All of the songs on this set
except for the closing "Holy Night" (which was left over from a 1990
session) are from 1992. Altoist Hank Crawford is heard at his best on the
ballads where he really caresses the melodies, giving them a great deal of soul
and heartfelt feeling. Joined by guitarist Melvin Sparks, pianist Stan Hope,
bassist Peter Martin Weiss and drummer Grady Tate (with an occasional hint of
strings), Crawford digs into such songs as "I Should Care," "I
Want To Talk About You," and "Fool That I Am," finding time to
swing "In A Mellotone" and "Splanky." His alto playing is
at its most vocal throughout this passionate yet tasteful set, which will be
easily enjoyed by his many fans. ~ by
Scott Yanow, AMG.
Milestone Records, MCD-9201-2,
1993
Recorded 11th &
27th August, 1992 (#1-8) At Nola Sound Studios, NYC;
February, 1990 (#9) At Giant
Studios, New York City;
8th September,
1992 Synthesizers At Malcolm Addey's Studio, New York City
Musicians:
Hank Crawford - Alto
Saxophone, String Arrangements (#1-9)
Stan Hope - Piano (#1-8)
Melvin Sparks - Guitar (#1-9)
Peter Martin Weiss - Bass
(#1-8)
Grady Tate - Drums (#1-8)
George Caldwell - Strings
(#1-8)
#9. O Holy Night
Hank Crawford - Arranger
[Horns]
Lew Soloff - Trumpet
Alan Rubin - Horns
Lou Marini - Tenor Saxophone
Howard Johnson - Baritone
Saxophone
Gloria Coleman - Organ
Doctor John - Piano
Wilbur Bascomb - Bass
Bernard "Pretty"
Purdie
Tracks:
1. Falling In Love With Love
{Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (4:43)
2. I Should Care {Sammy Cahn,
Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston} (6:16)
3. South Central {Hank
Crawford} (8:31)
4. I Want To Talk About You
{Billy Eckstine} (5:20)
5. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington,
Milt Gabler} (5:26)
6. Conjunction Mars {Hank
Crawford} (8:07)
7. Fool That I Am {Hank
Crawford} (5:57)
8. Splanky {Neal Hefti}
(4:24)
9. O Holy Night {Adolphe
Adam, John Sullivan Dwight} (3:28)
Credits:
Producer - Bob Porter
Recording Engineer - Malcolm
Addey
Mastering Engineer - George
Horn (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley)
Artwork - Phil Carroll
Photography - Frank Lindner
Design - Jamie Putnam
Liner Notes - David Ritz
