Jim R Posted January 1, 2005 Report Posted January 1, 2005 This 1968 Verve title is absolutely one of my favorite K.B. albums of all time. He was at the peak of his playing powers, IMO (his tone is unbelieveable to boot) and the variety of pacing and settings makes this a highlight in his long and wonderful discography. It has never (I can't believe this) been on CD until now, and only out now thanks to the Japanese. I don't buy too many mini-LP discs from Dusty Groove, but even at $22.99, I was ALL over this one. Any serious fan of K.B. needs to buy this. The album is divided up between a couple of different sessions, one a quartet with Richard Wyands, Ron Carter, and Freddie Waits; the other an orchestral setting (Don Sebesky arranging/conducting) with: Bernie Glow- Trumpet Joe Shepley- Trumpet Marvin Stamm- Trumpet J.J. Johnson- Trombone Urbie Green- Trombone Wayne Andre- Trombone Jimmy Cleveland- Trombone Tommy Mitchell- Trombone Jay Sherman- Trombone Alan Raph- Trombone (Bass) Don Butterfield- Tuba Jerome Richardson- Flute, Piccolo Phil Bodner- Flute, Piccolo Hank Jones- Piano Warren Bernhardt- Piano Ron Carter- Bass Billy Cobham- Drums Donald MacDonald- Drums Johnny Pacheco- Percussion Jack Jennings- Percussion Track listing: 1. Night Song 2. Blues for Wes 3. Namely You 4. Love You Madly 5. Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin' 6. The Shadow of Your Smile 7. Brother Where Are You? 8. Night Hawk 9. Teach Me Tonight Quote
Swinging Swede Posted January 1, 2005 Report Posted January 1, 2005 Yes, this release has been on my radar, and I will get it eventually. The same batch also included Burrell's next and last Verve album Asphalt Canyon Suite, which also is new to CD as far as I know. Any words on that one? Not that I doubt that I will pick it up too! The only drawback of these releases is that there are several unissued tunes from the same sessions, and it would have been nice to have them as well. Quote
vibes Posted January 1, 2005 Report Posted January 1, 2005 Thanks for reminding me about these two CD's. I just ordered them both from Red Trumpet. Quote
chris olivarez Posted January 2, 2005 Report Posted January 2, 2005 I'm a big fan of Kenny. Thanks for the heads up. Quote
Jim R Posted January 2, 2005 Author Report Posted January 2, 2005 The same batch also included Burrell's next and last Verve album Asphalt Canyon Suite, which also is new to CD as far as I know. Any words on that one? Well, that one I haven't heard in a very long time... but as I recall it's got more of a funk feel to it. I have it on a cassette somewhere, and haven't pulled it out in ages. I think there may be a couple of good tracks on that too, but overall I recall being underwhelmed by it. I'm such a K.B. fanatic, I'd go ahead and buy it if I ever saw it in a lower price range, but I don't think I would pay over $20. The only drawback of these releases is that there are several unissued tunes from the same sessions, and it would have been nice to have them as well. With my luck, it will all be out in the U.S. very shortly... Anyway, glad to give the heads up on NIGHT SONG. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do. Quote
etherbored Posted January 4, 2005 Report Posted January 4, 2005 picked up night song along with stone canyon suite, out of the storm, and who's afraid of virginia wolf. i should have picked up the mulligan title, too. each of these titles is a gem! www.fiftyfiverecords.com regards, -e- Quote
Shawn Posted January 6, 2005 Report Posted January 6, 2005 Wow! What a great album, glad to see it's finally available in CD form. All Kenny Burrell fans should own this one...hell, even if your NOT a Kenny Burrell fan you need to own this one. Easily in my top 5 favorites of his, and one of the most consistently pleasurable Verve dates from this era. Don't let the big band stuff scare you off, this stuff is tasteful as it gets and swings like MAD! Also, gotta give a thumbs up to Asphalt Canyon Suite. Really like that album as well, not as good as Night Song, but it's still worth getting...even at the import price. These records should have been released in the states...LONG AGO! Quote
jlhoots Posted January 6, 2005 Report Posted January 6, 2005 picked up night song along with stone canyon suite, out of the storm, and who's afraid of virginia wolf. i should have picked up the mulligan title, too. each of these titles is a gem! www.fiftyfiverecords.com regards, -e- Naah - get the Mulligan Concert Jazz Band Mosaic. You won't regret it. Quote
etherbored Posted January 8, 2005 Report Posted January 8, 2005 as a footnote, i've found asphalt canyon suite to be less commercial (or definitely not any more so) than night song. both are very *very* choice... regards to all, -e- Quote
AfricaBrass Posted January 8, 2005 Report Posted January 8, 2005 Naah - get the Mulligan Concert Jazz Band Mosaic. You won't regret it. I second that! It's a great set. Quote
Eric Posted January 10, 2005 Report Posted January 10, 2005 (edited) He was at the peak of his playing powers, IMO (his tone is unbelieveable to boot) and the variety of pacing and settings makes this a highlight in his long and wonderful discography. Any serious fan of K.B. needs to buy this. WOW - got it based on this thread ... not much to add other than WOW 2.0!!! Edit: Damn, this is a nice CD!!! Edited January 10, 2005 by Eric Quote
etherbored Posted January 10, 2005 Report Posted January 10, 2005 WOW - got it based on this thread ... not much to add other than WOW 2.0!!! -- did you get asphalt canyon suite while you were at it...? Quote
Eric Posted January 10, 2005 Report Posted January 10, 2005 WOW - got it based on this thread ... not much to add other than WOW 2.0!!! -- did you get asphalt canyon suite while you were at it...? of course ... had to double up to save on shipping still grooving to Night Song ... Quote
etherbored Posted January 11, 2005 Report Posted January 11, 2005 of course ... had to double up to save on shipping --- excellante! be sure to share your impressions of asphalt canyon suite... personally, i think it's getting the shorter end of the stick as i'm preferring it to night song. Quote
Jim R Posted January 11, 2005 Author Report Posted January 11, 2005 be sure to share your impressions of asphalt canyon suite... personally, i think it's getting the shorter end of the stick as i'm preferring it to night song. Hey, HEY! Start your own thread then! Night Song rules! B-) Seriously, I've got to dig out that cassette of ACS... maybe I'll change my mind... but I doubt it. Quote
jazzbo Posted January 11, 2005 Report Posted January 11, 2005 They're neck 'n neck in my player. . . Quote
etherbored Posted January 11, 2005 Report Posted January 11, 2005 hey, an attachment to a specific recording is a powerful and subjective thing. what i have a real attachment to, others may deem as pure pap... in this care though, we're talking about some excellent sessions. thanks to jim for initializing this thread! -e- Quote
etherbored Posted January 12, 2005 Report Posted January 12, 2005 Naah - get the Mulligan Concert Jazz Band Mosaic. You won't regret it. I second that! It's a great set. --- okay, ordered and on its way... thanks for the recommendations, -e- Quote
Jim R Posted January 14, 2005 Author Report Posted January 14, 2005 The same batch also included Burrell's next and last Verve album Asphalt Canyon Suite, which also is new to CD as far as I know. Any words on that one? Well, that one I haven't heard in a very long time... but as I recall it's got more of a funk feel to it. I have it on a cassette somewhere, and haven't pulled it out in ages. I think there may be a couple of good tracks on that too, but overall I recall being underwhelmed by it. I'm such a K.B. fanatic, I'd go ahead and buy it if I ever saw it in a lower price range, but I don't think I would pay over $20. Well, I pulled out that cassette today, and just thought I'd report back. I have to say, I still feel pretty much as I did 20 years ago. There are some nice tracks- I like "Think about it" and "Please send me someone to love"; and "Sugar Hill" (which has been issued on compilations) is a great track. There are also some tracks that don't work very well for me. I'm not too keen on the whistling on the opener, and all the funk rhythms and tambourine shaking on "Better get your thing together", "Put a little love in your heart", and even "Things ain't what they used to be"... just not my cup o' tea. Sebesky wins out for me easily over Pate, and even on Night Song, I actually prefer the quartet tracks for the most part. Is it still unknown who the sidemen were on "Sugar Hill"?... Quote
etherbored Posted January 14, 2005 Report Posted January 14, 2005 Is it still unknown who the sidemen were on "Sugar Hill"?... --- this track, of course, not on the original lp... does the cassette list the date of recording? even fitzgerald's site has no info on the '69 sessions. , -e- Quote
vibes Posted January 14, 2005 Report Posted January 14, 2005 Listening to "Night Song" for the first time right now, and I'm really enjoying it - great music and excellent sound on this disc. I've heard a couple of the tracks before on compilations, so this disc isn't a complete surprise, but it's great nonetheless. I've always liked Kenny's Verve sides the best, so I'm happy to have more. "Asphalt Canyon Suite" is up next. Quote
Jim R Posted January 16, 2005 Author Report Posted January 16, 2005 Is it still unknown who the sidemen were on "Sugar Hill"?... --- this track, of course, not on the original lp... does the cassette list the date of recording? According to the 1986 Clef/Verve discography by Ruppli, "sugar hill" was recorded in the second session (October 16, 1969) that produced the album (the first session was recorded on October 8). It shows the tune as being issued on both V6-8773 (ACS) as well as MGM SE-4737 ("CORE OF JAZZ BOTTLED BY MGM"). Only Burrell, Hanna, and "Brass orchestra, Johnny Pate (arr, cond) are listed in terms of personnel, and the notation for "sugar hill" at the bottom of the listing says "Brass out. Unknown (p) replaces Hanna". Quote
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