Red Rodney - Superbop (1974) [new link]

Although trumpeter Red Rodney would get stronger as the 1970s progressed, this 1974 effort (not yet reissued on CD) is one of his most exciting recordings of the decade. The reason is that he is matched with the fiery trumpeter Sam Noto. With fine support from pianist Dolo Coker, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne, plus occasional solos from Jimmy Mulidore on alto and soprano, Rodney and Noto jam through such numbers as "Superbop" (highlighted by their rendition of Clifford Brown's "Daahoud" solo), "Last Train Out" (similar to "Ariegin") and the heated blues "Fire." "The Look of Love" (which adds a tenor and trombone to the ensembles with Mulidore contributing some alto flute) is a lyrical change of pace. There are plenty of fireworks on this trumpet-dominated set. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5046, 1974

Recorded 26^th March, 1974

Musicians:

Red Rodney - Trumpet

Sam Noto - Trumpet, Flugelhorn (#A2)

Mayo Tiano - Trombone (#A2)

Jimmy Mulidore - Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Alto Flute (#A2)

Larry Covelli - Tenor Saxophone (#A2)

Dolo Coker - Piano

Ray Brown - Bass

Shelly Manne - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Superbop {Red Rodney, Sam Noto} (6:08)

A2. The Look Of Love {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (4:38)

A3. The Last Train Out {Sam Noto} (7:31)

B1. Fire {Red Rodney, Sam Noto} (2:55)

B2. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (10:29)

B3. Hilton {Jimmy Mulidore} (7:00)

Credits:

Producer - Don Schlitten

Recording Engineer - Ed Barton

Mixing Engineer - Paul Goodman

Design, Photography - Don Schlitten

Photography [Liner Photo] - Billy Root

Liner Notes - Ira Gitler

Joey DeFrancesco - Singin' And Swingin' (2001)

Joey DeFrancesco the jazz organist meets Joey DeFrancesco the Sinatra-style crooner on this, his first vocal outing. The album is rich in contrasts: eight of the 13 cuts feature a big band, with the likes of bassist Ray Brown, tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, and more; the rest are trio pieces featuring the leader, Paul Bollenback, on guitar and Byron Landham on drums. Vocally, DeFrancesco pours it on with beaucoup reverb (producer John Burk and engineer Bernie Kirsh could have backed off a bit), handling swingers like "Mack the Knife" and ballads like "They Say It's Wonderful" with equal poise and conviction. His organ is present on many of the vocal tracks, but it moves to the fore on the three instrumental originals: "Mr. Dennis Houlihan," a fast rhythm changes tune; "Did You Hear Him Holler," a tongue-in-cheek Cajun groove; and "The Sidewalk Is Wild," a sly big band shuffle that features the leader briefly on trumpet. DeFrancesco also gives his voice a rest on the swing classic "One Mint Julep," the penultimate "Danny Boy," done as a powerful trio ballad, and the closing standard, "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You." DeFrancesco's vocal affect is quite similar to Sinatra's, especially on songs closely associated with him, like "In the Wee Small Hours," one of the all-around best selections. Some won't be able to get past the hammy aspect of the album, but the fact is that DeFrancesco really can sing, and "if you've got it, flaunt it" is a worthy credo for any performer. You've got to applaud him for taking the plunge. ~ by David R. Adler, AMG. 

Concord Records, CCD-4861-2, 2001
Recorded 24th-25th January, 1999 at Capitol Records, Studio B, Hollywood, California 

Personnel:
Joey DeFrancesco - Organ [Hammond B-3], Trumpet, Vocals
Paul "Dukie" Bollenback - Guitar
Byron "Wookie" Landham - Drums 

Guests:
Mike Howard - Guitar (#7,13)
Paul Leibelshon - Drums (#7)
Dave Cook - Drums (#13) 

Frank Capp's Big Band (#1,2,5,6,8-11):
Ray Brown - Bass
Frank Szabo, Wayne J. Bergeron, Conte Candoli, Carl Saunders - Trumpet
Andy Martin, George Bohanon, Bob McChesney, Mike Millar - Trombone
Sal Lozano, Don Shelton - Alto Saxophone
Peter Christlieb, Rickey D. Woodard - Tenor Saxophone
Jack Nimitz - Baritone Saxophone
Horace Ott - Arrangements 

Strings (#1,3):
Bruce Dukov - Concertmaster
Russ Cantor, Gil Romero, Rachel Purkin, Horia Moroaica, Debbie Price,
Patricia Johnson, Darius Campo - Violin
Harry H. Shirinian, Jorge Moraga - Viola
Vage Ayrikyan, Armen Ksadjikian - Cello
Frank Capp - Conductor 

Tracks:
01. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To {Cole Porter} (3:44)
02. Mr. Dennis Houlihan {Joey DeFrancesco} (3:53)
03. They Say It's Wonderful {Irving Berlin} (4:36)
04. Did You Hear Him Holler? {Joey DeFrancesco} (4:41)
05. Mack The Knife {Marc Blitzstein, Eugene Berthold, Brecht, Kurt Weill} (3:29)
06. One Mint Julep {Rudolph Toombs} (5:12)
07. In The Wee Small Hours {Bob Hilliard, David Mann} (5:29)
08. I Thought About You {Johnny Mercer} (3:38)
09. The Sidewalk Is Wild {Joey DeFrancesco} (6:03)
10. Let Me Love You Tonight {Mitchell Parish, Rene Touzet} (3:30)
11. Kansas City {Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller} (3:44)
12. Danny Boy {Fred Weatherly} (6:17)
13. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You {George Bassman, Ned Washington} (6:28) 

Total Time: 60:44

Credits:
Producer - John Burk
Co-Producer - Heather & Joey DeFrancesco
Executive Producer - Glen Barros
Recording Engineer - Bernie Kirsh
Mixing, Assembly & Mastering - Tim Hunnicutt
Production Manager - Will Rose
Art Direction - Yalitza Ferreras
Photography - John Samora
Liner Notes - Joey DeFrancesco

The 20th Concord Festival All Stars

Here's a little gem to get your weekend movin the right way.  Some of you will remember the wonderful posts we had at the original Crypt, all taken from the first 300 Concord Jazz sides.  Infact, I had made it a regular feature of the blog - a look at Concord Jazz.  Perhaps with enough positive response and some input from you all, I could be prompted to put that project back on its tracks.  There were scores of titles I never got to, including this one here today.

This album is damn near perfect.  A blowing session of epic proportions, from some real legends.  There's not a single wasted note.  For me, Sweets takes first prize but Gene Harris was in a really amazing stage of his career here.  The fact is that they are all undeniably excellent on this album.

Matching the music is the excellent fidelity - typical Concord.  My copy is in absolute mint condition creating a perfect listening experience.  This is where being a vinyl fan pays off in spades.  We are treated to superb dynamics and tonally splendid analog.  I have never heard the CD but I would be interested if the vinyl egdes it at all.  Ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC, this is a post not to be missed!!!  Enjoy!!


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To celebrate the 20th Concord Jazz Festival, an all-star quintet of veterans was gathered together to play swinging jazz. With trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, Red Holloway on tenor, pianist Gene Harris, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jeff Hamilton comprising the group, it is not a surprise that this session is quite successful. Standards and ballads (along with a Ray Brown blues) make up the program and the results are satisfying. - 4.5 / 5.0 - Scott Yanow / AMG

Concord Jazz CJ-366
1989

1 Blues For Sam Nassi
2 Sophisticated Lady
3 Time After Time
4 Bye Bye Blackbird
5 I Wish I Knew
6 I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
7 Just a Closer Walk With Thee

Red Holloway (tenor saxophone), Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Gene Harris (piano), Ray Brown (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums)

Benny Carter - The Complete Further Definitions

What a feast for the ears this is!!  Carter is a jazz legend, without a doubt.  A true stylist, which is what enabled him to walk the path of a master.  Composition, arrangment, unheralded sensitivity and a unique ability on his chosen instrument.

For some reason, the two albums contained on this CD - Further Definitions and Additions To Further Definitions - have gone undetected on many jazz fan's radar.  Impulse decided to release both on one disc in 1997, an excellent decision.  Frankly, I think this is some of his best work and shows ALL of his talents.

Of course, the supporting players help to define the sessions.  Anybody with reasonable knowledge of jazz should be salivating upon reading the list of personnel.  All of the players are in top form, making for an incredible listening experience.  There's a wonderful sense of romanticism that's tangible when listening to this music.  Carter and co. create a sonic wonderland,  filled with all the right elements to help the listener drift off to a sublime place...

This was ripped from my Impulse! CD using EAC, then to Trader's Little Helper to create FLAC 16/44.1.  Superb reissue and remastering using all of the modern resources which make these CDs sound incredible.  The CD is OOP for sometime now...  Enjoy!!!