Spring Into Spring - Quartette Tres Bien

Accidentally On Percy

Spring Into Spring
Quartette Tres Bien
Exciting Piano And Rhythm
Decca DL 4617
1965

Personnel:

Piano: Jeter Thompson
Bass: Richard Simmons
Drums: Albert St. James
Bongos and Drums: Percy James

From the back cover: The Quartette Tres Bien has met these demands in a personal fashion and with an unusual instrumentation. Most piano groups today consist of piano, bass and drums, but the Quartette is unique in its balance, in its additional second percussionist, Percy James, whose explosive battery of congas and bongos give the music such as arresting and piquant flavor.

Afro-American percussion instruments are often used to add color and exoticism to performances that do not require them, but in the case of the Quartette Tres Bein they are incorporated with discerning taste, so that theirs is an integrated rather than a subsidiary role. The "action" is, moreover, very much dependent upon the dramatic part Percy James unexpectedly assumes from time to time. The element of surprise is never long absent and pianist Jeter Thompson, who constantly evidences humor and intelligence, seldom seemingly prepares the listener for the startling entries of the percussionist. The other half of the Quartette – Richard Simmons (bass) and Albert St. James (drums) – furnishes an assured, mobile foundation which is vital to a group that always works as a team.

The Night Is Young And You're So Beautiful
It Might As Well Be Spring
We, Remember Jamie
Joey, Joey, Joey
There Is No Greater Love
Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)
Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
Accidentally On Percy