“The Peaceful Side”   Billy Strayhorn   United Artists Records   1961.   A beautiful, typically smokey Herman Leonard photograph.

This is a little-known and rather melancholy set, virtually Billy Strayhorn‘s only recording away from the world of Duke Ellington. The focus is totally on Strayhorn’s piano throughout his interpretations of ten of his compositions (including “Lush Life,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” and “Something to Live For”). Three selections have the Paris Blue Notes adding sparse wordless vocals, two other numbers add some quiet playing by the Paris String Quartet, and bassist Michel Goudret is on five of the ten selections (including one apiece with the strings and the voices). “Strange Feeling” and “Chelsea Bridge” are taken as unaccompanied piano solos. Of the ten songs, only “Just A-Sittin’ and A-Rockin'” hints at happiness; otherwise, Strayhorn’s melodic and concise playing is quite somber, peaceful in volume but filled with inner tension. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

(42 votes, average: 4.26 out of 5)

 Loading ...

“I Love Music”   Preview of January Albums from Capitol Records.     A DJ sampler compilation from 1958.

(35 votes, average: 4.23 out of 5)

 Loading ...

“Travesuras de…El Tehuelche”   This is the kind of photo that I would taken for the cover of my record.   But I wouldn’t have had the guts to go through with it!

(70 votes, average: 3.77 out of 5)

 Loading ...

“The Conquest of Space”   A conversation between Dr. Wernher von Braun and Willy Ley.   Vox Records.

(45 votes, average: 3.29 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Billy Taylor “Cross Section”   Prestige Records. (1954)   Check out the nice old tube amp.

Eight songs with his trio of 1954 (which included bassist Earl May and drummer Percy Brice); the four originals (which alternate with standards) were all dedicated to disc jockeys of the time.   The remaining four numbers match Taylor and May with what was dubbed “Machito’s Rhythm Section”: Charlie Smith on conga, Joe Mangual on bongos, Uba Nieto playing timbales and Machito himself on maracas.     Another Rudy Van Gelder session.   Ira Gitler handles the liner notes.

(60 votes, average: 4.53 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Original Bollywood Soundtrack. “Morchha”   Music by Bappi Lahiri   Polydor Records

(39 votes, average: 2.59 out of 5)

 Loading ...

“Teaching Johnny How to Become a Better Reader and S-P-E-L-L-E-R”

(33 votes, average: 3.42 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Cool Gabriels Groove Records   (1956)   Andy Warhol illustration and design.

This rare and longtime hard-to-find album was conceived to show how enjoyable cool trumpets can sound. Featured “Cool Gabriels” are Conte Candoli, Nick Travis, Don Stratton, Bernie Glow, Phil Sunkel, Al de Risi and Dick Sherman.   With a rhythm section of Elliot Lawrence (p), Burgher Jones (b), Sol Gubin (d)

The tune contained in this album were selected specifically to give each “Gabriel” a chance to show his stuff and also to demonstrate the various moods that could be brilliantly exemplified with a trumpet ensemble. The fun that the musicians had making these recordings is apparent on every selection.

Elevation (Mulligan-Lawrence) 2:54 / Five O’Clock Shadow (Lawrence-Reichner) 3:56 / Happy Hooligan (Mulligan) 2:54 / Spooky (Cohn) 2:54 / Each Other’s Arms (Lawrence-Reichner-Glenn) 3:59 / The Swingin’ Scot 1 & 2 (Lawrence) 3:10 / Nick (Benson Brooks) 2:59 / Cupcake (Cohn) 2:59 / Mostly Latin (Lawrence) 2:21 / Love is Just Arround the Corner (Lawrence) 2:49 / Something Blue (Selden) 3:59

(40 votes, average: 3.10 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Etta James Rocks the House.   Argo Records.   An incredible live show from the New Era Club in Nashville, Tenn. in 1963.   Features guitarist David T. Walker fronting a killer band. This album rivals B.B. King Live at the Regal for best live blues record ever. Etta James sings so tough, so ballsy, I can’t think of another singer to compare her to. She almost makes even Wilson Pickett and James Brown sound like wimps. On a couple of songs, she does some scatting you have to hear to believe.   Besides the incredible singing, the other thing that makes this album a joy is the audience. Their excitement is palpable. On a couple of songs, Etta gets a thrilling call and response going with them, and their energy seems to feed her. The album is the next best thing to Etta James in person. (bluemamma) 1. Something’s Got A Hold On Me 2. Baby What You Want Me To Do 3. What’d I Say 4. Money (That’s What I Want) 5. Seven Day Fool 6. Sweet Little Angel 7. Ooh Poo Pah Doo 8. Woke Up This Morning 9. Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby 10. All I Could Do Is Cry 11. I Just Want To Make Love To You

January 20, 2012 – RIP Peaches!

(60 votes, average: 4.12 out of 5)

 Loading ...

San Francisco Record Tid-bits

(39 votes, average: 3.21 out of 5)

 Loading ...