Shirley Scott & Kenny Burrell - Travelin' Light (1964) [re-rip]

Kenny Burrell joins the trio of organist Shirley Scott for this sweet little album – a set that seems to burn a bit more than usual for Shirley, probably because of the cool-toned guitar lines from Kenny! The album's got the same laid back feel as other Scott albums of the time, but Burrell really digs in during his solos - adding a bit more bite, and inspiring Shirley to do the same on her own Hammond lines. Bass is by Eddie Khan and drums are by Otis Finch – and titles include "Solar", "The Kerry Dance", "They Call It Stormy Monday", "Nice N Easy", and "Baby It's Cold Outside". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

In February 1964 - sandwiched between two recording sessions with then husband and tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine - organist Shirley Scott recorded with guitarist Kenny Burrell. She had just wrapped Hustlin' with Turrentine at the end of January and would be back in the studio for Blue Flames at the end of March. Backing Scott and Burrell on this Ozzie Cadena-produced album for Prestige were bassist Eddie Khan and drummer Otis "Candy" Finch. What makes this album so exciting is what's missing - a boss. Turrentine's appeal on Scott dates was his soulful command and searing reed statements before and after Scott solos. Here, Scott and Burrell play off each other in tender ways. It's a hip rhythm-section date - with all the swinging, playful interchanges you find when the sax on an organ date sits out. After Scott's solos, instead of the Turrentine train roaring out of the tunnel, you get Burrell's ringing, single-note lines. The ear likes what it hears. The session's song choices also are perfect in every way. The track list features Travelin' Light, Solar, Nice 'n' Easy, They Call It Stormy Monday, Baby It's Cold Out There and The Kerry Dance. What's interesting is how Scott plays behind Burrrell. Fully aware of the guitar's sonic limitations, she offers huge support to fill the space - offering both texture and a frame for Burrell. Scott and Burrell played well together. For me, the title tune, Solar and Nice 'n' Easy say it all - a glorious pace, groovy ideas and earthy camaraderie. ~ Marc Myers, jazzwax.com.

Prestige Records, PRST 7328, 1964

Recorded 17th February, 1964 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

         

Musicians:

Shirley Scott - Organ

Kenny Burrell - Guitar

Eddie Khan - Bass

Otis Finch - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Travelin' Light {Trummy Young, Johnny Mercer, Jimmy Mundy} (4:41)

A2. Solar {Miles Davis} (6:03)

A3. Nice 'N' Easy {Marilyn Keith, Alan Bergman, Lew Spence} (4:34)

B1. They Call It Stormy Monday {Aaron Walker} (11:08)

B2. Baby It's Cold Outside {Frank Loesser} (3:49)

B3. The Kerry Dance {Traditional} (3:04)

Credits:

Producer - Ozzie Cadena

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Design, Photo - Don Schlitten

Liner Notes - R. D. Harlan (May 1964) WNCN, New York City