When you get up in the morning, you must have a song - Ray Charles

Friday, August 17, 2012

Ahmad Jamal Quintet - Listen to...



 When I lived in Chicago you could find Ahmad Jamal lps in every basement of every "antique" store you wandered into. Most times they were beat to death, but with diligence I found all that I wanted for only a couple of bucks apiece. The years go by and I dig these lps out occasionally and ponder how much I like them late at night. Recently one night while flipping through a pile of rock and roll records, I happened across this...woefully misfiled and certainly forgotten for many a year.
 Now I can share it with you. This is a crazy lp with Jamal using his stellar working group at the time but adding some strings in the form of guitar and violin. How cool is that?


Listen To The Ahmad Jamal Quintet

1. Ahmad's Waltz
2. Valentina
3. Yesterdays
4. Tempo For Two
5. Hallelujah
6. It's A Wonderful World
7. Baia
8. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis
9. Lover Man
10. Who Cares

Ahmad Jamal - piano
Israel Crosby - bass
Vernel Fournier - drums
Joe Kennedy - violin
Ray Crawford - guitar

Recorded 8/15, 16,17/60 Ter-Mar Studios, Chicago

Argo 673

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Marian McPartland plays the music of Billy Strayhorn


 Such a beautifully understated record. Marian McPartland is a musician that I have learned to respect and enjoy but rarely seek out. This lp falls into a category of records that far too often fall by the wayside. I would take one of these records over a hundred common rock and roll records I grew up with.

 I've slowly come to believe that "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing" Is one of these most enchanting tunes ever committed to vinyl.


Marian McPartland plays the music of Billy Staryhorn
1. Intimacy Of The Blues
2. Isfahan
3. Lotus Blossom 
4. Raincheck
5. Lush Life
6. U.M.M.G.
7. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
8. Take The "A" Train
8. Daydream
9. After All


Marian McPartland - piano
Jerry Dodgion - alto sax
Steve La Spina - bass
Joey Baron - drums

1987 Concord Jazz lp CJ-326