Frank Ricotti Quartet - Our Point Of View (1968) [vinyl]

Hard to find 1969 UK 7-track stereo LP, from the British vibraphonist who played with everyone from Gordon Beck, Norma Winstone, Neil Ardley to Mike Gibbs, Stan Tracey and Graham Collier. Ricotti takes the spotlight here with authority and apparent ease in a quartet outing alongside Chris Spedding on guitar, Chris Laurence bass and drummer Bryan Spring. Includes the groover Three Times Loser, Three Times Blueser.

CBS Realm Jazz, 52668, 1968

Recorded 1968

Musicians:

Frank Ricotti - Vibraphone, Alto Saxophone

Chris Spedding - Guitars

Chris Laurence - Bass

Bryan Spring - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Late Into The Night {Chris Speding, Pete Brown} (3:52)

A2. Three Times Loser, Three Times Blueser {Stan Tracy} (5:29)

A3. Don't Know Why {Brian Miller} (6:31)

A4. House In The Country {Al Kooper} (3:27)

B1. Abbadatt The Cat {Brian Miller} (4:05)

B2. Dark Through Sun Shines {Brian Miller} (8:33)

B3. Walter L {Gary Burton} (5:55)

Credits:

Produced - David Howells

Engineer - Mike FitzHenry

Sleeve Notes - Humphrey Lyttleton

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I really shouldn't allow this to happen!

Young players of 15 or less are being far more creative nowadays and playing an awful lot of more right notes. I am speaking personally of course, as I haven't given the other guys a chance to say anything, mainly for fear of them saying 'burn the f****** thing!'

My recollection of the recording is unfortunately very sketchy, as was my life at 20. Have your own band, get a few gigs, do an album - everything seemed to be easy and fine.

Everything is still fine, but quite a lot has changed. Having spent most of the last 30 years playing in studios my appreciation of what is good and bad is very confused. For the most part I've been fortunate to work and play with some fantastic musicians, but on the other hand freelance studio work can be labouring and unfulfilling.

So, what can I say about this album? Chris Laurence, Chris Spedding and Bryan Spring are three bloody fine musicians and we had lots of fun doing this record. If you like it that's fine, but for my own contribution I am deeply embarrassed. Modern technology would be very handy to reshape some of my vibe solos, (or lose them completely), put the sax playing back in tune, and generally tidy everything up. all these devices and more are available now to every recording musician.

I'm not looking for an excuse for my playing - far from it, but nowadays ninety percent of the music we listen to has been tampered with in one way or other. Hence my confusion. To hear myself naked is a very big bringdown. I only hope with the passing years I've improved - maybe I should do another album and let you decide. ~ Frank Ricotti, March, 1999.