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Saturday, June 6, 2020

Brandenburg Gate: Revisited - Dave Brubeck

In Your Own Sweet Way
Brandenburg Gate: Revisited
The Dave Brubeck Quartet with Orchestra
Produced by Teo Macero
Columbia STEREO CS 8763
1963

From the back cover: The purpose of providing an orchestral setting for Brandenburg Gate, Summer Song and other pieces in this album is not that we presume to "make it much better," but rather that we wish to experiment with the improvisational process. Our intent was to select themes from the Quartet's repertoire and place them in a setting of various orchestral textures with the desire to illuminate newer concepts for the improvisers. At times the orchestral part dominates and leads the way; at times it is a partner in counterpoint (the orchestra's line written, the Quartet's improvised). On other occasions the orchestra remains silent or plays a modest pastel over which the jazz soloists weave their own melodies.

The "studio either he himself or some other" must make, to produce an album such as this, is of no more than passing interest to the listener and should neither add to nor detract from his ultimate enjoyment of the music. For the curious, however, permit me to point out that a great deal of "studie" goes into the preparation of a score for orchestra against which improvisation is to take place. The composer or arranger must consider, on the one hand, the personal style of each improviser and take care to allow this style to flourish rather than to dominate it by an overbuy orchestra; and, on the other hand, he must try to open new improvisational opportunities which would not exist apart from the orchestra. In my opinion, however, this effort is rather minimal compared to the problems posed for the jazz performer improvising against such a score. In this case the jazz soloist accepts for himself the challenge of immediately absorbing the orchestral score and its sound along with the harmonic, melodic and rhythmic conduct of the work itself.

In working with orchestra, The Dave Brubeck Quartet has aligned itself with a pattern found often in the history of music. From the Middle Ages to the present, it is customary to find the musical vernacular of the day making its way into the serious music of the day. (One might offer as an early example the polyphonic masses of the 15th and 16th century "pop" tune, which was used by some thirty composers, including Palestrina, as the basis for masses. Or one might cite the dance forms of the 18th century which found their way into Bach suites and the symphonies of Haydn and Mozart.) Dave has expressed the belief that there is much in the popular music of our own period which has equal validity and should be used in our concert halls if such places are to be anything more than museums of the past.

With one exception the pieces in this album were heard in symphonic concerts before they were recorded. It is encouraging to realize that they were written with the primary impetus coming from orchestra societies with an enlightened policy of programming, which included a recognition of jazz along with other more traditional works. These pieces, along with "Bernstein Plays Brubeck Plays Bernstein" (CL 1466 / CS 8257), have been performed by symphony orchestra in such varied cities as Cleveland, Fresno, Grand Rapids, Los Angeles, Monterey, New York, Oakland, Quebec, Sacramento, St. Louis and San Diego, my home, where the first such performance took place at the invitation of Robert Shaw and the San Diego Symphony in 1956. The inspiration for most of the pieces in this album dates back to that time and in the ensuing five years several works were added to the repertoire of the Quartet plus symphony or chamber orchestra, culminating with the recording session in New York the summer of 1961 which produced this album.


From Billboard - November 23, 1963: Soaring strings and woodwinds are added in this set featuring the jazz combo and Paul Desmond. Side 1 is Brandenburg Gate, while side 2 spotlights "Summer Song," "In Your Own Sweet Way," "G Flat Theme" and "Kathy's Waltz."

Brandenburg Gate
Summer Song
In Your Own Sweet Way
G Flat Theme
Kathy's Waltz

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

The Golden Era Series Presents Benny Goodman Combos

Stardust
The Golden Era Series Presents
Benny Goodman Combos
Cover: Rudolph de Harak
Columbia CL 500
1953

From Billboard - August 1, 1953: Columbia Records is introducing a new 12-inch pop LP, the CL 500 series, which will retail at $3.95 including tax. This is the lowest price 12-inch LP released on the Columbia label. First waxing will be available in August, with a total of 24 platters set for release over September, October and November.

The new CL 500 series will include both new and previously issued 12-inch LPs. The previously issued sets have been taken from the firm's old GL series which retailed for $4.85. The $4.85 series has been eliminated by the firm, with most of the disks in this series transferred to the new CL line and some of them upped to the Masterwork label.

New sets to appear on the CL series include two albums by Percy Faith, a Ray Marin ork waxing, two Paul Weston sets and a dance series. Previously released slicings include Arthur Godfrey's TV Calendar Show," "Quiet Music" Nos. 1 thur 9, and a number of Benny Goodman LPs including "Goodman Play Sauter Arrangements" and "Goodman Plays Henderson Arrangements," plus LPs by the B.G. trio and other B.G. combos.


After You've Gone
Recorded November 16, 1944
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Teddy Wilson - Piano
Sid Weiss - Bass
Morey Feld - Drums
Red Norvo -Vibraphone

Stardust
Recorded October 2, 1939
Benny Goodman - Clarinent
Fletcher Henderson - Piano
Charlie Christian - Guitar
Arthur Bernstein - Bass
Nick Fatool - Drums
Lionel Hampton - Vibraphone
(Previously Unreleased)

Benny's Bugle
Recorded November 7, 1940
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Cootie Williams - Trumpet
Georgie Auld - Tenor Sax
Count Basie - Piano
Charlie Christian - Guitar
Arthur Bernstein - Bass
Harry Jaeger - Drums

On The Alamo
Recorded January 15, 1941
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Cootie Williams - Trumpet
Georgie Auld - Tenor Sax
Count Basie - Piano
Charlie Christian - Guitar
Arthur Bernstiein - Bass
Nick Fatool - Drums
Lionel Hampton - Vibraphones

Shivers
Recorded December 20, 1939
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Johnny Guarnieri - Piano
Charlie Christian - Guitar
Arthur Bernstein - Bass
Nick Fatool - Drums
Lionel Hampton - Vibraphone

Slipped Disc
Recorded February 4, 1945
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Teddy Wilson - Piano
Mike Bryan - Guitar
Slam Stewart - Bass
Morey Feld - Drums
Red Norvo - Vibraphone

A SMO-O-O-OTH One
Recorded March 13, 1941
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Cootie Williams - Trumpet
Georgie Auld - Tenor Sax
Johnny Guarnieri - Piano
Charlie Christian - Guitar
Arthur Bernstein - Bass
Jo Jones - Drums

AC-DC Current
Recorded December 20, 1939
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Johnny Guarnieri - Piano
Charlie Christian - Guitar
Arthur Bernstein - Bass
Nick Fatool - Drums
Lionel Hampton - Vibraphone
Previously unreleased

Liza
Recorded September 24, 1945
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Mel Powell - Piano
Mike Bryan - Guitar
Morey Feld - Drums
Red Norvo - Vibraphone
Perviously unreleased

As Long As I Live
Recorded November 7, 1940
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Cootie Williams - Trumpet
Georgie Auld - Tenor Sax
Count Basie - Piano
Charlie Christian - Guitar
Arthur Bernstein - Bass
Harry Jaeger - Drums

Breakfast Feud
Recorded January 15, 1941
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Cootie Williams - Trumpet
Georgie Auld - Tenor Sax
Count Basie - Piano
Charlie Christian - Guitar
Arthur Bernstein - Bass
Jo Jo Jones - Drums

Gilly
Recorded December 19, 1940
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Cootie Williams - Trumpet
Georgie Auld - Tenor Sax
Ken Kercey - Piano
Charlie Christian - Guitar
Arthur Bernstein - Bass
Harry Jaeger - Drums
Previously unreleased

Great Big Beat - Columbia Special Products

Poppin' Popcorn
Columbia Special Products
Presents A Limited Edition Of Great Big Beat
General Electric Audio Products
Columbia Special Products
2 Record Gatefold Set

Record 1

Play The Things - Marlowe Morris
Gonna Get Some Records - Sandy Selsie
Halfway To Paradise - Tony Orlando
The Washington Twist - Andre Kostelanetz
Poppin' Popcorn - George Young
I Can't Stop Loving You - Harold Bradley
South Street - The Dreamlovers
Roses Are Red - Frank De Vol
Anvil Rock - The Legends
The Charleston Twist - The Runabouts
Patrica - Les Brown
Recado Bossa Nova - Les Elgart

Record 2

Limbo Rock - The Dreamlovers
Rambling Rose - Harold Bradley
Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah - Frank De Vol
Baby Sit-in' Boogie - Buzz Clifford
Shimmy Shimmy Watusi - The Buttons
Meditation - Frank Hunter And The Huntsmen
Surfin' - The Hot Diggers
Yakety Sax - Bobby Gregg And His Friends
Linda - Adam Wade
Hully Gully - Don Costa
Ramble - Link Wray
The Bird - The Dutones

Great Jazz Band - Columbia Special Products

I Cried For You
Columbia Special Products
Presents A Limited Edition of Great Jazz Bands
General Electris Audio Products
Columbia Special Products
Boxed Set

Great Jazz - Record 1

Good Reviews - Louis Armstrong & Carmen McRae
Petite Waltz - Duke Ellington
When You're Smiling - Dukes Of Dixieland
Lullaby Of Broadway - Count Basie & Tony Bennett
'Deed I Do - Bill Doggett
Bye Bye Blackbird - Miles Davis
Fascinating Rhythm - Andre Previn
Bloozineff - J. J. Johnson
Unsquare Waltz - Dave Brubeck
Three Coins In The Fountain - Ray Bryant
Autumn Leaves - Chico Hamilton Quintet
What Is There To Say - Gerry Mulligan

Great Jazz - Record 2

Put On A Happy Face - Chico Hamilton
The Lady In Red - The Hi-Lo's!
I Cried For You - Carmen McRae
Hey, Look Me Over - Dukes Of Dixieland
All By Myself - Brubeck & Rushing
Canadian Sunset - Bill Doggett
Bijou - Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
Too Darn Hot - Andre Previn
Sweet And Lovely - Art Van Damme
Just In Time - Gerry Mulligan
Jelly Roll - Charlie Mingus
Always - Hank Garland

Great Bands - Record 1

Anything Goes! - Les Elgart
Old Black Magic - Les Elgart
Begin The Beguine - Les Elgart
Prelude To A Kiss - Duke Ellington
Solitude - Duke Ellington
All Of Me - Duke Ellington
Brazil - Xavier Cugat
Besame Mucho - Xavier Cugat
El Merengue - Xavier Cugat
A Lot Of Livin' To Do - Lester Lanin
My Gal Sal (Medley) - Lester Lanin
Make Someone Happy - Lester Lanin

Great Bands - Record 2

Tia Juana - Billy Butterfield
Cry Me A River - Lee Castle & The Dorsey Orchestra
I Left My Baby - Count Basie
Strangers When We Meet - Andre Previn
Johnny One-Note - Johnny Williams
Almost Like Being In Love - J. J. Johnson
My Heart Belongs To Daddy - Johnny Williams
Love Is A Simple Thing - Stereo Brass Choir
Midnight In Moscow - Eddie Condon
Walkin' - J.J. Johnson
Pagan Love Song - Luther Henderson
Lost In The Stars - Andre Previn

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

The Time Machine - Gary Burton

Deluge
The Time Machine
Gary Burton
Recorded in RCA Victor's Studio B - New York City
Producer: Brad McCuen
Cover and Liner Photos: Tom Zimmermann
Engineer: Ray Hall
2nd Engineer: Bert Hall
RCA Victor LPM-3642
1966

The Sunset Bell
Six-Nix, Quix, Flix
Interim I
Chega de Saudade (No More Blues)
Childhood
Deluge
Norwegian Wood
Interim II
Falling Grace
My Funny Valentine

Monday, June 1, 2020

Boss Tres Bien - Quartette Tres Bien

Boss Tres Bien
Boss Tres Bien
Quartette Tres Bien
Produced by Norman Wienstroer
Decca Records DL 4547
1964

Boss Tres Bien
The Sweetest Sounds
Love Letters
I Love Paris
Tonight
Day's Of Wine And Roses
Always On Saturday
The Breeze And I (From Suite "Andalucia")
Lover, Come Back To Me
Rhodesian Chant

Around Midnight - Julie London

'Round Midnight
Around Midnight
Julie London
Arranged and Conducted by Dick Reynolds
Producer: Si Waronker
Engineer: John Kraus
Cover Design: Pate/Francis & Assocs.
Liberty Records LRP 3164
1960

The cover art is unusual in that the color was applied on top of a foil paper so that the gold color of the stock shows through London's slacks, her pillow and the Roman Numerals surrounding her.

'Round Midnight
Lonely Night In Paris
Misty
Black Coffee
Lush Life
In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
Don't Smoke In Bed
You And The Night And The Music
Something Cool
How About Me
But Not For Me
The Party's Over


Sunday, May 31, 2020

The Flying Platters Around The World

My Old Flame
The Flying Platters
Around The World
Photo by Herman Leonard
Mercury Records MG 20366
1958

From the back cover: Jules Verne's "Around The World In 80 Days" has nothing on the fabulous Mercury Recording Stars – The Flying Platters. They many have taken a little longer, but their reward has been a host of friends in every country visited. They have been in such great demand these past two years, that it was useless for them to own cars for transportation – thus their name – The Platters have automatically been changed to The Flying Patters.

In January, 1957, they were in Australia, Singapore and The Philippines; then returned to the United States to do a rush picture for American International and several TV appearances – Ed Sullivan, Perry Como, Jackie Gleason, etc. then off again to England where they toured ten weeks hitting Scotland and Ireland and ending with a triumphant debut at the London Palladium.

Returning from England in May – by June they were in South America as stars of a gigantic stage show at the Opera Theatre in Buenos Aires. The show was so successful it was extended for twelve more weeks and then taken on tour to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Montevideo and other cities and countries. Wherever they went, it was impossible for them to appear on the streets either as a group or individually for they were recognized and swamped for autographs.

Upon the close of the tour in October they flew direct to Paris for three weeks at the Olympia Music Hall where they broke all existing attendance records with complete sell-outs every night. Before the engagement was half finished, Empressario Burno Coquatrix had signed them for five months tour through 22 cities in at least 12 countries on the continent starting April 17th of this year.

From the first day the idea of "The Flying Platters Around The World" album was conceived, much thought and planning has gone into its creation. The influence of their world travels have been shown clearly with the selection of each song, and the cover was planned in the same manner. The picture for the cover was shot in Paris by Mercury Photographer Herman Leonard where he and Buck Ram – Musical Manager of The Platters took into careful consideration the individual personality of each "Platter" before choosing the costume he should wear. The final result was well worth every effort and is bound to do much to sell the album.

Although a little reluctant at first, Tony Williams looks perfectly at home in his "Scotch Kilt"; David Lynch suits his French Policeman's outfit to a "tee"; Paul Robi could be an authentic "Maharaja" in real life, and of course – young Miss Zola Taylor represents the "Dish of the World" – Sophisticated Personified" in her beautiful white beaded French Chemise – designed for her by one of the leading designers of Paris and presented as a gift for this particular picturesque "Goucho". The charm and originality of this attractive cover should make it a prize for every album collector.


From Billboard - April 7, 1958: The Platters' current disk "Twilight Time." (included in this LP) is stirring up some action in singles field right now, which should help this album sales-wise. The group registers strongly on a group of standards and effective international selections – "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen," "My Old Flame," etc.

Whispering Wind
It's Raining Outside (Chove La Fora)
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
For The First Time (Come Prima)
My Serenade
But Not Like You
My Old Flame
Don't Blame Me
Sleepy Time Gal
That Old Feeling
Try A Little Tenderness
Twilight Time

The Swingers - The Four Freshmen

Lullaby Of Birdland
The Swingers
12 Jazz Favorites By The Four Freshmen
Arranged and Conducted by Bill Holman
Produced by Bill Miller
Cover Photo: Capitol Photo Studio / Ken Veeder
Capitol Records T1753
1962

From the back cover: The orchestra accompaniment isn't merely accompaniment. It is, rather, a smooth integration of instrumentals and voices; a device which has long typified the Four Freshmen approach. In this case it's the talent of Bill Holman, friend of the Kenton days, wedding voices to instruments with a brilliant set of arrangements. A good case on trumpet and Bob Flanigan on trombone, while the two remaining members of the group, Bob Barbour and Bill Comstock, do their parts vocally. Bob and Ken, incidentally, contribute their usual fine jazz solo work throughout the album, but here, instead of being restricted to short passages, they've been given entire choruses in which to exhibit their remarkable instrumental skills.

From Billboard - September, 15, 1962: The Four Freshmen prove it again on this fine new disking that they are one of the brightest and most imaginative of the vocal groups around today. On this new album they show off both their fine vocal techniques and their cool instrumental work on such tunes as "Lulu's Back In Town," "Let's Take A Walk Around The Block," "Satin Doll" and "I'm Gonna Go Fishing'," Fine wax.

Lulu's Back In Town
Li'l Darlin'
Let's Take A Walk Around The Block
Dynaflow
Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
Spring Isn't Spring Without You
Taps Miller
When My Sugar Walks Down The Street
Satin Doll
This Could Be The Start Of Something
Lullaby Of Birdland
I'm Gonna Go Fishin'

Impact - Buddy Morrow

Richard Diamond from the TV Series "Richard Diamond"
Impact
Orchestra Under The Direction Of Buddy Morrow
Arranged by Ray Marton
Produced by Herman Diaz, Jr.
Recorded in Webster Hall, New York City, March, 1959
Recording Engineer: Bob Simpson
RCA Victor LPM-2042
1959

This Is The Naked City from the TV Series "The Naked City"
Rawhide from the TV Series "Rawhide"
Riff Blues from the Mickey Spillane-Mike Hammer TV Series
Richard Diamond from the TV Series "Richard Diamond"
Perry Mason Theme from the CBS-TV Series "Perry Mason"
Parade Of The Chessmen from the TV Series "Racket Squad"
M Squad from the TV Series "M Squad"
Sea Hunt Theme from the TV Series "Sea Hunt"
Black Saddle from the TV Series "Black Saddle"
Waterfront from the TV Series "Waterfront"
Highway Patrol from the TV Series "Highway Patrol"
Peter Gunn from the NBC-TV Series "Peter Gunn"