Shirley Scott - Roll 'Em: Shirley Scott Plays The Big Bands (1966) [CD]

Shirley Scott’s Roll ‘Em is interesting on several levels, the first being that you are no doubt already keenly aware of the songs Shirley is laying down here with her seventeen-piece big band, so it’s a hoot to simply sit back and listen to the tunes without the due consideration jazz-listening often requires. Secondly, there’s nothing unexpected delivered on this record, everything … the enunciation, the chords, the notes, the take, it’s all been done before, leaving Roll ’Em to simply be a breezy foray into the musical insights and sounds that are created here. Though when "Stompin' At The Savoy" washed across my listen space, I was raptured with the flanking path Scott’s organ took this song. Oddly enough, when one considers women in jazz, the first names that come to mind are usually the singers, Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday, perhaps because singers are easier to spot and identify. Shirley was a lush beautiful petite and very powerful for her size and time, so it sparked my imagination that she might be taking on these songs purposely, numbers that seemed rather too large or expansive for a woman to embrace, where Scott shows the world that she’s more than capable of helming a big band, charting its course, and coming out the other side proving that she can stand toe to toe with anyone when it comes to music that is easily compared. So, while I don’t want to dismiss this outing as uninventive or not being challenging enough, it is impressive to hear Shirley create perfect flawless circles, that while not bold or majestic, hit at the heart of all that’s pure, and dare I suggest innocent, when it comes to the purest elements of sophistication. After all, a simple black dress with an understated string of pearls speaks volumes, without the need for showiness or exuberance. ~ by Jenell Kesler, discogs.com. 

Impulse! Records, AS-9119, 1972
GRP Records, GRD-147, 1994
Recorded 15th (#7-10) & 19th (#1-6) April, 1966 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 

Personnel:
========
#1-4:
Shirley Scott - Organ
Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Jimmy Nottingham, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry - Trumpet
Paul Faulise, Quentin Jackson, Melba Liston - Trombone
Tom McIntosh - Trombones
Phil Woods, Jerry Dodgion - Alto Saxophone
Bob Ashton, Jerome Richardson - Tenor Saxophone
Danny Bank - Baritone Saxophones
Attila Zoller - Guitar
George Duvivier - Bass
Grady Tate - Drums
Oliver Nelson - Conductor, Arranger 

#5-6:
Shirley Scott - Organ, Arranger (#5)
George Duvivier - Bass
Grady Tate - Drums 

#7-10:
Shirley Scott - Organ
Richard Davis - Bass
Ed Shaughnessy - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Roll 'Em {Mary Lou Williams} (4:08)
02. For Dancers Only {Don Raye, Sy Oliver, Vic Schoen} (3:43)
03. Sophisticated Swing {Mitchell Parish, Will Hudson} (2:50)
04. Sometimes I'm Happy {Grey, Caesar, Youmans} (3:53)
05. Little Brown Jug {Joseph Eastburn Winner; Arr. Shirley Scott} (3:57)
06. Stompin' At The Savoy {Razaf, Goodman, Webb, Sampson} (3:58)
07. Ain't Misbehavin' {Andy Razaf, Harry Brooks, Fats Waller} (3:31)
08. A Tisket A Tasket {Ella Fitzgerald, Van Alexander} (3:55)
09. Things Ain't What They Used To Be {Duke Ellington, Ted Persons} (5:19)
10. Tippin' In {Bobby Smith, Marty Symes} (4:33) 

Total Time: 39:54 

Credits:
Producer - Bob Thiele
Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Reissue Producer - Michael Cuscuna
Executive Producer - Dave Grusin, Larry Rosen 

Organist Shirley Scott focuses on swing-era tunes throughout this enjoyable album. Four songs showcase her organ accompanied by a 17-piece big band arranged by Oliver Nelson while the remaining six numbers find her jamming with a trio that also includes either George Duvivier or Richard Davis on bass and Grady Tate or Ed Shaughnessy on drums. Although nothing all that unexpected occurs, it is fun to hear an organ performing such numbers as "For Dancers Only," "Little Brown Jug" and "Stompin' At The Savoy." ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

Sometimes I'm Happy

Flow - Flow (1970) [vinyl>flac]

This group, originally from Ocala, Florida, is today minimally known for being the group in which he played Don Felder, before joining the group of country rock Eagles, although here not the same type of music. Felder on guitar, and Chuck Newcomb, on bass and vocals, were responsible for composing the songs of the only record they came to record. What we can hear here is, above all, a jazz rock, at times folk, other passages, Latin rhythms, more than anything by percussions, which helped in several good percussionists. In short is a jewel, has a quality, and that is, as you go listening, several times, it becomes quite attractive, it hooks you. In short, if you did not know it, and you are fond of this genre, you will not be disappointed. ~ Miguel Campoviejo [translated from Spanish]

One of only five LPs released in the CTI 1000 series while Creed Taylor was transitioning from A&M to start his own label and one of few rock-oriented albums to be put out by the label. It's also notable for being the project Don Felder left to join The Eagles, for whom he would compose their biggest hit, "Hotel California." Flow is a nice slice of jazzy, folky, West Coast style rock with some rootsy touches, including a Leadbelly cover. It's quite a creeper and grows on you after a few listens so definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre. ~ Cheeba.

CTI Records, CTI 1003, 1970

Recorded 17^th & 18^th December, 1969 and 20^th January, 1970
At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicians:

John Winter - Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Harmonica, Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Flute

Don Felder - Guitar

Chuck Newcomb - Bass, Lead Vocals

Mike Barnett - Drums

Angel Allende, Johnny Pacheco - Percussion, Congas, Cowbell

Ed Shaughnessy - Percussion, Tabla

Tracks:

A1. Daddy {Chuck Newcomb} (3:36)

A2. Here We Are Again {Mike Barnett, John Winter} (6:51)

A3. Line'Em {Leadbelly, Arr. Flow} (2:48)

A4. Gotta Get Behind Your Trip {Chuck Newcomb, John Winter} (3:34)

A5. Chicken Farm {Mike Barnett, John Winter} (2:51)

B1. No Lack Of Room {Chuck Newcomb, Don Felder} (3:50)

B2. Summer's Gone {John Winter} (5:53)

B3. Mr. Invisible {Chuck Newcomb, John Winter} (4:00)

B4. Arlene {John Winter} (5:08)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Artwork - Tony Lane

Illustration - Mike Barnett