love the country and I was determined to build a new career by playing the cabaret clubs up and down the country. I've not regretted the move one little bit." In the late Seventies, he signed to Polydor Records and issued three singles, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?", "Lovers" and a stunning cover version of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody", and also contributed to the soundtracks of the films Black Joy (1977) and The Stud (1978). Fredericks still performed with his former colleagues on the odd occasion and released a fine solo version of the Lou Rawls tune "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" on the Unigram label. But mostly he worked the supper-clubs of Scandinavia and Germany, and also appeared at the Dorchester, the Ritz, Blazers, Baileys, Jimmy's and the Cafe Royal in London.

As well as performing Drifters' hits, he did impersonations, of John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jnr and even Jackie Mason.In the last few years, Bill Fredericks found a lucrative niche doing voice-overs. His warm, velvety tones were heard on television and film commercials (for Marmite, Radox and various Walt Disney projects) and radio stations. In the course of a 45-year span, the Drifters have had many incarnations and a version of the group is still performing up and down Britain. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituaries-bill-fredericks-1094868.html

Bill Fredericks, singer: born New York 23 August 1941; died London 28 April 1999.

Love With You

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Benny Golson Group - Remembering Clifford

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:40
Size: 150.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[7:22] 1. Brown Immortal
[7:31] 2. Five Spot After Dark
[8:22] 3. Dear Old Stockholm
[5:49] 4. Matinee
[6:24] 5. You're The First To Know
[9:02] 6. Lullaby Of Birdland
[7:23] 7. Tito Puente
[5:57] 8. Horizon Ahead
[7:47] 9. Ever More

Benny Golson has produced some of the finest compositions in the hard bop tradition, foremost among them his elegy for Brownie, "I Remember Clifford." Trading on that is surely Golson's right, even after 40 years-perhaps because after 40 years-we know for a fact that the tune is a certifiable classic. His reworking of that classic, "Immortal Brown," leads off this collection, and trumpeter John Swana is a solid choice for such a tribute. Swana's fluid lines stand out in this ensemble, assembled for the session. If they lack the telepathic channels of a working band, they are solid players one and all, and give Golson's charts polished performances. Joining Swana on the front line, Golson matches tenors with Ron Blake; pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Joe Farnsworth comprise the rhythm section. The band is joined by Tito Puente and Carlos "Patato" Valdes on Golson's tribute to the famed timbalero. ~Bill Bennett

Remembering Clifford

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Torun Eriksen - Visits

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:13
Size: 92.1 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:47] 1. Beat Angels
[3:45] 2. Wichita Lineman
[4:02] 3. Downtown Train
[4:50] 4. Fix You
[2:55] 5. Sign 'o' The Times
[2:43] 6. You Can Close Your Eyes
[5:21] 7. Feels Like Home
[3:56] 8. Spanish Joint
[4:50] 9. Wish You Were Here
[4:00] 10. American Tune

TORUN ERIKSEN: Voice; DAVID WALLUMRØD: Keyboards, Grand Piano; AUDUN ERLIEN: El bass; OLA HULTGREN: Drums.

Torun’s musical adolescence was spent in various gospel choirs, where she was given the chance to extend her potential as a singer and soloist from early childhood on. With a background in soul and gospel, her first introduction to jazz was as a music student in high school in her hometown Skien. Her encounter with The Real Book and jazz standards introduced a new world. Teacher and pianist Roger Jeffs spotted Torun’s talent, and encouraged her to write English lyrics to one of his melodies. The foundation for a career in song writing had now been laid.

When she in 1998 moved to Oslo and enrolled into the Norwegian Institute for Stage and Studio (NISS), she was already well under way with her composing. She made an impression as a soul and pop singer in various cover bands on several of the city’s stages, but her own material was still unknown to her surroundings. At this point in time she had begun working with bass player Kjetil Dalland, who is still today considered to be one of her closest musical partners, and along with a couple of others they formed a band and recorded a demo with three of Torun’s songs. By a coincidence the demo was overheard by Bugge Wesseltoft, who was very excited about the song Glittercard and offered Torun to release a record on his label Jazzland Recordings. She then gathered the musicians who have since contributed to feature the acoustic image of her music: David Wallumrød (piano), Kjetil Dalland (bass), Torstein Lofthus (percussion) and Frøydis Grorud (flute/saxophone). Along with Bugge Wesseltoft as their producer they made the album Glittercard, which was released internationally in the spring of 2004. In 2006 the sequel Prayers and Observations was released - this too produced by Wesseltoft – and in April of 2010 her third record Passage was released. This record was produced by Anders Engen, and with the addition of guitarist Kjetil Steensnæs, the acoustic image became more string oriented. Torun’s three solo albums, all of them released on Jazzland Recordings, have received good reviews in the press, and opened the door to foreign countries and an international audience. The Germans in particular have embraced her music, and she has toured Germany regularly since her debut.

Torun’s songs have also been arranged for chamber orchestras, big bands and choirs. The collaboration with German Jazzchor Freiburg started in 2007, and they have since toured with their project in Japan, Korea, Germany and France. Together they have also recorded a version of In Person (Glittercard 2003), which is to be found on the choir’s album A Cappella from 2010.

Visits

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Van Morrison (With Georgie Fame & Friends) - How Long Has This Been Going On

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:59
Size: 114.4 MB
Styles: Blue eyed soul, Adult contemporary
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[2:26] 1. I Will Be There
[3:49] 2. The New Symphony Sid
[2:40] 3. Early In The Morning
[3:58] 4. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
[4:02] 5. Sack O' Woe
[7:14] 6. Moondance
[4:04] 7. Centerpiece
[3:44] 8. How Long Has This Been Going On
[3:01] 9. Your Mind Is On Vacation
[2:15] 10. All Saint's Day
[3:17] 11. Blues In The Night
[2:18] 12. Don't Worry About A Thing
[3:48] 13. That's Life
[3:16] 14. Heathrow Shuffle

Aretha Franklin and Van Morrison are the best vocal improvisers of their generation, but neither can be accurately described as a jazz singer. When authentic jazz singers such as Jon Hendricks or Betty Carter improvise, they construct new harmonic lines as variations on the melody. When Morrison and Franklin take off on the tag of a song, they employ more of a blues approach: They don't alter the harmonies so much as add new emotional emphasis to old chord progressions. This is true even when they tackle jazz standards, as the Queen of Soul did on her early albums for Columbia and as the Belfast Cowboy does on his new album, How Long Has This Been Going On.

Morrison's album may feature such jazz-vocal classics as King Pleasure's "New Symphony Sid" and traditional jazz solos by two longtime collaborators, saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and organist Georgie Fame, but Morrison devotes himself in true blues style to squeezing as much feeling — in this case, joy — as possible out of the repeating melodies. This is quite a change for a singer who has spent most of the past 25 years wrestling with "the lion inside of me" and contemplating the shadows of Celtic mysticism. Those angst-filled meditations have led to some brilliant albums, but if last year's underwhelming Days Like This is any indication, that vein may be running dry. Or maybe going back to the Mose Allison and Frank Sinatra songs that Morrison loved as a kid has merely reminded him of more cheerful times. Whatever the reason, he has recorded his brightest, most extroverted music since the early '70s trio of Moondance, His Band and the Street Choir and Tupelo Honey. Even songs about heartbreak, such as Louis Jordan's "Early in the Mornin'" and Cannonball Adderley's "Sack o' Woe" (whose lyrics are all about heartbreak and the blues), receive upbeat treatments, as if Morrison were trying to outdo his own horn section by honking and shouting with pleasure. It's an old blues trick — laughing in the face of trouble — but Morrison does it with such contagious enthusiasm, it sounds fresh again.

How Long Has This Been Going On

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Mel Tormé, Gerry Mulligan, George Shearing - The Classic Concert Live

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:17
Size: 149.4 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Piano jazz, Saxophone jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[ 2:53] 1. I've Heard That Song Before / Talk
[ 4:56] 2. I Sent For You Yesterday And Here You Come Today / Talk
[ 4:05] 3. Jeru
[ 5:25] 4. Duke Ellington Medley: Don't Get Around Much Anymore/Just Squeeze Me
[ 6:20] 5. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
[ 3:59] 6. Walkin' Shoes/ Talk
[ 5:56] 7. 'round Midnight
[ 5:22] 8. Line For Lyons
[ 0:52] 9. Talk
[ 6:03] 10. Wave Agua De Beber / Talk
[11:28] 11. Blues In The Night
[ 3:05] 12. The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)
[ 4:47] 13. Lady Be Good

Classic Concert Live finds baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, pianist George Shearing, and vocalist Mel Tormé performing together with a big band in 1982 at Carnegie Hall. The trio first performed in 1977, but this marks the only recorded document of the group. Generally the tone is light and swinging as befits the cool jazz background of Mulligan and "Velvet Fog" reputation of Tormé. Similarly, Shearing is in fine form with his urbane keyboard style adding dramatic punch throughout the night. Whether performing one of Mulligan's classic compositions such as "Line for Lyons" or a standard like "What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life," the trio sounds terrific. ~Matt Collar

The Classic Concert Live

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Sister Swing - Riff Raff & Ruffles

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:55
Size: 139.4 MB
Styles: Swing, Vocals
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:10] 1. That's How Rhythm Was Born
[6:17] 2. Too Darn Hot/Heat Wave
[4:51] 3. House Is Haunted
[2:52] 4. Elmer's Tune
[3:33] 5. Well Alright
[4:57] 6. Mood Indigo
[3:06] 7. Lulu's Back In Town
[3:55] 8. Night And Day
[3:57] 9. Mr. 5 X 5
[4:10] 10. 42nd Street
[4:34] 11. Jump Jive And Wail
[4:31] 12. White Lies
[3:18] 13. A Train
[2:59] 14. Shoo Shoo Baby
[4:37] 15. Sentimental Journey

During the 14 years that Sister Swing has been alive and kicking, we have had the privilege of playing with many fine musicians. Each one has brought his or her own distinctive style to the mix. Riff Raff and Ruffles is our attempt to capture the essence and the talent of all these players in the variety of songs we have chosen to record. The Mug Shot Gallery in our CD insert will hopefully convey the sense of family we share with our band. While we three girls are slightly goofy on our own, the band exacerbates the problem and joins right in with us, pushing us up to crazy and out-of-control silliness. And we love it!

The other ingredients that make Sister Swing a party are the fans.each and every one of you adds to our joy with your smiles, your laughter, your encouragement and for that we thank you. So start up the player, put on your dancing shoes and join in the family reunion party!

Riff Raff & Ruffles

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The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra - Swing Fever

Styles: Jazz, Swing,  Big Band
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:29
Size: 104,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:18)  1. Struttin' With Kate
(2:44)  2. I Wanna Talk About Love
(2:50)  3. Wham-Rebop
(3:35)  4. Young And Foolish
(4:07)  5. White Heat Stomp
(2:33)  6. The Things We Did Last Summer
(2:44)  7. The Best Things Happen When You Dance
(2:52)  8. Swing Fever
(3:09)  9. Azure
(2:43) 10. Dickie's Weather Jive
(3:07) 11. Moonlight Savings Time
(3:28) 12. Bill's Bounce
(2:53) 13. Alaskan Nights
(3:19) 14. Pep, Vim, & Verve

The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra differs from most swing bands today in that it sounds very much like an orchestra from circa 1940 and yet most of its repertoire consists of originals by its leader-pianist-arranger. In other words, the music and writing are quite creative within the vintage swing style. For its debut recording, the big band performs ten Elliott originals plus four standards. Clarinetist Bob Reitmeier, tenor saxophonist Roger Neumann, and trombonist Andy Martin are among the main "names" in the band, yet many of the lesser-known players also take excellent solos. Amy Weston sings two numbers and the Vocalworks (a fine four-voice ensemble) is a major asset too. Recommended both for retro swing listeners and fans of early swing who are open-minded enough to discover a new big band. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/swing-fever-mw0000248101

Personnel: Bill Elliott (piano); Mike Geiger, Amy Weston (vocals); Paul Viapiano (guitar, piano); Mark Linnet (recorder); Bill Liston, Bob Reitmeier (clarinet, alto saxophone); Roger Neumann (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Jay Mason (bass clarinet, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Chuck Erdahl (tenor saxophone); Darrel Gardner, Peter Olstad, Wayne Bergeron (trumpet); Alex Iles, Andy Martin , John Grab (trombone); Gordon Peeke (drums).

Swing Fever

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Deanna Kirk - Where Are You Now?

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:51
Size: 120,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:23)  1. Where Are You Now
(3:27)  2. No Ghosts Allowed
(4:41)  3. Marianna Came To
(3:55)  4. I Want It Now
(3:56)  5. Not The One
(5:10)  6. Carousel
(4:22)  7. When Love Comes Around
(4:24)  8. Take Down The Kasbah
(4:41)  9. Fallen Arms
(3:39) 10. Ballad Of The Small Cafe
(5:46) 11. If Not For Love
(3:23) 12. You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch

If you're a sucker for sultry glances and pouty lips, then you may find yourself repeatedly distracted from the music on this disc by the photos of the singer that grace its packaging. That's partly the fault of the packaging and partly the fault of the music, which is so uniform in tempo and mood that it's difficult to keep your attention focused on it. That's not to say that it isn't lovely -- in fact, there are lots of very lovely songs here, including the lovely "No Ghosts Allowed" (with its string arrangement and, get this, ticking clock) and the lovely "Carousel." Then there's the lovely "When Love Comes Around." "I Want It Now" sacrifices a bit of loveliness on the altar of the rock'n'roll backbeat, but "When Love Comes Around" and "Fallen Arms" buy it back with lots and lots of metronomic acoustic piano and acoustic guitar. Lovely. You say you can't take that much loveliness all at once? Oh, well. The best thing on the album by far is her hilarious, torchy rendition of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." ~ Rick Anderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/where-are-you-now-mw0000030429

Personnel: Deanna Kirk (vocals); Kevin Bents (guitar, keyboard, background vocals); Patrick Daugherty (piano); Mark Egan (bass); Joe Bonadio (drums, percussion); Aaron Comess (drums); Steve Jagoda (percussion); Peter Davis, Elaine Caswell (background vocals).

Where Are You Now?

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Dick Hyman - Scott Joplin: Piano Works (1899-1904)

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1975
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:44
Size: 132,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:29)  1. Maple Leaf Rag
(3:50)  2. Original Rags
(3:24)  3. Swipesy
(3:04)  4. Peacherine Rag
(3:39)  5. The Easy Winners
(4:00)  6. Sunflower Slow Drag
(4:30)  7. The Entertainer
(3:46)  8. Elite Syncopations
(3:43)  9. The Strenuous Life
(4:02) 10. A Breeze from Alabama
(3:52) 11. Palm Leaf Rag
(3:25) 12. Something Doing
(4:34) 13. Weeping Willow
(3:49) 14. The Chrysanthemum
(2:49) 15. The Cascades
(2:42) 16. The Sycamore

A very versatile virtuoso, Dick Hyman once recorded an album on which he played "A Child Is Born" in the styles of 11 different pianists, from Scott Joplin to Cecil Taylor. Hyman can clearly play anything he wants to, and since the '70s, he has mostly concentrated on pre-bop swing and stride styles. Hyman worked with Red Norvo (1949-1950) and Benny Goodman (1950), and then spent much of the 1950s and '60s as a studio musician. He appears on the one known sound film of Charlie Parker (Hot House from 1952); recorded honky tonk under pseudonyms; played organ and early synthesizers in addition to piano; was Arthur Godfrey's music director (1959-1962); collaborated with Leonard Feather on some History of Jazz concerts (doubling on clarinet), and even performed rock and free jazz; but all of this was a prelude to his later work. In the 1970s, Hyman played with the New York Jazz Repertory Company, formed the Perfect Jazz Repertory Quintet (1976), and started writing soundtracks for Woody Allen films. He has recorded frequently during the past several decades (sometimes in duets with Ruby Braff) for Concord, Music Masters, and Reference, among other labels, and ranks at the top of the classic jazz field. In 2013, Hyman teamed up with vocalist Heather Masse for a set of standards on the Red House label called Lock My Heart. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dick-hyman-mn0000211424/biography

Scott Joplin: Piano Works (1899-1904)

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Don Byas - Walkin'

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1963
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:32
Size: 123,8 MB
Art: Front

( 7:30)  1. There'll Never Be Another You
( 7:41)  2. Don't Blame Me
( 7:16)  3. Billie's Bounce
(10:31)  4. A Night In Tunisia
( 6:21)  5. Walkin'
( 7:19)  6. Moonlight In Vermont
( 6:51)  7. All The Things You Are

The second of two CDs taken from the same appearances at the Montmartre in Copenhagen as A Night in Tunisia, this release showcases the masterful (if underrated) tenor Don Byas in a quartet with pianist Ben Axen, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer William Schiopffe. Byas was always a powerful player and he digs into such songs as "There'll Never Be Another You," "Billie's Bounce" and "All the Things You Are," coming up with exciting and consistently inventive ideas. All jazz collections should have at least a couple of Don Byas albums. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/walkin-mw0000083503

Personnel: Don Byas (tenor saxophone); Bent Axen (piano); Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (bass); William Schiopffe (drums).

Walkin'

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