Shirley Scott - Like Cozy (1960) [re-rip]

Here we have a classic Moodsville LP showcasing an early Shirley Scott Trio and yes for all those listeners that aren’t so keen on the organ we get to hear Shirley [Side A] reveal her prowess on the piano with a salient performance of some well-known jazz standards. In many ways her sound appears almost more lyrical than her organ work [Side B]. In this regard we hear the sweet Hammond groove that was to become her forte, conveyed as always in a soulful and mellow manner. The overall mode of the album is a more laidback and intimate staging of Scott’s talents compared to some of her other work on Prestige. She is backed by her then renowned rhythm team George Duvivier on bass and Arthur Edgehill on drums - and titles include "My Heart Stood Still", "Once In Awhile", "Laura", "Like Cozy", "Little Girl Blue", and "More Than You Know".

Stylistically, Shirley Scott is an exponent of the jazz tradition established by Lester young, the great tenor saxophonist, and fulfilled by trumpeter Miles Davis. The French musicologist, Andre Hodeir, describes this quietly cooking, lyrical mode of jazz expression as "the Cool Tendency." As found in the best work of both the Pres and Miles, there is an economy of force in Miss Scott's playing, she does not dilute and diffuse the impact of her jazz message by using too many notes. Like Miles, she achieves a charming relaxation without sacrificing swing. She plays "pretty" without sounding sugar-coated or sentimental. Most importantly, Shirley is able to sustain a cozy, candle-lit mood fit for listening, dancing, or just plain relaxing with someone you like. ~ Extract from Liner Notes by Tom Wilson.

Moodsville Records, MV 19, 1960

Recorded 27^th September, 1960 at van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Shirley Scott - Piano (#A1-A4), Organ (#B1-B4)

George Duvivier - Bass

Arthur Edgehill - Drums

Tracks:

A1. You Do Something To Me {Cole Porter} (5:17)

A2. More Than You Know {Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans} (4:07)

A3. Once In A While {Michael Edwards, Bud Green} (4:33)

A4. Little Girl Blue {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (5:00)

B1. Laura {David Raksin, Johnny Mercer} (5:00)

B2. Like Cozy {Shirley Scott} (4:10)

B3. My Heart Stood Still {Richard Rodgers} (3:48)

B4. 'Deed I Do {Walter Hirsch, Fred Rose} (4:13)

Credits:

Supervision - Esmond Edwards

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Notes - Tom Wilson