Kenny Burrell

[montg]

I recently picked up one of the Prestige jam sessions ('Funky' by Gene Ammons) and I've really been enjoying Burrell on it. Other than his date with Coltrane, I don't have any CDs where Burrell is a leader...so I'm pretty wide open for any and all recommendations.

[Soulstation1]

[Guy Berger]

What SoulStation said. Also, though he isn't a leader, Jimmy Smith's Back at the Chicken Shack and Midnight Special feature some excellent Kenny B.

Guy

[Ron S]

"Midnight Blue" is essential, and I also really like this 2-CD set:

There's also this live date from the same period:

[Dan Gould]

All of these are excellent recommendations, but don't skip his later recordings either. This one, if you can find it on 32 Records, is quite nice:

[Soulstation1]

[Jim R]

SOUL CALL (Prestige)

MOTEN SWING (Columbia / Euphoria)

NIGHT SONG (Verve) (Japan only)

Edited May 19, 2005 by Jim R

[montg]

Thanks for the feedback.

I was wondering about Blue Lights--it looked mighty tempting, but Louis Smith is unfamiliar to me and the sound samples on amazon are obviously limited.

[Dan Gould]

There's a Louis Smith BN with Cannonball that's worthwhile, and he's recorded quite a bit for Steeplechase. He's a solid, if not particularly original trumpeter. Donald Byrd might be a good comparison: usually nice playing, not necessarily the very best though, y'know?

[Ron S]

There's a Louis Smith BN with Cannonball that's worthwhile, and he's recorded quite a bit for Steeplechase.  He's a solid, if not particularly original trumpeter.  Donald Byrd might be a good comparison:  usually nice playing, not necessarily the very best though, y'know?

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Plus there are so many other greats on "Blue Lights," and the music and sound are terrific.

(and you get the cool Andy Warhol drawing on the cover )

Edited May 19, 2005 by Ron S

[Jazz Kat]

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Every artist has that one signature album. With Kenny, its that one!

[Stereojack]

I've always loved "A Night at the Village Vanguard" on Argo, later reissued as "Man at Work" on Cadet, and most recently under its original title on a Chess CD. THis has been allowed to go out of print, but I gotta think that the geniuses at Universal will dust this one off again soon. It's a great trio album with Richard Davis & Roy Haynes.

Burrell & Jimmy Smith were always a good fit - I especially like Burrell on "Back at the Chicken Shack". "Blue Bash" and "Organ Grinder Swing" are pretty hot as well.

[Sundog]

I'll second the recommendation for 12-15-78 Live At VV. It's a very fine album. I probably listen to this album more than any other Burrell title at this point. Not a bad recommendation in the entire bunch IMO. I would add Laid Back to the list though.

P.S. Everyone realizes by the time this thread runs it's course, pretty much every KB title will be listed right? B-)

[Jazz Kat]

Hadn't entered my mind.

I bet there's one I can think of that no one will list. I'll just keep it secret 4 now.

[Harold_Z]

Here's a major KB album that I'm surprised has not been mentioned yet !

[Sundog]

I listen to this one year round.

[Jazz Kat]

Damnit!

[Sundog]

Lucky guess. B-) I do listen to it year round though!

[Jim R]

I've always loved "A Night at the Village Vanguard" on Argo, later reissued as "Man at Work" on Cadet, and most recently under its original title on a Chess CD. THis has been allowed to go out of print, but I gotta think that the geniuses at Universal will dust this one off again soon. It's a great trio album with Richard Davis & Roy Haynes.

Yeah. I would definitely have recommended that as well, if it was in print. As a sidenote, there were two other CD releases of material from that performance, each of which contained two (different) previously unissued tracks. Of course, when Verve reissues it, they'll include everything.

Burrell & Jimmy Smith were always a good fit - I especially like Burrell on "Back at the Chicken Shack". "Blue Bash" and "Organ Grinder Swing" are pretty hot as well.

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O.G.S. is one of my favorites of his collaberations with Jimmy. Also "Softly As A Summer Breeze" and "Six Views Of The Blues".... OH, and "Jimmy Smith At The Organ"!! (BN 1551/52).

I have almost everything Burrell recorded as a leader, but I've never been too fond of "Guitar Forms" (KB has used the flattop guitar on different albums, but I always miss his amplified archtop sound when listening to those pieces).

[Sundog]

I lucked into a mint LP copy of Live At The Vanguard a couple of years ago. Paid a whopping $4.99. A real gem at any price.

[Jazz Kat]

Lucky guess. B-)  I do listen to it year round though!

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I was really talking about The Best Of Kenny Burrell, though..

[wolff]

How about Burrell as co-leader? John Jenkins & Kenny Burrell on Blue Note. Just got this and think it's quite good, actually. Just wish Burrell took the spotlight more, but Jenkins sounds good as does Sonny Clark.

[CJ Shearn]

I'll second Blue Lights, Midnight Blue, Blue Bash and the Five Spot date

[Brad]

Don't think Bluesy Burrell got mentioned, on OJC. Nice cd with Hawk on it.

Re Louis Smith, I think he's solid, had a couple of nice BNs and has done some good work for SteepleChase.

[mikeweil]

I've always loved "A Night at the Village Vanguard" on Argo, later reissued as "Man at Work" on Cadet, and most recently under its original title on a Chess CD. THis has been allowed to go out of print, but I gotta think that the geniuses at Universal will dust this one off again soon. It's a great trio album with Richard Davis & Roy Haynes.

This may be my top favourite Burrell album of all time. Great how they cooperate in that spare setting. *****

I'd also recommend the two 1980's Blue Note CDs with the Guitar band - the camaraderie between Burrell, Rodney Jones and Bobby Broom is so nice to hear.

Edited May 20, 2005 by mikeweil