Willis Jackson - Neapolitan Nights (1962) [re-rip]

Naples (or, if you will, Napoli) is one of the world's most scenic cities, and also the home of the pizza pie. Like all the great cities of Italy, it is full of music; among other accomplishments, Naples gave the world Enrico Caruso. Here it serves as the starting point of a musical tour of Italy, guided by the potent tenor saxophone of Willis Jackson at the helm of a swinging rhythm-section. Some of the tunes are old, others are new, and one (Verdi's Vonce) is the blues - though not very blue. All are melodic and have that special romantic flavor long associated with the popular songs of the homeland of grand opera and bel canto. Willis Jackson handles this material with appropriate gusto and warmth. His big, ripe tone is admirably suited to bring out the flavor of a singable melody, and his jazz conception and innate swing stand him in good stead where the avoidance of excessive sentimentality and bathos is concerned. This is not a schmaltzy album, though Mama - one of the best-loved tearjerkers in the Mediterranean repertoire - is handled with the proper traditional feeling. ~ Excerpt from the Liner Notes by Dan Morgenstern

On this album Jackson is joined with a number of other heavyweights. Gildo Mahones for one sets up some wonderful backing including space to showcase some brilliant piano solos. Equally, Bucky Pizzarelli lays down some marvellous sections of guitar. In essence the rest of the group also command much praise, bassist George Tucker holds things together while drummer Bobby Donaldson and conga expert Montego Joe add their special touches to this broad selection of Italian derived tunes. I have to admit whilst perfecting this rip from a very old well-loved vinyl I have grown much love for this LP. Hopefully you too can share in my delight of this relatively hard to find side from the "Gator".

Prestige Records, PR 7264, 1963

Recorded 19^th December, 1962 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Willis Jackson - Tenor Saxophone

Gildo Mahones - Piano

Bucky Pizzarelli - Guitar

George Tucker - Bass

Bobby Donaldson - Drums

Montego Joe - Congas

Tracks:

A1. Neapolitan Nights {Traditional} (6:58)

A2. Arrivederci Roma {Renato Rascel, Pietro Garinei, Sandro Giovannini} (5:42)

A3. Mama {Cesare Andrea Bixio} (5:14)

B1. Volare {Franco Migliacci, Domenico Modugno} (5:32)

B2. Al Di Là {Carlo Donida, Mogol} (4:38)

B3. Verdi's Vonce {Willis "Gator" Jackson} (7:05)

Credits:

Producer - Ozzie Cadena

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Notes - Dan Morgenstern