Bill Easley - First Call (1990)

The versatile alto and tenor saxophonist Bill Easley (who on other projects also plays other reeds) is showcased in top form on this CD, performing on two dates with a pair of overlapping groups. Assisted along the way by trumpeter Bill Mobley on five of the numbers, either Sir Roland Hanna or James Williams on piano, and George Caldwell's synthesizer for four of the eight songs, Easley is the main star throughout. He puts plenty of feeling into "It's All in the Game," takes "How Long Has This Been Going On" at a surprisingly fast pace, cooks on "Little Benny," and emulates Sonny Stitt on "Blues for Stitt." Although he has spent much of his career in the background, uplifting other singers and musicians' sessions in addition to working in the studios, Bill Easley shows on this set that he is fully capable of being the leader. This is one of his strongest efforts. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Milestone Records, MCD-9186-2, 1991
Recorded 22nd, 29th October, 1990 

Musicians:
Bill Easley - Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
Bill Mobley - Trumpet (#3-6,8)
Roland Hanna- Piano (#1,2,7,8)
James Williams - Piano (#3-6)
George Caldwell - Synthesizer (#2,4,5,7)
J. J. Wiggins - Bass (#1,2,7,8)
Dave Jackson - Bass (#3-6)
Grady Tate - Drums 

Tracks:
1. It's All In The Game {Charles G. Dawes, Carl Sigman} (6:22)
2. Somewhere Along The Way {Kurt Adams, Sammy Gallop} (5:57)
3. How Long Has This Been Going On {George Gershwin} (7:36)
4. Oh, What A Dream {Chuck Willis} (8:16)
5. Soulful Bill {James Williams} (5:51)
6. Blues For Stitt {Bill Easley} (6:02)
7. Prelude To A Kiss {Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon, Irving Mills} (6:25)
8. Little Benny [aka Crazeology] {Bud Freeman, Benny Harris, Charlie Parker} (4:12)

Total Time: 50:41 

Credits:
Producer - Bob Porter
Engineer - Malcolm Addey
Assistant Engineer - Ron Allaire
Digital Mastering - George Horn
Art Direction - Phil Carroll
Photography - Frank Lindner
Design - Gilles Margerin
Liner Notes - Stuart Troup

Hank Crawford - South - Central (1993)

All of the songs on this set except for the closing "Holy Night" (which was left over from a 1990 session) are from 1992. Altoist Hank Crawford is heard at his best on the ballads where he really caresses the melodies, giving them a great deal of soul and heartfelt feeling. Joined by guitarist Melvin Sparks, pianist Stan Hope, bassist Peter Martin Weiss and drummer Grady Tate (with an occasional hint of strings), Crawford digs into such songs as "I Should Care," "I Want To Talk About You," and "Fool That I Am," finding time to swing "In A Mellotone" and "Splanky." His alto playing is at its most vocal throughout this passionate yet tasteful set, which will be easily enjoyed by his many fans. ~  by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Milestone Records, MCD-9201-2, 1993

Recorded 11^th & 27^th August, 1992 (#1-8) At Nola Sound Studios, NYC;

February, 1990 (#9) At Giant Studios, New York City;

8^th September, 1992 Synthesizers At Malcolm Addey's Studio, New York City

Musicians:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone, String Arrangements (#1-9)

Stan Hope - Piano (#1-8)

Melvin Sparks - Guitar (#1-9)

Peter Martin Weiss - Bass (#1-8)

Grady Tate - Drums (#1-8)

George Caldwell - Strings (#1-8)

#9. O Holy Night

Hank Crawford - Arranger [Horns]

Lew Soloff - Trumpet

Alan Rubin - Horns

Lou Marini - Tenor Saxophone

Howard Johnson - Baritone Saxophone

Gloria Coleman - Organ

Doctor John - Piano

Wilbur Bascomb - Bass

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie

Tracks:

1. Falling In Love With Love {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (4:43)

2. I Should Care {Sammy Cahn, Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston} (6:16)

3. South Central {Hank Crawford} (8:31)

4. I Want To Talk About You {Billy Eckstine} (5:20)

5. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler} (5:26)

6. Conjunction Mars {Hank Crawford} (8:07)

7. Fool That I Am {Hank Crawford} (5:57)

8. Splanky {Neal Hefti} (4:24)

9. O Holy Night {Adolphe Adam, John Sullivan Dwight} (3:28)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Malcolm Addey

Mastering Engineer - George Horn (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley)

Artwork - Phil Carroll

Photography - Frank Lindner

Design - Jamie Putnam

Liner Notes - David Ritz