Saturday, November 9, 2019

Ahmad Jamal - Tranquility

I have to admit, I'm not a fan of jazz interpretations of shmaltzy pop tunes.  In fact, I can't stand it.  So when I looked at the tracklist of this album, I was initially repulsed.  But it's Ahmad Jamal!!  I haven't heard a bad Jamal album, and that gave me yet another reason to be apprehensive about this one.  I know that logic seems backwards, but I couldn't bare the fact that he may have a complete dud in his discography.  Ignorance is bliss right?  Ultimately the deal breaker was the fact that it was only priced at $1, in a dingy thrift shop.  At that price it's a no brainer really.

So, "Say A Little Prayer" doesn't exactly start off with a whole lot of promise.  The band begin by stating the theme, and I am left thinking "Oh God it is gonna suck"... but wait...

...hold on...

...oh, ok... I see what he's doing here.  Wow!!  Nice!!  Brilliant!!

This is after all Ahmad Jamal, ye with little faith.  Side one is essentially a rush of quick pop tunes, but they are given the classic Jamal Trio treatment.  That inimitable style is stamped all over these otherwise predictable tunes.  Frankly its quite refreshing, and the group even manage to have you forget the source material.  Ahmad Jamal is undoubtedly a master, and it's through an album like this that we see why.  When side one was over, I was left recalling several different moments and basically needed to play it again.  Not the outcome I would have predicted, not by a long shot.

Side two plays like a more typical Jamal Trio joint.  Three tunes over twenty minutes, with lots of extended solos and interplay.  Overall, I found this to be an excellent album.  Fun & refreshing, but with some serious moments as well, the trio deliver on all expectations.  This stereo LP was in rough shape but cleaned up surprisingly well.  It was ripped at 24/48wav and transferred to FLAC in 24/48 for your convenience... enjoy!!!

ABC Records ABCS-660
1968

Bass – Jamil Sulieman
Drums – Frank Gant
Piano – Ahmad Jamal
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

23 comments:

  1. poppachubbyOctober 10, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    https://mega.nz/#!FwRlTR5Y!Ysv6c08SxVTaNsO7v6etW9y-LtOzYrP2kJGOy11XM-U

    ReplyDelete
  2. anon'n'onOctober 10, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    well, how convenient..thanks a bunch poppa.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lou CypherOctober 10, 2015 at 8:20 PM

    Told you I appreciate your posts : this is a perfect example!

    ReplyDelete
  4. francisco santosOctober 10, 2015 at 10:30 PM

    Big THX !....

    ReplyDelete
  5. poppachubbyOctober 11, 2015 at 8:53 AM

    Thanks Lou, nice to see you here.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ChrisOctober 11, 2015 at 5:54 PM

    Anything crafted by Jamal is worth having, thanks PC.

    ReplyDelete
  7. flatspinOctober 13, 2015 at 3:55 AM

    Been looking to replace my cassette recording of this for years! The title track is my favourite Ahmed Jamal piece.Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  8. kristophermc28October 13, 2015 at 12:00 PM

    Thanks again poppa! Love your needle drops.

    ReplyDelete
  9. chuchuniOctober 14, 2015 at 6:22 AM

    Excellent, thanks a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousOctober 14, 2015 at 8:16 PM

    Can you please provide info on the ripping equipment? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. poppachubbyOctober 15, 2015 at 2:52 AM

    Hi there anonymous. I include a text file in all of my albums which details all the equipment used, including software.

    Turntable-Arm-Cartridge: Ariston RD11s / Rega RB300 / Nagaoka MP300
    Phono Stage: Creek OBH-18MM
    > Audioquest King Cobra >
    Soundcard: Creative SoundBlaster Audigy Platinum 24/96

    Audacity/Click Repair > FLAC Frontend > Microsoft ICE > MP3tag

    ReplyDelete
  12. Otis FosterOctober 28, 2015 at 7:40 AM

    Thanks poppa. I didn't have this session.

    ReplyDelete
  13. LenaFebruary 17, 2016 at 11:07 PM

    BEAUTIFUL! Actually, my favorite Ahmad Jamal's trio, with Jamil Nasser and Fred Gant...

    ReplyDelete
  14. grumpyNovember 9, 2019 at 10:54 AM

    Hey Chubbs - I just picked this up on israbox and realised it's your rip! Many thanks - great sound as ever.

    ReplyDelete
  15. BillNovember 9, 2019 at 12:13 PM

    Great sound indeed! Thanks Poppa.

    ReplyDelete
  16. armandoNovember 9, 2019 at 7:10 PM

    Thanks a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  17. rev.bNovember 10, 2019 at 1:49 AM

    Back in the day I shared your trepedation about side one, but it didn't take long for this to turn into one of my favorite Jamal albums, especially side two. It may well simply be my own shortcomings, but if memory serves, Ahmad did release a couple of pretty stinky pop-flovoed lps in the mid to late 70s, but thankfully that period didn't last too long. Thanks for the opportunity to revist an old favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  18. NewlynerNovember 10, 2019 at 2:27 AM

    Fantastic ! Many thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  19. danairNovember 10, 2019 at 12:57 PM

    Thanks Poppa never heard this one :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. moxnixNovember 11, 2019 at 5:28 PM

    Thank you for this very fine Ahmad Jamal recording!

    ReplyDelete
  21. guilleantNovember 13, 2019 at 3:46 PM

    Thank you so much !!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. MrBillNovember 23, 2019 at 10:48 AM

    I would have never imagined "I Say A Little Prayer" as a jazz piece but Jamal makes it work. And his rendition of "Emily" is beautiful - very different from Bill Evans' approach, whose version I also love. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tarara BumdiayMay 2, 2020 at 10:03 AM

    Many thanks.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)