CHARLIE SHAVERS - GIRL OF MY DREAMS - 1960 - 24/48 FLAC

1960
Everest SDBR 1070
My Vinyl Rip
Front & Back Covers
DR Value 12

The focus is almost entirely on Shavers' horn, for he is in the spotlight throughout while backed by pianist Ray Bryant (who is very much in a supportive role), bassist Aaron Bell, and drummer Roy Burns.  Although the performances are mostly very concise (nearly all of the selections are under three-minutes long), the trumpeter makes every note count during the consistently exciting program. There definitely isn't much in the way of improvisational jams going on here, but if you like your jazz short and sweet, you'll enjoy getting close with Shavers. Reviewed by Scott Yanow & Michael Brad Richman

01 Girl Of My Dreams /  02 September In The Rain /  03 What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry / 04 Lover / 05 I'll Get By / 06 Out Of Nowhere / 07 Dream / 

08 Bye Bye Blackbird / 09 Pennies From Heaven / 10 Frenesi / 

11 Green Eyes / 12 Let's Fall In Love

Coleman Hawkins - Hawk Eyes (1959) [vinyl>flac]

Tenor-great Coleman Hawkins tended to be at his best when challenged by another horn player. On this highly enjoyable album, Hawkins is joined by the superb trumpeter Charlie Shavers and a strong rhythm section that includes guitarist Tiny Grimes and pianist Ray Bryant. With such superior songs as "Through for the Night," "I Never Knew" and "La Rosita," in addition to long jams, plenty of fireworks occur during this frequently exciting session. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

One thing Coleman Hawkins can never be accused of is being dull. His dynamic personality should be the envy of his confreres young and old. Hawk Eyes stands for keen visual perception. In the jazz vernacular it indicates a desire to hear "Bean" (another of Coleman Hawkins' nicknames) play or a general preference for his playing. To have Hawk Eyes in this sense means acute aural perception. ~ excerpts from Liner Notes by Ira Gitler.

Recorded 3^rd April, 1959 in Hackensack, New Jersey

Prestige Records, PR 7156, 1959

Prestige Records, PRT 7857, 1971; 1987

Personnel:

Coleman Hawkins - Tenor Saxophone

Charlie Shavers - Trumpet

Ray Bryant - Piano

Tiny Grimes - Guitar

George Duvivier - Bass

Osie Johnson - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Hawk Eyes {Coleman Hawkins} (10:19)

A2. C'mon In {Coleman Hawkins} (13:18)

B1. Through For The Night {Trummy Young} (5:12)

B2. I Never Knew {Gus Kahn, Ted Fio Rito} (5:44)

B3. La Rosita {Paul Dupont, Allan Stuart} (6:10)

B4. Stealin' The Bean {Osie Johnson} (4:32)

Credits:

Supervisor - Bob Weinstock

Recording Engineer - Rudy Van Gelder

Liner Notes - Ira Gitler; Dan Morgenstern

Budd Johnson - Blues A La Mode

I want to apologize for my absence.  I am sure that for those of you who are familiar with my personal blog, it's easy to think that my priorities lay elsewhere.  I won't lie, it would be easy for me to simply post everything at my own blog - but that will never happen.  The Crypt is where all this blogging stuff started for me, and it's really where my heart is - in spite of having my own spot.

I have the next round of Basie sides prepared so that we can continue down that road, but I wanted to share something that I am excited about.  I finally pulled the trigger on the Felsted box set, a decision I regret not making earlier.

For fans of Budd Johnson, this album is an absolute must have.  Gorgeous playing throughout with equally excellent contributions from all of his sidemen.  I find Johnson's playing to be really laid back and soulful.  He puts alot of focus into each note, rather than searching for witty phrasing or pulling out any tricks.  Tonally his horn is rich and thick - combined with his style, he is certainly the centerpiece on this session.

This was ripped from my Felsted box using EAC, and is in FLAC 16/44.1.  The tracks have been remastered using 24 bit technology, in stereo, and the results are superb.  The archives contain two Felsted sides already;  Buddy Tate and Billy Strayhorn.  I'm not sure if either is still active but if anybody wishes to have a reup just ask in the comments.  I will roll out the remaining Felsted sides and we can have this project running parallel to the Basiefest.  Enjoy!!!

Felsted FAJ 7007
1958

01. Foggy Nights (Johnson) 5:37
02. Leave Room in Your Heart for Me (Johnson-Dobson) 7:16
03. Destination Blues (Johnson) 5:19
04. À La Mode (Johnson) 7:31
05. Used Blues (Johnson) 7:05
06. Blues by Five (Johnson) 6:06

Tracks #1,3,5,7: The Septet
Charlie Savers (ts), Vic Dickenson (tb), Budd Johnson (ts), Al Sears (bs), Bert Keyes (p, org), Joe Benjamin (b), Jo Jones (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 11, 1958.

Tracks #2,4,6: The Quintet
Charlie Savers (ts), Budd Johnson (ts), Ray Bryant (p), Joe Benjamin (b), Jo Jones (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 14, 1958.

Charlie Barnet - Cherokee

Perhaps my optimism is warping my judgement, but I would like to believe that the Crypt is finally reaching certain "non-believers".   Yes, sometime ago I set out to reign in jazz fans who don't like big band, mainstream and/or basically anything deemed old and uncool.  In that time I have shared quite a few albums and overall received great response.

With that in mind, I am really excited to share this classic album by Charlie Barnet.  For those unfamiliar with him, I would suggest reading up on him, if you like a really non-traditional story.  For our purposes, the Coles notes read like this...  Barnet had his heyday in the 40's with a really great big band.  He eventually drifted out of jazz, but left a few albums along the way - Cherokee is one of those.

In 1958 Barnet hand picked a band to take into the studio.  Everest had commisioned him to cut a session, and so he decided to put together an album of tunes which were hits for him.  Now here's something else you should know about Charlie Barnet, he was always a wildly progressive band leader.  The result of all this is an album which infuses west coast cool and east coast bop into some great big band standards.   I think he wanted to show the apathetic youth, and modern jazz fans that big band could adapt and measure up.  Boy was he right...

I chose this album so that hopefully anybody still unsure about big band, can experience the absolute fun and joy of the genre at its best.  The music moves quickly and excitedly, yet retains a really soulful vibe.  The thing that most any jazz fan will enjoy about Cherokee, is the non stop barrage of solos.  Yes indeed, Barnet was the genuine article.  I have some really wonderful mint sides from his earlier years, but wanted to try and grab everyone's attention with this first - my favorite of his to be sure.  This set swings as hard as they come!!

This was ripped from my original Everest LP.  Ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC, it's a really minty affair with top notch fidelity.  Be sure to read the liner notes penned by Nat Hentoff.  Enjoy!!!

Everest Records LPBR-5008
1958

Charlie Barnet (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones); 

Bunny Briggs (vocals); 

Pete Mondello (alto, tenor & baritone saxophones); 

Vinnie Dee (alto saxophone); 

Dick Hafer, Kurt Bloom (tenor saxophone); 

Danny Bank (baritone saxophone); 

Charlie Shavers, Markey Markowitz, Clark Terry, Al Stewart (trumpet); 

Billy Byers, Frank Sarroco, Bobby Byrne, Ed Price (trombone); 

Nat Pierce (piano); 

Chubby Jackson (bass); 

Terry Snyder (drums).