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Saturday, June 24, 2017

Jazztime U.S.A. - Volume 3

You Go To My Head
Jazztime U.S.A.
Featuring The Terry Gibbs Sextet, Jackie Paris, Hot Lips Page and The Marion McPartland Trio
Volume 3
Recorded at Fort Monmouth, N. J., May 27, 1953
Brunswick Records BL 54002

From the back cover: Once a month a group of outstanding jazz specialist visits different Army and Navy bases. The men are brought together and the productions are supervised by disc jockey Al "Jazzbo" Collins and Bob Thiele, Director of Artists and Repetorie for Coral Records.

Perdido, These Foolish Things and Don't Blame Me
Personnel: Terry Gibbs; Vibraphone, Don Elliot; Mellophone, Claude Noel; Piano, Kenny O'Brien; Bass and Sid Bulkin; Drums.

You Go To My Head and Cool Blues
Personnel: Terry Gibbs Sextet and Jackie Paris

St. Louis Blues, Sunny Side Of The Street, St. James Infirmary Blues and The Sheik Of Araby
Personnel: "Hot Lips" Page; Trumpet and vocal, with Marion McPartland Trio - Marion McPartland; Piano, Walter Host; Bass and Mouise Alexander; Drums

Side One/Terry Gibbs Sextext

Perdido (Last)
These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
Don't Blame Me
You Go To My Head

Side Two/Hot Lips Page with Marion McPartland Trio

Cool Blues
St. Louis Blues
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
St. James Infirmary
The Sheik Of Araby

Jazztime U.S.A. Volume 2

Honeysuckle Rose
Jazztime U.S.A.
Volume 2
Recorded at Pythian Temple, New York City, April 13, 1953
Burnswick Records BL 54001
1953

From Billboard - August 22, 1953: The selections on this 12-inch LP were recorded at Pythian Temple, New York, in April of this year. The sounds of the audience who attended the jazz concert are in the grooves. This, plus the fact that the date was done at a concert rather than in a studio, lends a touch of informality. The artists represented cover a wide range, both in types of jazz and style of performance. There are such top jazz names as Georgie Auld and His All Stars, Charlie Shavers, Ed Safranski; young, upcoming classically-trained artists as Tony Scott, Stuff Smith, Terry Gibbs and many others. The talent also includes a performance by Moondog, the itinerant musician who specializes in odd rhythmic studies. This reviewer personally thought the selection of material played could have been greatly improved. The album should appeal to jazz fans, however.

Side 1

Terry Gibbs Sextet: Terry Gibbs, Vibraphone; Don Elliott, Mellophone; Ray Abrams, Tenor Sax; Claude Noel, Piano; Kenny O'Brien, Bass; Sid Bulkin, Drums
De Arango - Terry Gibbs - Bill De Arango

Tony Scott Quartet: Tony Scott, Clarinet; Dick Katz, Piano; Milton Hinton, Bass; Jackie Moffett, Drums
Bob's Blob - Tony Scott

Stuff Smith, Violin Solo:
Stuff Smith, Violin; Dick Katz, Piano; Milton Hinton, Bass; Jackie Moffett, Drums
Honeysuckle Rose - Thomas Waller -Andy Razaf

Moondog: Moondog Plays The Trimbas and OO in Snake Time
Rims Shots
Improvisations In 4/4
Improvasation In 7/4

Side 2

Georgie Auld and Sarah McLawler: Georgie Auld, Tenor Sax; Sarah McLowler, Organ and Vocal; Mundell Lowe, Guitar; Specs Powell, Drums
Red Light

Georgie Auld And His All-Stars: Charlie Shavers, Trumpet, Kai Winding, Trombone; Tony Scott, Clarinet; Georgie Auld, Tenor Sax; Lou Stein, Piano; Mudell Lowe, Guitar; Ed Safranski, Bass; Specs Powell, Drums
Lucky Duck - Heal Hefti
I've Got A Crush On You - George Gershwin - Ira Gershwin
One O'Clock Jump - Count Basie

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Jazztime U. S. A. Volume 1 - Terry Gibbs and Mary Lou Williams

Down Beat
Jazztime U. S. A.
Volume 1
Featuring Terry Gibbs Sextext and Mary Lou Williams and her Orchestra
Brunswick Records BL 54000
1952

From the back cover:

About Terry Gibbs

Terry Gibbs was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., on October 13, 1924. When he was twelve years old he won the Major Bowes Contest on the concert xylophone. While attending Tilden High School in Brooklyn he made many radio, theatre, and concert appearances, and it was during the period that Terry also mastered the drums and tympani.

Upon graduation from high school, Uncle Sam booked Terry for a three year engagement, which he served in an armored division. After discharge, he was featured over network radio from New York. During this period Tommy Dorsey asked Terry to join his band for a special coast engagement in a featured spot. A. D. (or After Dorsey) Terry joined Chubby Jackson's outfit for a three month European tour.

Upon his return to the U.S. Terry was heard with Buddy Rich's orchestra and was featured at such top spots as the Palladium, Hollywood; Howard Theatre, Washington; Paramount and Apollo Theatre in New York, among others. While with the band, Terry was also featured in a musical short for Universal-International. After leaving Rich's band Terry joined Woody Herman and was featured at such top spots as the Empire Room, Hollywood; Royal Roost, New York; Blue Note, Chicago; and many others. At the same time Terry appeared on leading TV show such as the "Ed Sullivan Show" and the "Eddie Condon Show" among others.

After his arrangement with Herman, Terry Gibbs joined T. D. for a special eastern engagement, and then went on to Benny Goodman on the "Star Time TV Show." Here he was picked as the king of the vibes by the "Downbeat" and "Metronome" polls for the year 1950-51.

On the strength of this honor, Terry Gibbs formed the group known as Terry Gibbs and his Sextet which was an immediate success with the customers and critics alike.

About Mary Lou Williams

She was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1911, and her musical career began when she was three. While seated on her mother's lap at the organ, Mary Lou picked out the melody of several tunes she had heard her mother play. Less than a year later she was earning money playing for local bridge and house parties.

At eleven, Mary Lou got her first professional job, replacing a pianist who had walked out on a show called "Hits and Bits." Graduating from high school with honors at sixteen, she left Pittsburgh for a tour that lasted several years. In 1931m Mary Lou went to work with an 18 piece band, as pianist, arranger, and composer. Her playing, arranging and her original compositions gave the entire ensemble the beat and inspiration that enabled them to make a mark in the history of jazz. All her recordings are treasured collector's items.

Mary Lou Williams quickly became one of the most respected and sought-after people in the field of contemporary music. For a number of years, her home has been open to all who are interested in and responsible for the progress of modern music. Many of the most far-reaching innovations in jazz were first during the frequent discussions and work sessions that are held in her apartment. She may be called the "Queen Of Modern Jazz" with undeniable justification. Few days pass without her receiving a phone call from some musician who seeks her help and advice on a musical problem or someone who wants her reassuring presence at a recording session. As many as ten calls per day come over her phone from youngsters who want to learn to play her kind of music. Mary Lou selects the most promising of these, and devotes her time to developing their potential talents.

Besides her countless appearances at American's leading night clubs, television and radio shows, she has given many concerts at Town Hall, Carnegie Hall, and college auditoriums, and is the composer of more than two hundred tunes.


Also from the back cover: On T. & S., a Gibbs tune, the solos are by Don Elliott, the versatile young ex-Shearing star, on mellophone; Terry on vibes; and Horace Silver on piano. On Flyin' Home Billy Taylor takes over at the piano; Kai Winding has one of his swingengest trombone choruses; Howard McGhee handles the trumpet chores brilliantly; and the climax is a long duet for four mallets by Don Elliott and Terry, both playing on the same vibraharp. You will have a fascinating time trying to figure out who is playing what, and when. All we can tell you is that between the two of them, Terry and Don make this a unique event. The rhythm section (Billy Taylor, Chuck Waye, George Duvivier, and Sid Bulkin) keeps up the frantic pace superbly.

The second group on this session was under the leadership of Mary Lou Williams, a greatly respected jazz figure for two decades and one who has always kept up with new stylistic developments. With her are Harold Baker, whose muted trumpet work in Down Beat and C Jam Blues will rank among the tastiest performances of the year; Vic Dickenson, the great trombone veteran; Morris Lane, a Lionel Hampton alumnus who plays a tenor sax in the big-toned Coleman Hawkins tradition; and Newell John, a new guitar star recruited from Loumell Morgan's combo to take part in this jam session.

We need hardly to add that with Don Lamond and Ed Safranski completing the rhythm section, this group gets a fine a beat as you could wish – and, thanks to the recording conditions, every man can be heard perfectly... and memorably.


T And S
I Don't Know What Love Is
Flying Home
Three Little Words
Down Beat
Out Of Nowhere
C Jam Blues

Quiet Music Volume 1 - Columbia Salon Orchestra

Clare De Lune
Quiet Music
Volume 1
Easy Listening For Your Relaxation
Columbia Salon Orchestra
Columbia Records GL 510

Clair De Lune
Blue Danube Waltz
Tuica
La Paloma
Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
Minuet In G
Spring Song
Bright Shines The Moon
La Rayuela
Speak To Me Of Love
No Longer Does The Dawn Caress Me
Schubert's Serenade

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

The African Mbira - Music Of The Shona People Of Rhodesia

The African Mbira
Music Of The Shona People Of Rhodesia
Played & Sung by Dumisani Abraham Maraire
With Nkosana Arthur Maraire, voice & bisho
Sukutai Laura Chlora, voice
Coordinator: Teresa Sterne
Producer: Robert Garfias
Recording Engineer: Daniel C. Grinstead
Art Direction & Cover Design: Robert L. Heimall
Cover Art: Bob Ziering
Nonesuch Records Explorer Series H-72043
1971

Available from online vendors, under the title: Zimbabwe The African Mbira: Music Of The Shona People.

Lovely flow of voice and rhythm. Consistent bright, light tonal quality present throughout the set.

From the back cover: Dumisani Abraham Maraire is a Shona musician possessing a wide range of abilities. Dancer, singer, drummer, marimba player, as well as an excellent player of the 15-note junta mbira heard on this record, he has been a lecturer in the School of Music at the University of Washington since 1967. He is assisted in this recording by his brother, Nkosana Arthur Maraire, and Sukutai Laura Chiora, both of whom are students.

Kana Ndoda Kuramba Murume
Tipe Tizie
Misorodzi
Gumbukumbu
Ndini Baba
Urombo

A Swinger's Holiday - Vic Schoen

Nine Penny Theme (Vic Schoen)
A Swinger's Holiday
Vic Schoen And His Orchestra
Producer: Si Waronker
Cover Design: Garrett-Howard
Engineer: Ted Keep
Liberty LST 7018
1958

From the back cover: Our thanks to the officers and men of the Strategic Air Command, March Air Force Base, Riverside, California, for their help and cooperation in the production of this cover.

Also from the back cover: History is full of distinguished musicians who began at a very early age... Vic Schoen is one of them. He achieved success in early maturity with such popular recordings as the Andrew Sisters' "Bet Mir Best Du Schoen" (the last word of that title being an interesting coincidence!), "Beer Barrel Polka", "Apple Blossom Time" and "Rum And Coca Cola", to name a few. He has furnished music for some of the greatest names in show business – Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Hope, Dick Haymes, Danny Kaye and many others. He worked with Crosby and Hope in several of the hilarious "Road" pictures: "Road To Rio", "Road To Morocco", "Road To Zanzibar" among others, and has conducted and written for the Dinah Shore Show, the Colgate Comedy Hour, and the Jack Carson TV Show. He has just concluded a very successful series on CBS-TV with Patti Page's "The Big Record". We feel that Mr. Schoen may well have another "Big Record" to his credit with "A Swinger's Holiday".

Heartaches
My Heart Swings
Six Days Before Never
If I Love Again
Paradise
That Old Black Magic
I Fall In Love Too Easily
Autumn Leaves
Nine Penny Theme
A Swingin' Holiday
I'll Always Be In Love With You
Marion

Monday, June 19, 2017

Jazz Surprise - The Modern Jazz Stars

Perdido
Jazz Surprise
The Modern Jazz Stars
Photography: Too Walker, Beverly Hills
Crown Records
CLP 5008
1957

Recordings from 1947 "Gene Norman Just Jazz Concerts"

Personnel:
Alto Saxophone – Sonny Criss
Bass – Red Callender
Drums – Jackie Mills
Piano – Dodo Marmarosa
Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon
Trumpet – Howard McGhee
Vocals – Anita O' Day (Fall Out & Cherokee)

Fall Out
C-Jam Blues
Moonlight
Perdido
Wailin'
High-Time
Cherokee
Scratch
Off Nite

Jet Flight - Norrie Paramor

Evening On Tokyo's Sumida (Stereo)
Norrie Paramor's
Jet Flight
Brilliant Listening Music by England's Finest Orchestra
Font cover color photo of the Boeing 101 in flight courtesy of Pan American World Airways
Paramor photo by Derek Allen
Capitol Records
Recorded In London
T10190 (Mono) & ST 10190 (Stereo)
1958

From Billboard - October 20, 1958: Paramor's smooth keyboards and attractive sound effects highlight this instrumental tour of 10 countries. "Barcelona" and "Jumpin' Johannesburg" are standouts. Striking cover shot of Pan-Am's new jet.

Holiday In London (England)
Rainy Night In Paris (France)
Venetian Blue (Italy)
Barcelona (Spain)
Jumpin' Johannesburg (South Africa)
Brazilian Hangover (Brazil
Honolulu Honeymoon (Hawaii)
Sydney Stopover (Australia)
Evening On Tokyo's Sumida (Japan)
Sunday At Chapultepec (Mexico)
Majorca (Spain)
Sunset On The Tiber (Italy)

Sunday, June 18, 2017

A Night At Kitty's - Herbie Fields Sextet

You Go To My Head
A Night At Kitty's
Herbie Fields' Sextet
Cover Photography by Mike Tatem, posed by Flo Williams
RKO Unique ULP 124
1957

Production of this album was made possible by Buddy De Long of Kitty's Show Bar and Nat Room. Original recording by Robert Buchsbaum of Coronet Recording Co., Columbus, Ohio.

Personnel:
Herbie Fields – Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Sax, also Clarinet
Joe Black – Piano
Bob De Nardo – Guitar
Lon Norman – Trombone
Tiny Mazza – Bass
Frank Root – Drums

From the back cover: This album is a typical grouping of the complete variety of tunes you might hear the Sextet play during one of their nightly sessions at Kitty's Show Bar in Columbus, Ohio. All of these tunes were actually recorded during one evening at the popular nightspot where the best musical groups in the country are featured, so whether or not you're lucky enough to go and hear the group in person, you can still enjoy their swing-to-sweet renditions with this on-the-spot recording. – Larry Meeks

Take The "A" Train
Satin Doll
Undecided
Song From "Moulin Rouge"
Bernie's Tune
Dark Horse
You Go To My Head
Memories Of You
How High The Moon
Mambo Inn
Green Eyes
Flying Home
Soprano Boogie

Musical Cocktail Party - Cedric Dumont

Vilja-Lied
Musical Cocktail Party
With Cedric Dumont
His Orchestra and His Shaker
Recorded by Deutsche Grammophon-Polydor Series
Decca Records DL 8600
1958

All recommended cocktails are original recipes by Cedric Dumont. Copyright 1955 by Cedric Dumont, Basle, Switzerland.

From Billboard - January 20, 1958: This can best be described as bubbly music. It's bright, with a happy continental type sound. Strings, harp, accordion, etc., dominate the disk, which was well cut by the Deutsche Grammophon people in Germany. Liner notes by the maestro himself tie in a recipe of his own making for a cocktail to go with each selection. Mood music that's different enough to interesting.

A Toast To Wine
Ballroom Whispers
Swiss Boy
Sarie Marei
Ferry Boat Serenade
Amboss-Polka
High Feathers
Fireproof
Vilja-Lied
Swiss Girl
Guitar Serenade
Spanish Fire
A Toast To Wine

Cocktails Anyone? - Bob Creash Quintet

The Sheik Of Araby
Cocktails Anyone?
Bob Creash Quintet
Unique LP 104
A Subsidiary Of RKO Teleradio Pictures, Inc.
1956

From the back cover: Usually a musician starts out and stays in one phase of the music business, but Creash has moved around a lot since his starts as a sideman in dance bands, with ventures into radio, television and personal accompaniment. Two stars backed by his able accompaniment are Denise Darcel and Jackie Gleason. Besides his fine musicianship as an accordionist and arranger, the versatile Bob Creash also has a great gift for story telling and entertains by the hour anybody he happens to be working with.

Known as a "musician's musician," Bob has worked in nearly every big night club and hotel in the East in addition to his radio and television work. Before going on his own, Bob played with such popular name bands as Tommy Tucker. Buddy Rogers, Enoch Light, Ray Block, and was a member of the staff bands for the Herb Sheldon radio show, Stork Club show, Igor Cassini show and Star-time on television.

For over seven years, Bob entertained the guests of the Hotel New Yorker which he regards as his "home-away-from-home." He then decided to concentrate his efforts on the recording end of the business. You can recognize a phrase or two of his on an Eddie Fisher hit record, or a June Valli performance. But note it's Bob's turn to be "up front" for a change.

For his Quintet Bob Creash has gathered together a group of top recording musicians... with Bob himself on accordion – Jim Brokenshire, clarinet – Bill Suyker, guitar – Charles Scardion, bass and Joe Madding, drums. – Larry Meeks


Idaho
Smiles
Jeepers Creepers
If You Knew Susie
The Sheik Of Araby
Should I
Ain't She Sweet
Yes Sir, That's My Baby
Do You Ever Think Of Me
Bye Bye Blackbird
I Want A Girl
Shine