Joe Williams - Live! A Swingin' Night At Birdland

I'm sure many of you already have this one, but for those who don't... here's a treat.  Joe Williams backed by a quintet of pros in a small club, Birdland.  We are even treated to an intro from none other than Pee Wee Marquette.

This one is a winner from start to finish and has many nuances of a live performance.  Very intimate.  Brought to you in glorious mono, the fidelity is superb as the vinyl is clean.  24/44.1 wav dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!

In 1961, after six years as one of the main attractions of  Count Basie's orchestra, Williams (with Basie's blessing) went out on his own. One of his first sessions was this live recording, cut at Birdland with a strong quintet that featured trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jimmy Forrest on tenor.  Williams mostly sings standards and ballads, but also tosses in a few of his popular blues (including "Well Alright, OK, You Win" and "Goin' to Chicago") during a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable set. - Scott Yanow / AMG

1. September in the rain (Warren-Dubin)
2. Come back baby (Mina-Bromley)
3. Five o'clock in the morning (Joe Williams)
4. By the river St.Marie (Warren-Leslie)
5. This can't be love (Rodgers-Hart)
6. Teach me tonight (DePaul-Cahn)
7. Well alright (Faye-Raye-Howell)
8. I was telling her about you (Charlap-George)
9. Have you met Miss Jones? (Rodgers-Hart)
10. Well oh well (Gillis-Bullard)

Roulette R-52085
1961

Joe Williams (vocal), Harry Edison (trumpet), Sir Charles Thompson (piano), Jimmy Forrest (tenor sax), Joe Benjamin (bass), Charlie Persip (drums)