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We live in a musically unproductive period of time. Song lyrics are written by committees. Good looks have replaced singing, and even that is questionable (LOL). Jazz music is limited to few popular tunes which are played over and over again in every album. Exploring the full range of the instrument is a novelty. These so called artists and their prodcuers have one motive; Sales and Profits. But they also have something more important in common; they miserably fail to produce. Hence, it is not a surprise that I fall in love with performers from the Golden era of Jazz, because they were talented and they produced. They genuinely cared for jazz and it shows.
This album represents the first time that Bud Shank has been recorded at length using the tenor sax. This was recorded on November 28th, 1957 at Radio Recorders Studio "B" by "Bones" Howe as the recording engineer. These performances required two 3-hour sessions, the first from 12:00 noon till 3:00pm and the second from 3:30pm till 6:30pm. Bud Shank is accompanied by Calude Williamson on piaon, Don Prell on double bass and Chuck Flores on drums. Tracks are:All The Things You Are, Thou Swell, I Never Knew , Blue LOu, Tenderly, Over The Rainbow, Long Ago and Far Away, Body And Soul.
Thou Swell give Bud Shank plenty of opportunities to swing. While the rhythm section invlovement is kept to a minimum, this tracked allowed him to showcase his touch with the tenor sax. Tenderly is more close to a ballad, but with slightly more tempo. Here, the double bass and the piano are given more room to get invloved in the music. There are some explosive drum passages on number of tracks. OverThe Rainbow is the best track on this album. Needless to say, it is a slow ballad played quite eloquently by Bud Shank. There are moments where he makes a strong claim that he belong in the company of Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins. Does his style compaparable to Ben Webster? Well, not really. Then again, there is only one Ben Webster (LOL).
Overall, it is a wonderful jazz record that all jazz lovers can truly appreciate. It is not easy to find good jazz music. They are as rare as good classical music. In this album, Bud Shank reach new heights, beyond what he has already achieved as a jazz musician. He has taken jazz serioulsy enough to recognize its artistic possibilities. It is not easy for me to say why Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, etc., "get" jazz while many others don't. There are number of factors invloved. When I listen to his playing in this album, there is no doubt in my mind that Bud Shank "gets" it. Because, he simply produce.
Few noteworthy recent acquisition in my collection:
(1) Ben Webster, Blue Light (LP, Polydor, Stereo) This one cost me big $$, but it is fully worth. I just can't get enough of him (LOL).
(2) Quitely There, Zoot Sims Plays Johnny Mandel (LP, Pablo, Stereo) If you love jazz ballads, this is a MUST have. Zoot Sims created such a warm tender atmosphere in my listening room, he forced me back into the listening room from the kitchen (LOL).
(3) Illinois Jacquet and His Orchestra (LP, Clef Records, Mono) This record include 3 selections composed by Jacquet in collaboration with Harry "Sweets" Edison where his trumpt is also heard. They are Cool Bill, which is a tribute to the welll-known disk jockey; Empthy, a sly nod to the word in frequent use among music critics and Sophia.
Happy Listening!

PriyaW

Music Lane

Review: Bud Shank Plays Tenor (LP, Stereo, Pacific Jazz)