Pat Bowie on Prestige - Anybody Know This Stuff?

[JSngry]

2 gems from overlooked singer Pat Bowie -- both of them great! First up is Out Of Sight -- proof that Pat's got a heck of a great sound -- one that's lean, groovy, and very well suited for the 60s-styled title of the album! Pat's a jazz singer on one side, but also has an edge to her tone -- at a level that's a bit like Lorez Alexandria during some of her jazz outings of the same time -- a very groovy mode that's quite different than most other standard vocals, with a depth of feeling that's totally great! Backings are by a small combo with Seldon Powell on tenor and flute, Kenny Burrell on guitar, and Ray Bryant on piano -- and the album's got some groovy tracks like "Joey Joey Joey", "Get Out Of Town", "Don Cha Go Away Mad", "Moon & Sand", "The Music That Makes Me Dance", and "The Sounds Of The Night". Feelin Good is fantastic work from singer Pat Bowie -- and a session that also features some key solos from Charles McPherson as well! McPherson's alto isn't always heard on albums with vocals, but it does a great job here with Pat -- sliding in nicely at just the right point, and giving the tunes a nice sort of edge underneath the lyrics. The rest of the group is great too -- with Tommy Flanagan on piano, All Hall on bass, and Osie Johnson on drums -- all accompanying Bowie with a relaxed, easygoing feel that's very much like catching the set in a hip small club. Titles include "Wonder Why", "Summertime", "Feeling Good", "Since I Fell For You", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Summertime", "Lonesome Road", and "You Don't Know What Love Is".

I know this is gonna be "local", but in a good way, or in a "what kinda connections did somebody have to have to get this shit cut?" way?

[Dan Gould]

I've heard both of these but its been a while. I should pull them out again before responding but my best recollection is that the one with McPherson is the better date, but both are solid. The Lorez Alexandria comparison isn't bad, particularly the Early In The Morning Argo date. I'd say they have a similar affinity for the blues, but I really should give them a listen again, its been so long.

I'd assume that Jazz Beat is another of those Andorran outfits but when you think about Concord owning the Fantasy material, this is probably one that gets a pass because it will never see the light of day. So you can pay your money indirectly to thieves with a relatively clear conscience, or you can always PM me.

But my best guess, knowing a little about what you look for in jazz vocalists, you'd dig her.

[Chas]

Apart from this cover pic of her second Prestige side , I don't have anything to add here except that I've been mildly curious about Bowie . Of course since I'm curious about any obscure jazz artist that really doesn't mean much does it