The Stan Levey Quintet

 

Lover Come Back To Me

Stan Levey Quintet

Recorded June 1957 - Hollywood, California

Cover and Liner Photography: Dave Pell

Cover Portrait: Eva Diana

Mode Records MOD LP #101

1986 (reissue - VSOP Records)

Stan Levey - Drums

Conte Candoli - Trumpet

Richie Kamuca - Tenor Saxophone

Lou Levy - Piano

Monty Budwig - Bass

From the back cover: When a man displayed two or more distinct talents in separate fields, the time inevitably comes when he must decide in favor of one to the detriment of the other. Often the enigma is solved in related fields, but for Stan Levey the directions were as diametrically opposite as one can imagine.

Today the jazz world knows Stan as the big (6 ft. 2 in.) cross-current dynamo who soared to musical fame as the king-pin drummer in Stan Kenton's 1052-53 rhythm section. His lability to sustain perfect time, whether at fast or slow tempo, makes his presence on one of the country's greatest jazz orchestras a foregone conclusion.

At one point, however, Stan was more concerned with timing of another kind. This is the timing that separates the men from the boys in the toughest business of them all – the fight game. It is a not too generally known fact that Stan Levey the drummer might well have been a contender for the heavy-weight title had dame fortune smiled on him from that direction. There are still many not-so-old-timers around Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington who remember the "big guy" when he worked the professional ring circuit in those cities.

Boxing's loss was more than jazz' gain – it was a genuine boon to the profession. Stan arrived in New York City in the early days of be-bop, and was in the right place at the right time when Dizzy Gillespie was forming one of his now famous small groups for a "swing street" nitery. Once again Stan's conception of time stood him in good stead for the task, and he immediately attracted attention as one of the forerunners of the school of modern drumming.

His career was building as a musician, though he often fondly remembered the tups and downs of his other chosen profession, and as he continued to improve technically the bigger jobs came his way. With his arrival on the Kenton band, he went on to establish himself a one of the steadier drummers in the profession.

For his first Mode LP, Stan relied on such jazz stalwarts as Richie Kamuca, the fast rising young tenor star who recently completed his own LP for the label (MOD LP #102); Lou Levey, the venerable modernist on piano, Monty Ludwig, a long-time favorite on bass of west coast jazz men; and Conte Condole, the trumpet playing colleague of Stan's from his Kenton days and one of the most exciting members of the modern trumpet fraternity. Stan's program selections for the date were equally divided between three originals and three standards, and all of the charts were prepared by Richie Kamuca.

The orderly proceeding follow:

Stan Still - This is the first of two originals by Kamuca incorporating another play on Stan's name in the title. Richie and Lou Levy have two choruses apiece with the Count sandwiched in between for one. The final bridge features Stan.

What Can I Say Dear (After I Say I'm Sorry) - Conte Condole with a harmon mute gets this evergreen underway, followed by Kamuca and Lou Levy. The tempo is danceable.

Lover Come Back To Me - The tempo is anything buy danceable here, save for portions of the first chorus. Count, Richie and Lou Levy all make contributions at at the frantic up beat, leading to Stan's solo of varying patterns. The close is moody.

Ole Man Rebop - This one is reminiscent of the ear when Stan began his professional drumming career. Penned by Floyd Wilson, it give Kamuca, Candoli and Lou Levy a chance to "stretch out" for two choruses apiece. The happy riff is broken briefly for Stan's eight bars in the final ensemble.

Old Folks - Stan's right hand opens this band with Count muting the way through the nostalgic melody. Richie and Lou Levy toy with the line before completion.

One For Joan - An up tempo original by Kamuca and named for his wife is a solid blues line which makes for healthy expression by Lou Levy, Count, Richie and bassist Ludwig. The exchange of 6's between drummer Levey and the front line leads the way out. 

Apart from the obvious values of these sides, it must be remembered that Stan Levey is ever in tune with the fluctuating tastes of America's jazz fans. His selections of tunes and personnel reflect the music scene up to date as well as prolonging a happy listening adventure. – Joe Quinn

Stan Still

What Can I Say (After I Say I'm Sorry)

Lover Come Back To Me

Ole Man Rebop

Old Folks

One For Joan