Music For Swinging Modners - Dave Johnson

 

Honey Bun

Music For Swinging Moderns

Dick Johnson Quartet

EmArcy/Mercury Records MG 36081

1957

Sax - Dick Johnson

Piano - Bill Havemann

Drums - Bob McKee

Bass - Chuck Sagle / Dave Poskonka

From the back cover: Meet Dick Johnson, a quiet, unassuming young man from Brockton, Massachusetts. Dick can well afford to be a man of few words, because hi music speaks so eloquently for him – these recordings and his work with Buddy Morrow's orchestra, for whom he leads the reed section and blows the alto jazz. And in the new tradition, Dick not only solos, but arranges and composes.

The Things We Did Last Summer and The Lady Is A Tramp were recorded February 29, 1956 with Bob McKee – drums, Bill Havemann – piano and Chuck Sagle – bass. The almost painful nostalgia of Things And Tramp's romping counterpoint left us asking for more.

On March 27, 1956 Dick and his quartet finished the rest of this album with Bob, Bill and a new bass man – Dave Poskonka. This was one of those session where things are happening. After a few rundowns on Belle Of The Ball the atmosphere in the studio lost all traces of the routine elements present in recording – the engineer fiddling with this controls, the musicians adjusting their horns and running thru choruses for balance.

Somehow creativity took charge and led the quartet through a series of inspired sides. Then they bogged down over a difficult tune and the mood threatened to become grim; so Dick suggested trying a little bit of fluff from "Sound Pacific," Honey Bun. This happy thought resulted in an outstanding take and they went on with new enthusiasm to finish the rest of the sides.

Bob McKee, currently sparking the Buddy Morrow rhythm section, was originally from the Johnny Hamlin Quintet. Bill Havemann jobs in Chicago and suburbs, while completing his Master's degree in composition. He has written a Te Deum, and a short symphony, which will be performed this fall. Dave Poskonka jobs in Chicago's plush near north side.

The album album was recored at Universal Studios, Chicago. Bill Putnam engineered the first date, and Tom Parish the last.

From Billboard - January 19, 1957: Dick Johnson is the lead alto in Buddy Morrow's band and he handles himself in a slick professional way in his first solo LP. The brand of jazz he purveys here might be described as swing passed thru a light modern filter. The set isn't too far from Goodmanesque dance music, tho Johnson and his rhythm section are definitely trying to be more up-to-date than that. Johnson wings his way thru nine standards of this set. Most are up-tempo and bright and cherry in mood. Not musically distinguished, but the man in the street will find this easy to listen to. Moderate sale possible.

The Belle Of The Ball

The Lady Is A Tramp

Honey Bun

Why Was I Born

Poinciana

The Things We Did Last Sumer

Like Someone In Love

Stars Fell On Alabama

You've Changed