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

Terry Gibbs And His Exciting Big Band - Explosion!

Who would have thought that Terry Gibbs could inspire such Olympian commenting??!!??  Why stop now??  Let's keep this party goin...

Here we find the exact same band, at the exact same venue, The Summit in Hollywood.  That's about where the similarities end.  Yes, Explosion is every bit as exciting, but everything has been elevated beyond where the last one left off.

When I say everything, I'm not exhagerating.  Firstly, the song times are longer which means more space for solos.  Gibbs takes a step back and we get to hear more from the trumpet section, as well as the saxes.  The solos themselves are much more pronounced and longer as well.  The arrangements are much more detailed and complex, but not to the detriment of the song.  Infact this complexity I'm speaking of finds the band jamming in more exciting grooves and feels.  Of course, with so much more in the pot, the level of intensity amongst the players is elevated as well.  This is heard through audible soul calls and shouts of joy.  When I say shouts, I am talkin about some of the fellas screaming in ecstacy - it's awesome!!

Finally, even the recording itself is a step above.  Aside from clarity, there's an immediacy from the music that simply wasn't there on the last post.  A wonderful tonal balance which is best defined by the horn section.  The ensemble work is powerful and punchy, but always warm and thick.  When soloing, we get that biting detail that gives emotional weight to the music.

Overall it's a great testimony to how incredible Gibbs was as a leader, able to get the best out of so many huge talents.  Where "The Exciting Big Band" LP seems more for dancing, on Explosion we get all that plus a show of pure technical prowess.  I know you guys are gonna dig it!!  Contemporary added this to their series, if anyone has it I would love to hear some thoughts on the comparison.  I'm sure the disc is much cleaner, but the music on this LP is really rich.

This Mercury (MG-20704) side is in excellent condition.  As we have discussed how everything is elevated, the noise is no exception.  As always, I have worked as closely as I can without disturbing the tunes.  Overall it comes and goes, mostly getting buried within the signal.  I think it's a real enjoyable listen regardless.  Ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC, the Gibbs fest continues -  at the Crypt!!  Enjoy!!

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Mercury MG-20704

Recorded Live At The Summit, Hollywood, CA

1961

Bass – Buddy Clark
Drums – Mel Lewis
Piano – Pat Moran
Saxophone – Bill Perkins, Charlie Kennedy, Jack Nimitz, Joe Maini, Richie Kamuca
Trombone – Bob Edmondson, Frank Rosolino, Vern Friley
Trumpet – Al Porcino, Conte Candoli, Frank Huggins, Ray Triscari, Stu Williamson
Vibraphone – Terry Gibbs

The Exciting Terry Gibbs Big Band

Ah one! Two! Ah three! FOUR!!

Even something as simple as a count-in oozed with ethusiasm when Terry Gibbs was at the helm.  This is not your typical big band however, and certainly not your typical big band album.  Desert island album?  Pretty damn close.  This one has it all.  An incredible energy, translated from the live performance to us, the listener.  All star line up of players.  The best in composers/arrangers, with originals wrote just for Terry, and by Terry.  To top it all off, this has to be one of the best recorded, live big band shows on record.

This side is quite rare.  It's not that it's impossible to find, but to find one in reasonable condition is another story.  In the late 80's and early 90's, Contemporary began releasing a series of albums with this group.  They changed the name to "The Terry Gibbs Dream Band".   Certainly an appropriate name when one looks at the roster.   But this group is more than just a bunch of star power and hype...much, much more.

They were called the "Exciting" big band for a reason.  This group could do it all, but always with a flare for fun and excitement.  Clearly, with the skill level available, the arrangers went to town.  Bill Holman, Al Cohn, Shorty Rogers and Manny Albam spun these tunes into absolute gold.  Gibbs could lead his group to huge dynamic heights - glorious, crisp brass soaring overtop a driving and pulsing swing.  But he could strip it down to a quiet calm, enough to make you forget that there are 17 players getting ready to pounce!   In my mind, the Gibbs big band are up there with Eckstine and Basie in terms of dynamics. 

Stylistically, the tunes range nicely, from slow pokin' blues, to high flying, dance worthy swing.  Gibbs takes many solos, but always in great taste.  We also hear from the saxes, probably more so than the trumpets which is unusual for a big band.  The best part of this album is it's undeniable live energy, best defined by the soul callin' between Gibbs and the rest of the band.  Audible are the shouts of joy, encouragement and just plain fun the band is clearly having.

I worked really hard on this one guys, and it paid off big time.  I am really proud of the finished product, albeit not perfect.  I think you'll agree, the fidelity is incredible making this a dynamite listen.  This original Verve (V-2151) was ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC, there is little to no noise here folks.  Just 100% swingin jazz...enjoy!!!

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Verve (V-2151)

Recorded Live At The Summit, Hollywood, CA

January, 1961

Bass – Buddy Clark
Drums – Mel Lewis
Piano – Pat Moran
Saxophone – Bill Perkins, Charlie Kennedy, Jack Nimitz, Joe Maini, Richie Kamuca
Trombone – Bob Edmondson, Frank Rosolino, Vern Friley
Trumpet – Al Porcino, Conte Candoli, Frank Huggins, Ray Triscari, Stu Williamson
Vibraphone – Terry Gibbs

The Exciting Terry Gibbs Big Band 1959

Some of you old school Cryptheads will recall the series we ran on Terry Gibbs big band back at the old Crypt.  During the late 80's, Contemporary reissued several of these fantastic albums originally released on Mercury and Verve.  They dubbed the band the "Terry Gibbs Dream Band" and using new artwork, titled the albums by volume.  As great as their efforts were, they missed this great debut album - Launching A New Band.

This side sounds just as the others do and includes that amazing cast of all star west coast players.  Bill Holman provides the impeccable arrangements.  I would say that overall the band is a touch less frantic when it comes to their pace, but not Gibbs soloing!!!  The vibes are definitely the centerpiece here and Gibbs doesn't disapoint delivering high flying solos everywhere he can.  The tunes run short and yet he somehow still manages to get his chorus' in.

Along with this album, I am including the first volume of Contemporary's Dream Band series.  This album was not a reissue and was infact debuted to ring in this look at Gibbs' big band.  It's a live concert recorded at the Seville in Hollywood from 1959.  This is the same year that "Launching" was released and we find the band giving live treatments of several tunes from the album.  The two albums make a great pair.  Personally, I prefer the live album as the band feels much more loose.

Each album has been ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  Dream Band is absolute mint with wonderful recording while "Launching" is near mint with great fidelity as well.  If there is interest for me to re-up some of the older Gibbs posts, please let me know in your comments and I will consider it in the upcoming weeks.  Have fun listening to one of the greatest big bands ever assembled...  enjoy!!!

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Launching A New Band

Mercury SR60112
1959

Alto Saxophone – Charlie Kennedy, Joe Maini
Baritone Saxophone – Jack Schwartz
Bass – Joe Mondragon (tracks: A3, A4, B3, B4), Max Bennett (tracks: A1, A2, A5 to B2, B5, B6)
Drums – Mel Lewis
Piano – Pete Jolly
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Holman, Med Flory
Trombone – Bob Enevoldsen, Frank Rosolino, Vern Friley
Trumpet – Al Porcino, Conte Candoli, Phil Gilbert (tracks: A3, A4, B3, B4), Ray Triscari (tracks: A1, A2, A5 to B2, B5, B6), Stu Williamson
Vibraphone – Terry Gibbs

A1 Opus No.1 2:47 

A2 Moten Swing 3:01
A3 I'm Getting Sentimental Over You 2:37
A4 Let's Dance 3:29
A5 Stardust 3:30
A6 Cottontail 2:56
B1 Begin The Beguine 2:30
B2 Jumpin' At The Woodside 2:46
B3 Prelude To A Kiss 3:04
B4 Don't Be That Way 3:55
B5 Midnight Sun 3:28
B6 Flyin' Home 2:53

It is ironic that the Contemporary label came out with five CDs worth of unknown material by the Terry Gibbs Big Band while Polygram has completely neglected its studio sides by the same group. The music on this set, last available as a Trip LP, was the first by Gibbs' "Dream Band," a swinging outfit of top studio musicians who were based in L.A. at the time. This album is comprised of two arrangements apiece by Bill Holman, Bob Brookmeyer, Manny Albam, Al Cohn, Med Flory and Marty Paich, which pay tribute to Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Tommy Dorsey. The tunes are mostly overly familiar (including "Stardust," "Cotton Tail," "Begin the Beguine" and "Flying Home") and clock in around three minutes, meaning that the solos are quite concise, but there are some good individual moments from the vibraphonist/leader, trumpeter Conte Candoli, and trombonist Frank Rosolino. - Scott Yanow / AMG

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The Terry Gibbs Dream Band Vol.1

Contemporary C-7647
1986
Recorded live at the Seville, Hollywood 1959

1 Begin The Beguine 2:28
2 Don't Be That Way 6:26
3 Cottontail 3:43
4 Stardust 3:12
5 Opus One 6:00
6 After You've Gone 3:42
7 You Go To My Head 5:17
8 Let's Dance 3:25
9 The Subtle Sermon 8:24
10 Kissin' Bug 4:45
11 Jumpin' At The Woodside 4:30

Alto Saxophone – Charlie Kennedy, Joe Maini
Baritone Saxophone – Jack Schwartz
Bass – Max Bennett
Drums – Mel Lewis
Piano – Pete Jolly
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Holman, Med Flory
Trombone – Bob Enevoldsen, Joe Cadena, Vern Friley
Trumpet – Al Porcino, Conte Candoli, Ray Triscari, Stu Williamson
Vibraphone – Terry Gibbs

The music on this CD, not released for the first time until 1986, features the formerly little-known Terry Gibbs Big Band, an orchestra that worked fairly regularly in Los Angeles from 1959-1962. The repertoire is primarily swing-era standards, but the arrangements (by Bill Holman, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn, Marty Paich, and Manny Albam) are fairly modern for the time; the all-star group's ensembles are tight and such colorful soloists as vibraphonist Gibbs, valve trombonist Bob Enevoldsen, trumpeters Stu Williamson and Conte Candoli, tenorman Bill Holman, pianist Pete Jolly, and altoist Joe Maini are heard from. There would be five CDs released by this band; this is an excellent set to start with. - 4.5/5.0 "Album Pick" Scott Yanow / AMG

Thad Jones And Mel Lewis Quartet

I'm really thrilled about this post.  While visiting my local antique shop, a source for jazz vinyl, I came upon this new arrival.  It was still sealed and only $5!!!  I snatched it up in a flash...

For any fans of Thad Jones, this session is an important one.  This was recorded live at the Airliner Lounge in 1977.  It's one of the last which features him in a small group.  On that note, it could aruguably be one of his best - even bringing Scott Yanow to award it 5 stars.  His playing is certainly on par with any of his Blue Note efforts.

Of course, this is a co-lead side so Lewis busts out a few times as well.  Infact, the whole band can be heard, each taking soulful and moving solos.  Rufus Reid is incredible on this one.  The whole group play brilliantly, with top flight interaction.

Overall, the album is a real gem and reminds us why Thad Jones and Mel Lewis are so important as musicians, not just arrangers or composers.  The best part about this post???  The minty status of our source!!!  This transfer came out incredibly... absolutely beautiful tone.  The mono recording throws a huge field of sound with wonderful seperation between the players.  Aside from that, I also have the 8 page booklet!!!  This includes full discographies for both Jones and Lewis, full session info, pics and even a transcribed cornet solo!!  This should make a wonderful upgrade, especially for those who have this sourced from the stereo CD.  Ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!

Artists House AH-3
1978

A1 But Not For Me 16:30
A2 This Can't Be Love 3:52
B1 Autum Leaves 15:25
B2 What Is This Thing 4:45

Bass – Rufus Reid
Cornet – Thad Jones
Drums – Mel Lewis
Piano – Harold Danko

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis - Live At The Village Vanguard

This was the second album from the Jones/Lewis Orchestra.  While it's not their greatest, it certainly is excellent - a document of their progress.  Along with big bands like the Clarke/Boland, Jones and Lewis were changing the landscape and sound of large jazz orchestras.

The music is always swingin, but the leaders took advantage of their highly skilled players.  The themes and ensemble work are modern and forward thinking.  Bob Brookmeyer and Garnett Brown also contribute arrangements.

Check out the Thad Jones original Little Pixie, one of his greatest compositions.  Overall this is a sonic treat from an ultra minty, mono original.  Ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC...enjoy!!!



Solid State SM 17016
Recorded April 1967

1. Little Pixie
2. 'A' That's Freedom
3. Bacha Feeling
4. Don't Git Sassy
5. Willow Tree
6. Samba Con Getchu

Arrangers: Thad Jones; Bob Brookmeyer; Garnett Brown

Thad Jones (trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn);  Mel Lewis (drums);
Richard Williams (trumpet);
Richard Davis (double bass);
Sam Herman (guitar, shaker);
Jerome Richardson (flute, clarinet, soprano/alto saxophone);
Jerry Dodgion (flute, alto saxophone);
Joe Farrell (flute, tenor saxophone);
Eddie Daniels (clarinet, tenor saxophone);
Pepper Adams (clarinet, baritone saxophone);
Marvin Stamm, Snooky Young, Bill Berry, Jimmy Nottingham (trumpet); Garnett Brown, Tom McIntosh, Bob Brookmeyer (trombone);
Cliff Heather (bass trombone);
Roland Hanna (piano).