AOTW May 1st-7th; Kenny Burrell

[Free For All]

Kenny Burrell - Ellington Is Forever, vol. 1 (click to buy)

I'm posting this a little early because I'm going to be out of town over the next week or so and don't want to wait 'til the last minute.

This is a CD I listen to often. It is an "all star" project and frequently those don't work well, but this is an exception. The chemistry and joie de vie on this recording makes it a fun and energizing listen. Plenty o' greeze for all!

Many perennial favorites participate- Burrell (of course), who assumes a fairly modest role and leaves much space to the other players (though he does get to shine, no doubt), Thad Jones (who IMHO deserves much wider recognition as a player), Joe Henderson, Jerome Richardson, Jimmy Smith and Jimmie Smith, Jimmy Jones, Snooky Young and Ernie Andrews, who has some nice moments.

There is a Volume Two, and it's good too (though not quite as good as Vol. One IMHO), but Volume One is the one to check out first.

Hope everyone enjoys this one.

BTW, here is a LINK to CD Universe in case you're interested. There might be a cheaper source.

Edited April 11, 2006 by Jim Alfredson

[Sundog]

Good excuse to listen to this one!

Sorry to jump the gun but, Jimmy Jones' solo rendition of Take The "A" Train which closes the album is one of the most perfectly beautiful melancholy pieces of music I've ever heard.

[RDK]

Y'know, I d/l'ed this from emusic a long while ago and have never gotten around to listening to it. Think I'll address that lapse of judgement this week...

[chris olivarez]

Y'know, I d/l'ed this from emusic a long while ago and have never gotten around to listening to it. Think I'll address that lapse of judgement this week...

You ought to this one is really good.

[Alon Marcus]

This album brings some memories to me. It's a good one and Kenny actually plays very little there. When I heard it as a teenager I got familiar with Joe Henderson, Thad Jones and Jerome Richardson. Also it was the first time I heard "Chelsea Bridge" and liked the song immediately

Jimmy Smith is great especially on "Caravan".

[catesta]

Good excuse to listen to this one!

Sorry to jump the gun but, Jimmy Jones' solo rendition of Take The "A" Train which closes the album is one of the most perfectly beautiful melancholy pieces of music I've ever heard.

Agree 100%.

I'm going to give it a listen tonight.

[sidewinder]

Oh no... I've only got Vol 2

[Free For All]

WTF?

Not ONE post since april 28th??

Was this a bad choice, or has the AOTW topic run its course? (the previous choice (Gary's) received a similar lack of interest)

Perhaps I was competing with Rooster's box set BFT.

I guess I'll leave the choosing to others.

Thanks to those who did respond. It really is a nice side.

[Jim R]

FFA, you made a good selection, IMO. I must say, the AOTW discussions have been kind of disappointing for quite awhile (I'm not knocking anybody, I just think it's the unfortunate truth).

Sorry I missed this thread. I've had this music in one form or another since it was first released on vinyl. I agree that these all-star sessions often fall flat, and that this one does not. I think the reverence for Duke's music must have prevented that, in addition to the assembled talent having been of such a high caliber. For me, this material was important as an introduciton to Ellington's music (it would be some years later before I began to collect some of Duke's own recordings). I was hearing others play these tunes, but in terms of collections of Dukes songs, this was among the first that I heard). I'm still knocked out by Ernie Andrews on "Don't get around much anymore", one of the most soulful versions of that tune that I've ever heard (one of the most soulful vocals, period).

It's been too long since I've played these CD's. I'm going to remedy that in about two minutes. (thanks for reminding me) B-)

[chris olivarez]

I played Kenny's take on "Caravan" the other day on the air. The excellent all around playing paid proper respect to Duke. The whole album actually pays great respect to Duke. I only have Volume One on vinyl and I need to get it on cd and I want to get Volume Two as well.

[Milestones]

I've been a big Kenny Burrell fan for ages, and these recordings for a long time only rumors to me. I couldn't find them anywhere. Then I did track them down...this was more than 15 years ago. Loved the records, and still love them. I slightly prefer Vol. 2, in part because Burrell himself is more prominent. Great jam with Jimmy Smith on "Just Squeeze Me."

[Buddha the Magnificent]

I bought the two Ellington is Forever albums on vinyl back in the day. Great compositions and really nice playing all around. In fact, I think I'll play them now. :Nod: