Gene Russell has been promulgating that type of chamber jazz since 1960, and he has been blessed with the services of bassist George Morrow and drummer Clarence Johnston long enough now so that the rapport is genuine and basic - not something ad libbed, like a jazz chorus. Sure, spontaneity is the hallmark - the prime mover in jazz - but in order to convey a sense of mutual purpose and enjoyment, a combo should be, ideally, a permanent thing. Such mutuality, enjoyment and permanence are embodied in the Gene Russeil Trio. What Gene, George and Clarence have come up with for their Decca debut is as comfortable as an old shoe - and just as "sole-ful". The more you hear the album, the less concerned you'll be with the mysterious up-manship. Perhaps there’s no relation between the album title and the song title. It’s probably the course that Decca has "charted" for Gene Russell: UP AND AWAY! ~ Burt Nelson, Hollywood Citizen-News [Extract from the Liner Notes]
Decca Records, DL 74953, 1969
Recorded 9th October, 1967 in
Los Angeles, California
Musicians:
Gene Russell - Piano
George Morrow - Bass
Clarence Johnson - Drums
Tracks:
A1. Up-Up And Away {Jim Webb}
(2:23)
A2. 1-2-3 {David White, John
Madara, Leonard Borisoff} (2:35)
A3. When I Fall In Love
{Edward Heyman, Victor Young} (3:23)
A4. Yours Is My Heart Alone
{Franz Lehár, Fritz Loehner, Ludwig Herzer} (3:54)
A5. Groovy Soul {William
Russell} (2:59)
B1. Love Is Here To Stay
{George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (3:31)
B2. Too Close For Comfort
{George Weiss, Jerry Bock, Larry Holofcener} (2:29)
B3. Born Free {Don Black,
John Barry} (1:39)
B4. Broadway {Henri Woode,
Teddy MacRae, Bill Bird} (3:28)
Total Time: 26:21
