Jimmy Ponder - Ain't Misbehavin' (1998)

Time to get acquainted with one of the best-kept secrets in guitar jazz, Mr. Jimmy Ponder from Pittsburg, PA (b. 1946). He began playing with Charles Earland at 17, and in the following years played with Lou Donaldson, Houston Person, Donald Byrd, Stanley Turrentine, and Jimmy McGriff. He moved to Philadelphia and later New York City in the 1970s, and recorded extensively as a leader for a number of jazz labels.

This superb date finds him in the company of the great late John Hicks on piano, Don Braden on tenor sax, Dwayne Dolphin on bass and Cecil Brooks III (who produced this album) on drums. Very tasteful and soulful jazz expertly delivered, enjoy.

track listing:

1. On Broadway
2. Sunny
3. I'll Remember April
4. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
5. Three Little Words
6. My One and Only Love
7. Summertime
8. Man Ain't Got No Thing on Me
9. Wave
10. All Blues
11. Ain't Misbehavin'


rec. in Pittsburg, PA, on June 16, 1998

Jozn Zorn

The Big Gundown - John Zorn plays the music of Ennio Morricone (2000)


One genius paying tribute to another in this 15th anniversary deluxe edition of John Zorn's 1985 reworking of Ennio Morricone's cinematic masterpieces we all learned to love bearing the seal of approval from the maestro himself, with 6 new tracks thrown in for good measure. This is contemporary kick-ass jazz of the highest order - not to be missed.

personnel:

Marc Ribot - guitar
Mike Patton - spoken vocals
Joey Baron - drums
John Zorn - spoken vocals, alto saxophone, piano, harpsichord, saw
Mark Feldman - violin
Erik Friedlander - cello
Mark Miller - drums, tympani
John Patton - organ
Wayne Horvitz - piano, organ, celeste
Bobby Previte - vocals, tympani, percussion
Tim Berne - alto saxophone
Anthony Coleman - vocals, piano, harpsichord, organ
Melvin Gibbs - bass
Jim Staley - trombone, bass trombone
Luli Shioi
Orvin Aquart - harmonica
Richard Quine
Vicki Bodner - oboe, English horn

Also: Toots Thielemans, Bill Frisell, Vernon Reid, Fred Frith, Arto Lindsay, Anton Fier, Diamanda Galas, Jody Harris


track listing:

1. Big Gundown, The
2. Peur Sur la Ville
3. Poverty - (Once Apon A Time In America)
4. Milano ODea
5. Erotico - (The Burglars)
6. Battle of Algiers
7. Giu la Testa - (Duck, You Sucker!)
8. Metamorfosi - (La Classe Operaia Va In Paradiso)
9. Tre Nel 5000
10. Once Upon a Time in the West
11. Sicilian Clan, The - (bonus track)
12. Macchie Solari - (bonus track)
13. Ballad of Hank McCain, The - (bonus track)
14. Svegliatti E Uccidi - (bonus track)
15. Chi Mai - (bonus track)
16. Ballad of Hank McCain, The - (bonus track)

The Kenny Clarke · Francy Boland Sextet - Calypso Blues (1965)

Had it not been for the post-war migration of many top American jazz musicians to Europe, it is quite likely that the legendary Clarke-Boland Big Band, one of the most noteworthy jazz big bands formed outside the United States, might never have come into existence.

It was formed in 1961, when, with the help of producer Gigi Campi, the US drummer Kenny Clarke and Belgian pianist and composer Francy Boland and ex-Duke Ellington bassist Jimmy Woode brought together several jazz musicians of note. Although based in Europe, the band was truly multinational, also having several US musicians in the line-up.

It was disbanded in 1972, after having recorded more than 15 albums. They released many of their albums on the German jazz record label MPS Records and members of this stellar outfit included Johnny Griffin, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Ronnie Scott, Carl Drewo, Tony Coe, Derek Humble, Nat Peck, Ake Persson, Dusko Goykovich, Stan Sulzmann, Ack van Rooyen, John Surman, Jimmy Deuchar, Manfred Schoof, Albert Mangelsdorff, Eric van Lier, Ron Mathewson, Fats Sadi, Kenny Clare, Benny Bailey, Jimmy Woode, Art Farmer, Sahib Shihab, Shake Keane, Idrees Sulieman, Herb Geller, Jimmy Deuchar, and were joined on occasions by Phil Woods, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz and many others.

In between the much-acclaimed, epic recordings made by the Clarke-Boland big band, there were a number of memorable small group sessions, featuring key sidemen from the big band, which over the years have tended to be forgotten. This excellent 20-track compilation is largely a composite of two sessions: one recorded in the Alten Bahnhof von Rolandseck in Germany on September 25,1965 and the other recorded in Berlin on June 16, 1965. This is great and very hard-to-find latin-tinged music (used copies sell for big bucks on the used market), enjoy.

personnel:
Bass - Jimmy Woode
Drums - Kenny Clarke
Flute - Sahib Shihab
Percussion - Joe Harris
Piano, Arranger - Francy Boland
Vibraphone, Percussion - Fats Sadi


track listing:
1 Ebony Samba (3:55)
2 Tin Tin Deo (2:53)
3 Please Don't Leave (4:09)
4 Lush Life (4:27)
5 The Man From Potter's Crossing (3:17)
6 Wives And Lovers (3:20)
7 Ensadinado (2:32)
8 Lorraine (3:52)
9 Love Hungry (3:42)
10 Balafon (3:05)
11 Day By Day (2:41)
12 Calypso Blues (4:06)
13 Invitation (4:38)
14 Insensatez (2:41)
15 Serenata (3:23)
16 Con Alma (5:03)
17 Just Give Me Time (3:11)
18 Born To Be Blue (3:49)
19 Lilemor (4:25)
20 Sconsolato (2:32)

Queen Bey & Arthur Blythe - Live! (1997)

Fantastic bootleg live set from 1997 with excellent audio quality to boot (pun intended) as it was recorded directly from console to DAT capturing all the nuances and ambiance of a live performance, featuring the great vocalist Queen Bey from Kansas City in a loving tribute to another great, late blues queen, Dinah Washington. The supporting band is led by the great Arthur Blythe on alto sax and piano player Mike Hennessey from the UK who spices things up with a touch of British wit every time he makes an announcement through the microphone.
The repertoire is full of timeless standards expertly delivered. Great stuff indeed, enjoy.



track listing:

Vol.1

1. Just Friends
2. Stormy Monday Blues
3. The Lady Is a Tramp
4. Lover Man
5. All of Me
6. If I had You
7. Lover
8. Easy Living
9. What a Difference a Day Made



Vol. 2

1. Straight, No Chaser
2. Drink My Water
3. On Green Dolphin Str.
4. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
5. I Thought About You
6. In a Sentimental Mood
7. This is the End of a Beautiful Friendship
8. Misty
9. Teach Me Tonight
10.Kansas City Here I come
11.Summertime
12.C.C. Rider

Arthur Blythe · Retroflection · Live at the Village Vanguard (1993)

Superb set from altoist Arthur Blythe recorded live at New York's famed Village Vanguard for the German Enja label considered by many to be his finest recording. Blythe, with his trademark wailing tone, is superbly accompanied by the great late John Hicks on piano, Cecil McBee on bass and Bobby Battle on drums. This is contemporary jazz of the highest order.


personnel:

Arthur Blythe - as
John Hicks - p
Cecil McBee - b
Bobby Battle - dr

track list:

1. Jana's Delight [9:17]
2. JB Blues [9:31]
3. Peacemaker [5:55]
4. Light Blue [11:51]
5. Lenox Avenue Breakdown [11:12]
6. Faceless Woman [11:33]
7. Break Tune [9:21]

rec. June 26, 1993 at the Vanguard
enja 8046 2

Jeff Palmer · John Abercrombie · Arthur Blythe · Victor Lewis - Ease On (1993)

Another great Abercrombie offering from 1993 for the Audioquest label in the company of Jeff Palmer, another great innovator, on Hammond B-3 organ, the great Arthur Blythe on alto sax and victor Lewis on drums, this time under the Palmer's name as all tunes but one were penned by him. But, as we all know these dates have no 'leader' per se, the music is democratic and free-flowing, all in all a great and very modern sounding contemporary jazz set pushing the jazz organ combo genre beyond the Jimmy Smith realm.

personnel:

Jeff Palmer - organ
John Abercrombie - g
Arthur Blythe - alto sax
Vixtor Lewis - d


track listing:

1. Good News
2. Ease On
3. Side View
4. Blues on the Corner (McCoy Tyner)
5. Modal Scallopini
6. Mid Move
7. Gas Mask

John Abercrombie · Dan Wall · Adam Nussbaum - Tactics (1996)

John Abercrombie (b. 1944) has been an uncompromising jazz guitar innovator since day one. A restless worker who shuns stereotypes, he has helped push the envelope on modern guitar playing in his own, discreet way. Here's a live trio recording from New York's Visiones club in July 1996 in the company of Dan Wall on Hammond B-3 organ and Adam Nussbaum on drums for the German ECM label, and this is what Down Beat had to say:

"Each new album from Abercrombie provides reason to celebrate....All the songs on the album seem to have a certain coherence and connectedness. The music flows wonderfully - 4.5 Stars (out of 5) Down Beat (4/97, pp.54-55)"


personnel:

John Abercrombie - g
Dan Wall - org
Adam Nussbaum - d


tracklisting:

1. Sweet Sixteen
2. Last Waltz
3. Bo Diddy
4. You and the Night and the Music
5. Chumbida
6. Dear Rain
7. Mr. Magoo
8. Long Ago (And Far Away)

rec. live at Visiones, NYC, Jyly 13-15 1996

Lester Young - Teddy Wilson : Pres and Teddy 1956

Any tribute to Teddy Wilson without citation of this recording would be remiss. The 'Pres' Lester Young on tenor sax in the company of Messrs. Teddy Wilson on piano, Gene Ramey on bass and 'Papa' Jo Jones on drums give us some of the finest jazz ever put on record on this 1956 historic date, one of those rare, magical moments where everything falls into place magnificently, enjoy.

personnel:
Lester Young ts
Teddy Wilson p
Gene Ramey b
Jo Jones d

tracklisting:
1. All of Me
2. Prisoner of Love
3. Louise
4. Love Me or Leave Me
5. Taking a Chance on Love
6. Love Is Here to Stay
7. Pres Returns

rec. Jan. 13, 1956

Teddy Wilson - Gentleman of Keyboard

Gentleman of Keyboard, a Giants of Jazz compilation released in 1990, is a jumbled assemblage of great jazz recordings made between May 1934 and July 1957 by pianist and bandleader Teddy Wilson (1912-1986). The list of collective personnel on this one disc is staggering, as Wilson consistently worked with innovators and individualists who decisively shaped the evolution of jazz over the years. Among literally dozens of noteworthy participants are vocalists Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald as well as tenor saxophonists Ben Webster and Lester Young. Wilson is also heard in his famous role as a member of the Benny Goodman Quartet and Sextet [these performances alone warrant the admission fee - d3lta]. Though it would take quite a number of Wilson collections to accurately demonstrate the magnitude of his contribution to the history of jazz, Gentleman of Keyboard is as good a place to begin as any. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide

track listing:

1. Somebody Loves Me
2. I'm Painting the Town Red
3. All My Life
4. Why Do I Lie to Myself About You?
5. Way You Look Tonight
6. Sailin'
7. I've Found a New Baby
8. Just a Mood
9. If Dreams Come True
10. I Got Rhythm
11. Jumpin' for Joy
12. Wham (Re Bop Boom Bam)
13. Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)
14. 71
15. China Boy
16. (Back Home Again In) Indiana
17. I Want to Be Happy - Edmond Hall, Teddy Wilson
18. Rose Room
19. Just Like a Butterfly (That's Caught in the Rain)
20. Fine and Dandy
21. Under a Blanket of Blue
22. Sweet Lorraine
23. Air Mail Special

running time: 72:37

Teddy Wilson - Three Little Words (1976)

This post focuses on jazz piano giant Teddy Wilson (1912-86) whose sophisticated and elegant style graced many a record of jazz's biggest names including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Noted jazz musicologist Gunter Schuller argues in his authoritative History of Jazz - The Swing Era that Wilson's approach to the jazz piano was the predecessor of the Red Garland - Wynton Kelly school of jazz piano; he is right.

This late Wilson offering from 1976 was recorded at an unusual setting: an open-air studio in Nice, France. As a result, the ambience is a bit different outdoors, while birds can be heard occasionally in the background. This is hardly a distraction for seasoned veterans of the stature of Wilson and his cohorts Milt Hinton on bass and Oliver Jackson on drums who navigate through 14 standards that they had likely played hundreds of times during their long careers with great aplomb and finesse. Highlights include a lush treatment of "You Go to My Head," a cheerful midtempo romp through "Flying Home" (with a superb solo by Hinton), and a blistering take of "Undecided." While Teddy Wilson didn't modify his style much during his career, this outdoor recording is one of his most interesting studio efforts.

personnel:

Teddy Wilson: piano
Milt Hinton: bass
Oliver Jackson: drums

track listing:

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (3:33)
Flying Home (3:47)
I Didn't Know What Time It Was (4:17)
Sweet Lorraine (3:41)
Sugar (3:25)
Undecided (3:55)
St. Louis Blues (4:13)
Three Little Words (2:39)
I've Got the World on a String (4:07)
Don't Be That Way (3:05)
You Go to My Head (4:24)
My Heart Stood Still (2:38)
Where or When (4:32)
Basin Street Blues (3:50)

rec. July 14, 1976 in Nice, southern France