Gene Ammons - "JUG" (1961) [re-rip]

Tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded many albums during 1961-1962, a busy period that was brought to an abrupt halt by his arrest for narcotics abuse. Jug finds the great tenor in excellent form, interpreting six standards and two of his originals with the assistance of pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Doug Watkins, drummer J.C. Heard, and the congas of Ray Barretto; Sleepy Anderson replaces Wyands on two songs, one of which he takes on organ. Few surprises occur, but fans will not be disappointed by his soulful and lyrical playing. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG.

JUG was Gene Ammons' nickname. This 1961 session finds tenor saxophonist Ammons doing what he does best-ballads and easy grooves. The lazy pace of the opening "Ol' Man River" belies a subtly propulsive momentum. Conga-drum player Ray Barretto augments the backing trio of piano, bass, and drums. Ammons frequently bolstered his rhythm sections thusly, this wise approach adding a range of embellishing counter-rhythms to the open feel of the music. Ammons wrote two blues for this set, "Seed Shack" and "Miss Lucy." The saxophonist recorded so much music, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that he never faltered in the studio. JUG is an exceptional example of Ammons' early '60s output. ~ Excerpts from CD.Universe.com

Prestige Records, PRLP 7192, 1961

Prestige Records, PR 7192, 1972

Recorded 27^th January, 1961 Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicians:

Gene Ammons - Tenor Saxophone

Richard Wyands - Piano (#A1-A3,B1,B2,B4)

Clarence "Sleepy" Anderson - Piano (#A4), Organ (#B3)

Doug Watkins - Bass

J.C. Heard - Drums

Ray Barretto - Conga Drum

Tracks:

A1. Ol' Man River {Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern} (5:11)

A2. Easy To Love {Cole Porter} 4:16)

A3. Seed Shack {Gene Ammons} (5:40)

A4. Let It Be You {Clarence "Sleepy" Anderson} (3:50)

B1. Exactly Like You {Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh} (6:00)

B2. Miss Lucy {Paul Weston} (3:42)

B3. Namely You {Gene DePaul, Johnny Mercer} (4:47)

B4. Tangerine {Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger} (3:37)

Credits:

Producer, Cover Photo - Esmond Edwards

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Design - Don Schlitten

Liner Notes - Joe Goldberg

Note:

J.C. Heard not listed on album cover.

This rip from Re-Issue Stereo LP released in 1972.