Dave Pike - Plays The Jazz Version Of Oliver! (1963)

Dave Pike Plays the Jazz Version of Oliver! is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Dave Pike performing compositions by Lionel Bart from the musical Oliver! which was recorded in 1962 for the Moodsville label. Dave turns his hand to a well-loved musical and one that future generations will no doubt cherish. Dave's interpretation of Bart's compositions are wondrously arranged and joining him is a prominent grouping of veteran jazz musicians; including pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Jimmy Raney, bassist George Tucker and Drummer Walter Perkins; all noted for their exceptional contributions to other album from this era. Dave's vibes are scintillating as per usual producing a very moving and compelling expose of these seminal writings. All tunes reflect the sensitive emotions that this Broadway musical and Hollywood movie portrayed. An included gem is the bassist's solo of the moving rendition of "Boy For Sale'. Ideally the album could easily have been expanded to include all of the tunes, but with what is offer here the listener can't and will not be disappointed, enjoy!

Moodsville Records, MVST 36, 1963

Recorded 28^th December, 1962 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Musicians:

Dave Pike - Vibraphone, Arranger

Tommy Flanagan - Piano

Jimmy Raney - Guitar

George Tucker - Bass

Walter Perkins - Drums

Tracks:

A1. I'd Do Anything {Lionel Bart} (4:52)

A2. As Long As He Needs Me {Lionel Bart} (5:44)

A3. Who Will Buy? {Lionel Bart} (6:16)

B1. Food, Glorious Food {Lionel Bart} (3:22)

B2. Boy For Sale {Lionel Bart} (1:19)

B3. Where Is Love? {Lionel Bart} (5:57)

B4. It's A Fine Life {Lionel Bart} (4:51)

Total Time: 32:21

Credits:

Producer, Design, Photo - Don Schlitten

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Notes - Dan Morgenstern

Jimmy Raney - Two Jims and Zoot (Mainstream 6013)

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

The slightly unusual date Two Jims and a Zoot features tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims interacting with two guitarists (Jimmy Raney and Jim Hall) while given subtle support by bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Osie Johnson. Although the eight selections (none of which caught on as standards) had all been written recently and sometimes display the influence of bossa nova, the quiet performances could pass for 1954 rather than 1964. The cool-toned improvisations and boppish playing have a timeless quality about them although for the time period aspects of this music already sounded a bit old-fashioned.

Shirley Scott - Latin Shadows (1965) [vinyl>flac]

A great album from Shirley Scott - with some excellent arrangements by Gary McFarland! We've always felt that Shirley plays best when she's not leading the group - when someone else is handling the arrangements, so that she can groove mightily on her own - and this album is a perfect illustration of that fact! The album has a sparkling bossa and 60s groove finish - similar to McFarland's albums for Verve at the time - and Shirley's light touch on the Hammond really makes the whole thing dance nicely! Tracks include a sweet version of "Soul Sauce", plus covers like "Can't Get Over the Bossa Nova", "Downtown", and "Dreamsville". Also includes "Latin Shadows", a great original by McFarland! © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Impulse! Records, AS-93, 1965

Recorded 21^st (#A2,A4,A5,B2-B4) & 22^nd (#A1,A3,A6,B1,B5), July, 1965 in New York City

Personnel:

Shirley Scott - Organ

Gary McFarland - Vibraphone

Jerome Richardson - Flute (#A1,A3,A6,B1,B5)

Jimmy Raney - Guitar

Bob Cranshaw - Bass (#A2,A4,A5,B2-B4)

Richard Davis - Bass (#A1,A3,A6,B1,B5)

Mel Lewis - Drums

Willie Rodriguez - Percussion

Strings: [#A1,A3,A6,B1,B5]

Charles McCracken, Edgardo Sodero, Joseph Tekula - Cello

Aaron Rosand, Arnold Eidus, Charles Libove, Harry Cykman, Leo Kruczek - Violin

Arranger, Conductor - Gary McFarland

Track Listing:

A1. Latin Shadows {Gary McFarland} (3:12)

A2. Downtown {Tony Hatch} (3:18)

A3. Who Can I Turn To? {Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley} (2:37)

A4. Can't Get Over The Bossa Nova {Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence} (2:42)

A5. This Love Of Mine {Sol Parker, Hank Sanicola, Frank Sinatra} (3:23)

A6. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps {Osvaldo Farrés} (2:39)

B1. Soul Sauce {Dizzy Gillespie, Chano Pozo} (2:50)

B2. Hanky Panky {Gary McFarland} (4:16)

B3. Noche Azúl {Shirley Scott} (2:46)

B4. Dreamsville {Ray Evans, Jay Livingston, Henry Mancini} (3:14)

B5. Feeling Good {Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley} (3:37)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Thiele

Recording Engineer - Bob Simpson

Front Cover Painting - Mel Cheren

Back Cover & Liner Photos - Charles Stewart

Liner Design - Joe Lebow

Liner Notes - George Hoefer, Jazz Magazine

Wardell Gray - Easy Swing 1946-1955 [24/48 vinyl rip]

An excellent collection of lesser heard Wardell Gray sessions ranging from his first session as a leader in 1946 (with Dodo Marmarosa) to his final session in 1955 (with Tate Houston on a bass sax), only 4 months before he would be found dead in the Nevada desert with a broken neck. In between are a pair of nice sessions with Al Haig which supply the lion's share of sides 2 thru 4, and a pair of blues influenced sessions with Ivory Joe Hunter and Little Willie Littlefield. For someone looking to complete a Wardell Gray collection, this double LP is essential to fill in the holes in his discography.

I should add that this is a French version of the double LP and it has one extra track on side B making a total of 27 - the CD version only includes 19.

Attila Zoller and Jimmy Raney - Jim & I

 A little something for the guitar freaks out there -- two old masters just sitting down and playing guitar together. Some of this material revolves around a theme or progression, but much of it is free playing by two guys with a lot to say.

These two men were long time friends and each had a deep musical appreciation for the other which shows in the way they play together. There is a type of intimacy here that makes you feel like the guy sitting quietly in the corner watching two old friends PLAY together. Not everything is perfect or planned and you'll hear occasional mistakes but who cares!

The summation would be that if you are looking for a recital of planned standards, etc., then this isn't it, but if you are interested in a pair of masters playing for the sheer joy of it, then Welcome!

Al Haig and Jimmy Raney - Special Brew

Al Haig Jimmy Raney Quartet - Special Brew
Spotlite LP

1 Freedom Jazz Dance
2 We'll Be Together Again
3 Marmaduke
4 Dolphin Dance
5 Blues for Alice
6 Shaw 'Nuff
7 Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care to Know)
8 Just Friends

If I recall correctly this one was actually recorded a bit earlier than Strings Attached. Still Frank Gant on drums but Wilbur Little rather than Jamil Nasser. Another fine album, how could it be anything else?

My memory says that it was our dear departed Jazzman who contributed this rip. Even if it wasn't, I'm saying it was!

Al Haig & Jimmy Raney - Strings Attached

Al Haig Jimmy Raney Quartet
Strings Attached 1975 (Choice Records)

1) Dolphin Dance
2) Enigma
3) Invitation
4) You Came to Me from Out of Nowhere
5) Freedom Jazz Dance
6) 'Round Midnight
7) Watch What Happens
8) Get Out of Town
9) I Love You

Al Haig piano, Jimmy Raney guitar, Jamil Nasser bass, Frank Gant drums, recorded March 1975.

As promised another of those records from Haig Fest 2009 that we did not find a lossless rip of the last time around. This mp3 320 rip of the CD with the 3 extra tracks was contributed by 'higuja' more than 3 years ago.

This reunion of old bebop warriors from the remarkable Stan Getz band of the early 50's delivers on all of it's promise. Haig and Raney are both in fine form over an excellent selection of both modern and classic tunes. Both had been largely out of the public eye for a considerable time in 1975 but the selection of tunes like Freedom Jazz Dance and Dolphin Dance show that their ears had been open. Jamil Nasser and Frank Gant  are absolutely impeccable throughout this genuinely lovely album. The version of 'Round Midnight is a veritable Jazz Master Class.

If one of you out there has this cd, Please by all means upload a lossless rip for us all and post it in the comments.