Buddy Johnson - Buddy Johnson At The Savoy Ballroom (1945-1946)

The Buddy Johnson material on this Archives Of Jazz release is taken from radio broadcasts which originated at the Savoy Ballroom, New York in the fall of 1945 and the spring of 1946. Buddy Johnson & Walkin Rhythm Orchestra never fails to entertain and this LP in particular is a great compilation to get you started. Ripped from a well-loved vinyl there's not more to say other than sit back and imagine yourself at the savoy ballroom in the mid-forties. Intertwined in the mix are some wonderful vocals by Buddy’s sister Ella and male vocalist Arthur Prysock, Enjoy!!! 

Jazz Archives, JA-25, 1975
Recorded fall of 1945 and the spring of 1946 

Musicians:
Buddy Johnson - Piano
Dupree Bolton, Frank Brown, John Wilson, Willis Nelson - Trumpet
Bernard Archer, Gordon Thomas, Leonard Briggs - Trombone
Joe O'Laughton - Alto Saxophone
Dave Van Dyke, Jimmy Stamford - Tenor Saxophone
Teddy Conyers - Baritone Saxophone
Jerome Darr - Guitar
Leon Spann - Bass
Teddy Stewart - Drums
Arthur Prysock, Ella Johnson - Vocals 

Tracks:
A1. [Theme] Walk 'Em / Opus #2 {Buddy Johnson} (5:44)
A2. Since I Fell For You {Buddy Johnson} (3:55)
A3. St. Louis Blues {W. C. Handy} (3:30)
A4. Waitin' For The Train To Come In {Sunny Skylar, Martin Block} (2:25)
A5. Night Shift {Erskine Hawkins, Billy Butterfield} (2:50)
A6. Jodi {Buddy Johnson} (4:37)
B1. One O’Clock Boogie {Count Basie, Jimmy Mundy, Milton Ebbins} (4:34)
B2. The Otherside Of The Rainbow {Buddy Johnson} (2:48)
B3. Exactly Like You {Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh} (2:13)
B4. One For A Nickel {Buddy Johnson} (4:48)
B5. Gee, It’s Good To Hold You {Allan Roberts, Doris Fisher} (2:37)
B6. In There {Kenny Hallon, Buddy Johnson} (3:25)
B7. Traffic Jam {Artie Shaw, Teddy McRae} (4:33)
B8. [Theme] If You Never Return {Buddy Johnson} (2:11) 

Total Time: 50:09

Gene Ammons - Makes It Happen (1948-51) [re-rip]

This 1967 Cadet release repackages the 1958 Chess date Soulful Saxophone, itself a session originally recorded in 1950 in the months prior to Gene Ammons' landmark stint with the Prestige label--and while the provocative cover suggests a collection of lush romantic ballads, Gene Ammons Makes It Happen is instead deep and dark, underscored by the tenorist's potently soulful sound. A melancholy reading of "My Foolish Heart" was Ammons' first hit and sets the tone for the remainder of the material, which boasts an affecting, late-night atmosphere--the music absolutely marinates in echo, transcending the waking world into the dreamscape. ~ Jason Ankeny, AMG.

Argo Records, LPS-783, 1967

Cadet Records, CA 783, 1977

Recorded October 1948 through May 1951 in Chicago, Illinois

12^th October, 1948; (#B5)

28^th February, 1949; (#B4)

8^th January, 1950; (#B1)

2^nd May, 1950; (#A1,A3,B3)

August, 1950; (#A2,A4)

3^rd May, 1951; (#A5,B2)

Personnel:

Gene Ammons - Tenor Saxophone

Bill Massey - Trumpet (#A1-A4,B3)

Matthew Gee - Trombone (#A1-A4,B1,B3)

Charlie Bateman - Piano (#A1-A4,B3)

Gene Wright - Bass (#A1-A5,B2,B3)

Wesley Landers - Drums (A1-A4,B1,B3,B5)

Sonny Stitt - Baritone Saxophone (#A2,A4)

Junior Mance - Piano (#A5,B1,B2)

Teddy Stewart - Drums (#A5,B2)

Jesse Miller - Trumpet (#B1)

Leo Blevins - Guitar (#B1,B4)

Leroy Jackson - Bass (#B1,B5)

Christine Chatman - Piano (#B4,B5)

Lowell Pointer - Bass (#B4)

Ike Day - Drums (#B4)

Tom Archia - Tenor Saxophone (#B5)

Tracks:

A1. My Foolish Heart {Victor Young, Ned Washington} (2:48)

A2. Prelude To A Kiss {Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon, Irving Mills} (2:59)

A3. Goodbye {Gordon Jenkins, Benny Goodman} (3:08)

A4. Can Anyone Explain {Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss} (2:52)

A5. It's You Or No One {Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn} (2:43)

B1. Pennies From Heaven {Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnston} (2:36)

B2. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe {Harold Arlen, E.Y. "Yip" Harburg} (2:48)

B3. You Go To My Head {J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie} (2:59)

B4. Once In A While {Michael Edwards, Bud Green} (3:11)

B5. It's The Talk Of The Town {Jerry Livingston, Marty Symes, Al J. Neiburg} (2:50)

Preserved in the tracks of this album are ten memorable performances that represent an early Gene Ammons. This time, these sounds have been further enhanced through the process of re-channeled stereo. The crooning tones emanating from Gene's tenor on these ballads are the ideal purveyors of warmth and thoughtfulness of a quiet mood. To those who recall with fondness the excitement created by these recordings when they first were issued, this album will be a welcome treat. This album is a good starting place, and as you listen to evergreens like My Foolish Heart, Prelude To A Kiss, Pennies From Heaven, Once In A While, and You Go To My Head, I'm sure you'll nod in agreement with this album title ...Gene Ammons always MAKES IT HAPPEN. ~ Excerpts from Liner Notes by Burt Burdeen (WSDM, Chicago).

Credits:

Cover Photo - Michel Ditlove

Art Direction - Howard Blume, Bill Sharp

Note:

Originally released in 1959 as "Soulful Saxophone" [Chess Records - LP 1442]