Taft Jordan - The Moods Of Taft Jordan

Hello everybody!!!  Hope you've all had a great summer, I sure have.  Aside from summertime fun, my computer had some issues - both of which conspired to keep me away from blogging.  Well, I'm back and with a nice gem of an album on offer.

The only issue with "Moods" is that its too short.  If you enjoyed the Erskine Hawkins album, then you will enjoy this.  Overall I find it has that carefree and fun vibe to it.  The tunes cover a range of tempos, feels and styles.  That said, I wouldn't describe Jordan as an adventurous player.  He plays with lots of feeling and makes his notes count.  So yes, when I likened this to the Hawkins sides, I was referring to the soulful approach.

The supporting players don't display much in the way of fireworks (save a couple tunes), but the band is tight, tight, tight.  They show creativity in subtle ways that often help Jordan to sound better.  Lots of harmonizing and tons of fantastic rhythm.  If you're looking for something light, fun & swingin - then this is an album for you.  I captured this glorious, near-mint mono LP in 24/48 wav and then transferred it to 24/48 FLAC.  I hope it helps to kick up your weekend... enjoy!!!

Mercury MG-20249
1959

1. When Your Lover Has Gone 1:37
2. Night Boat 4:55
3. My Man (Cha Cha) 3:06
4. Do Anything 2:43
5. September Song 3:17
6. It's The Talk Of The Town 3:20
7. Smoky 4:55
8. Mariquita 3:47
9.Second Balcony Jump 3:55

Taft Jordan (tp), Dave Martin (p), Everett Barksdale (g), Joe Benjamin (b), Chick Martin (ds)

Joe Williams - Live! A Swingin' Night At Birdland

I'm sure many of you already have this one, but for those who don't... here's a treat.  Joe Williams backed by a quintet of pros in a small club, Birdland.  We are even treated to an intro from none other than Pee Wee Marquette.

This one is a winner from start to finish and has many nuances of a live performance.  Very intimate.  Brought to you in glorious mono, the fidelity is superb as the vinyl is clean.  24/44.1 wav dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!

In 1961, after six years as one of the main attractions of  Count Basie's orchestra, Williams (with Basie's blessing) went out on his own. One of his first sessions was this live recording, cut at Birdland with a strong quintet that featured trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jimmy Forrest on tenor.  Williams mostly sings standards and ballads, but also tosses in a few of his popular blues (including "Well Alright, OK, You Win" and "Goin' to Chicago") during a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable set. - Scott Yanow / AMG

1. September in the rain (Warren-Dubin)
2. Come back baby (Mina-Bromley)
3. Five o'clock in the morning (Joe Williams)
4. By the river St.Marie (Warren-Leslie)
5. This can't be love (Rodgers-Hart)
6. Teach me tonight (DePaul-Cahn)
7. Well alright (Faye-Raye-Howell)
8. I was telling her about you (Charlap-George)
9. Have you met Miss Jones? (Rodgers-Hart)
10. Well oh well (Gillis-Bullard)

Roulette R-52085
1961

Joe Williams (vocal), Harry Edison (trumpet), Sir Charles Thompson (piano), Jimmy Forrest (tenor sax), Joe Benjamin (bass), Charlie Persip (drums)

Budd Johnson - Blues A La Mode

I want to apologize for my absence.  I am sure that for those of you who are familiar with my personal blog, it's easy to think that my priorities lay elsewhere.  I won't lie, it would be easy for me to simply post everything at my own blog - but that will never happen.  The Crypt is where all this blogging stuff started for me, and it's really where my heart is - in spite of having my own spot.

I have the next round of Basie sides prepared so that we can continue down that road, but I wanted to share something that I am excited about.  I finally pulled the trigger on the Felsted box set, a decision I regret not making earlier.

For fans of Budd Johnson, this album is an absolute must have.  Gorgeous playing throughout with equally excellent contributions from all of his sidemen.  I find Johnson's playing to be really laid back and soulful.  He puts alot of focus into each note, rather than searching for witty phrasing or pulling out any tricks.  Tonally his horn is rich and thick - combined with his style, he is certainly the centerpiece on this session.

This was ripped from my Felsted box using EAC, and is in FLAC 16/44.1.  The tracks have been remastered using 24 bit technology, in stereo, and the results are superb.  The archives contain two Felsted sides already;  Buddy Tate and Billy Strayhorn.  I'm not sure if either is still active but if anybody wishes to have a reup just ask in the comments.  I will roll out the remaining Felsted sides and we can have this project running parallel to the Basiefest.  Enjoy!!!

Felsted FAJ 7007
1958

01. Foggy Nights (Johnson) 5:37
02. Leave Room in Your Heart for Me (Johnson-Dobson) 7:16
03. Destination Blues (Johnson) 5:19
04. À La Mode (Johnson) 7:31
05. Used Blues (Johnson) 7:05
06. Blues by Five (Johnson) 6:06

Tracks #1,3,5,7: The Septet
Charlie Savers (ts), Vic Dickenson (tb), Budd Johnson (ts), Al Sears (bs), Bert Keyes (p, org), Joe Benjamin (b), Jo Jones (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 11, 1958.

Tracks #2,4,6: The Quintet
Charlie Savers (ts), Budd Johnson (ts), Ray Bryant (p), Joe Benjamin (b), Jo Jones (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 14, 1958.

Roy Haynes - Modern Jazz Group Swing 10", 1954, France

 My friend Robert is a saxophonist and a Frenchman and a big fan of Barney Wilen. His feeling is that Wilen is the most melodic of players in the hard bop/post bop era. Wilen's improvisations are always close to the bone of the song, he is remarkably UN-selfindulgent in his choices. Through Robert, I have grown to appreciate Wilen too, I think he appeals to me in the same way that John Park does. This rare French 10" was Wilen's first recording, he was 17! Roy Haynes had made his own professional debut at the same age 10 years earlier but this was only his second session as a leader. A lovely little session it is too, Gourley, Renaud and Cameron all have sparkling contributions and of course Roy and Joe Benjamin are impeccable - 20 minutes of bliss.

Roy Haynes - Modern Jazz Group
Swing 10", 1954, France

1. Red Rose
2. A Mountain Sunset
3. Laffin' And Cryin
4. Minor Encamp
5. Subscription
6. Dillon

Roy Haynes,Barney Wilen,Jimmy Gourley,Jay Cameron,Henri Renaud,Joe Benjamin