The Riverside Label

[paul secor]

On one of the ECM threads Chuck mentioned that there should be a discussion of other labels, including Riverside. Riverside released a lot of my favorite music, so I thought I'd start a thread.

I'm sure there will be some negative comments on Orin Keepnews, so I'll just say that whatever he's done post-Riverside I'm happy with what he produced for Riverside.

I've always been curious about what led to Riverside's demise. Was it bad business practices? Was it the fact that their best selling artists - Monk, Cannonball, Wes, Bill Evans - left to go with bigger labels? Monk left earlier than the others, and I've wondered if the other three left before Riverside folded or after.

I could list a hundred or more of my favorite recordings on Riverside, but I'll just list a few less obvious ones and leave the rest of the catalogue for others to list or comment on:

The George Russell Riversides

Wilbur Ware: The Chicago Sound

Paul Gonsalves: Gettin' Together - on Jazzland, but still in the Riverside family

Rene Thomas Quintet: Guitar Groove - also Jazzland

Clark Terry: Duke with a Difference

Ernie Henry: Presenting Ernie Henry

Budd Johnson and the Four Brass Giants

Ben Webster and Joe Zawinul: Soulmates

Barry Harris: Newer than New

The Louis Cottrell Trio: Bourbon Street

One last piece of interest (or not) - Bill Grauer's (Riverside's owner or co-owner) widow died within the past year. Her obituary was printed in the local (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) paper. She had remarried and lived in Millbrook, N.Y., about 20 minutes from where I live.

[brownie]

Have always had a special fondness for that label.

The memories of listening to the new albums by Monk, Rollins, Bill Evans, etc... as they came out remain vivid.

The catalogue was pretty unique.

Who else provided leaders sessions for musicians like Ernie Henry or Wilbur Ware.

The albums by Bobby Jaspar, Johnny Griffin, Blue Mitchell, Benny Golson, Tadd Dameron and others are to be treasured.

Edited December 21, 2006 by brownie

[felser]

Blue Mitchell did his greatest work on Riverside. Outstanding series of albums. Cannonball Adderley, Monk, Wes Montgomery, Bill Evans of course. Jimmy Heath did a nice series on Riverside. Couple of nice Clifford Jordan titles on Riverside. Three wonderful Art Blakey albums with IMHO the greatest Jazz Messengers lineup of all (Hubbard, Fuller, Shorter, Walton, Workman). My very favorite Riverside would have to be Blakey's 'Ugetsu' if it isn't Don Friedman - Circle Waltz. Friedman is amazing, and very overlooked/underrated. Frank Strozier did two nice titles on Jazzland. Wonderful Bobby Timmons titles, his best work. Johnny Griffin did his best work on Riverside. The George Russell's as mentioned Here's a list of maybe my favorite titles on the label:

Art Blakey - Ugetsu

Don Friedman - Circle Waltz

Bobby Timmons - This Here Is Bobby Timmons

Johnny Griffin - The Little Giant

Wes Montgomery - Incredible Jazz Guitar

Blue Mitchell - The Cup Bearers

Bill Evans - Everybody Digs Bill Evans

Thelonious Monk - Monk's Music

Cannonball Adderley - Them Dirty Blues

Cannonball Adderley - Jazz Workshop Revisit

late edit: replaced Frank Strozier - March of the Siamese Children with Don Friedman - Circle Waltz, which has to be on the list.

Edited December 22, 2006 by felser

[GA Russell]

When I first started buying jazz records, I was able to find some Riversides for $1.99, and had quite a positive attitude about the label, because of Monk, Mark Murphy, Charlie Byrd, George Russell, Wes Montgomery, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans.

However, as time has passed, I have begun to wonder if I didn't right then get the best that label had to offer, and if most of their catalogue is not up to the same standards.

About five years ago I got the Fantasy 4 CD box compilation called The Riverside Records Story. It's enjoyable, but on the whole not as good as the albums I got when I was in college.

I got a few in the Concord blowout sale that I haven't listened to yet, and I'm looking forward to doing so in the New Year. But I'm wondering now if I didn't overestimate the company for all these years.

[Big Al]

I've always liked Riverside's sound. I enjoy so many of the albums on that label, particularly Bill Evans MOON BEAMS and HOW MY HEART SINGS. The 4-CD overview that came out some years back is a very nice starting point, and led me to many other artists on the Riverside roster.

Hope to post more later.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Riverside/Jazzland was a good label, with lots of goodies for me.

Label by label, there's

Battle

Mongo Santamaria live at the Village Gate

Jazzland

Wild Bill Moore - Bottom groove

Sonny Stitt - Low flame

Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis & Johnny Griffin - Blues up & down

Johnny Lytle - Blue vibes

Johnny Lytle - Happy ground

Riverside

David Newman & James Clay - Sound of the wide open spaces

Nat Adderley - Work song (first one I bought - still love it!)

Wes Montgomery - Boss guitar

Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco

Cannonball Adderley Quintet - Them dirtyblues

Johnny Griffin & the Big Soul Band

Johnny Griffin - Grab this

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Black coffee

Blue Mitchell - Blues moods

Blue Mitchell - Smooth as the wind

Thelonious Monk - Plays Duke Ellington

MG

[jazzbo]

I've always liked Riverside's sound. I enjoy so many of the albums on that label, particularly Bill Evans MOON BEAMS and HOW MY HEART SINGS. The 4-CD overview that came out some years back is a very nice starting point, and led me to many other artists on the Riverside roster.

Hope to post more later.

I agree. . . great sound on those records for the most part. A few turkeys, but lots of realistic sounding gems.

The Monks. . .wow. . .what a treasure trove for posterity.

[BruceH]

Riverside has long been one of my favorite labels, ever since I got into Monk, lo these many years ago. Monk's best work was for Riverside, and more recently I've come to like Blue Mitchell's Riverside albums a bit more than his Blue Notes. Johnny Griffin, Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey, Bill Evans, Bobby Timmons, Wes Montgomery all did either their best or among their best recorded work for Riverside. Jazz would be a lot poorer without it.

[Eric]

The Monks. . .wow. . .what a treasure trove for posterity.

Same goes for the Montgomerys.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

where's the ghost of Chris Albertson to remind ya'll that Keepnews gets way too much credit for Riverside-- especially from himself? The Johnny Griffin catalog is particularly estimable and, Monk aside, is prob. best representation of what they could do. A lot of the big/medium band stuff on the label doesn't ain't so hot or rather it's not as hot as I wish it were.

Wes Montgomery = yawn.

Bill Evans = sui generis but overexposed in general.

Cannonball = a more interesting person than musician.

George Russell = underrated.

Ernie Henry = underrated.

Yusef Lateef = underrated.

Lockjaw Davis = underrated.

Charlie Byrd = fuck "chops."

Clark Terry = fuck him.

(what?! did he just say "fuck Clark Terry"? yep, hit me on the cb radio later & i'll say it twice.)

the troof is stumbling in,

mr. clementine (a prince)

Such bold, throwaway, assertions, Clem!

So you don't like Johnny Lytle?

MG

[Peter Friedman]

Monk, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery and Cannonball are obvious choices so I will pick SOME of my favorites by other musicians.

RIVERSIDE

Kenny Dorham Septet - Blue Spring

Benny Golson Sextet - The Modern Touch

Johnny Griffin Sextet

Barry Harris Trio - At The Jazz Workshop

Presenting Ernie Henry

Elmo Hope Sextet And Trio - Homecoming

Milt Jackson Sextet - Invitation

Blue Mitchell - The Cup Bearers

Clark Terry - Sernade To A Bus Seat

Ben Webster and Joe Zawinul - Soulmates

JAZZLAND

Junior Cook - Junior's Cookin'

Harold Land Sextet - West Coast Blues

Lee Morgan - Take Twelve

Charlie Rouse - Takin' Care Of Business

Don Sleet - All Members

Rene Thomas - Guitar Groove

Edited December 21, 2006 by Peter Friedman

[marcello]

Blue Mitchell - Big 6

Sal Nistico - Comin' on Up

Johnny Griffin & Eddie Lockjaw Davis - Tough Tenors

Wynton Kelly - Whisper Not

Philly Joe Jones - Drums Around The World

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

haven't heard Mr. Lytle recently enough to say tho' I'd like to... I give everything a chance & will even double back when necessary. I can qualify Cannonball by saying a more interesting person/bandleader than soloist if that'll help quell the riots.

c

Lytle was a player of such charm. Not a word one hears enough.

I don't doubt that Cannon was a very interesting person. And he did co-lead a great band. But, more than any other sax player in jazz, I think, he had those Gospel patterns which kill me. (Though I could wish that he had a slightly bigger, rounder, sound.)

MG

[clifford_thornton]

I get the most mileage out of the Monks and the Russells, though I haven't heard the Ernie Henry (like his playing w/ Monk, of course). The Don Sleet gets under my skin, as does the Rene Thomas-JR Monterose side. I don't have them, though...

[clifford_thornton]

also, Marcello, don't forget Blues For Dracula!

Great record - forgot about that one.

Also the Don Friedmans are excellent.

[Ron S]

Wes Montgomery = yawn.

Dr. Tine (as in Clem N. Tine, D.Mus.),

When someone told you to check out "Full House", you musta thought he meant the sitcom with Bob Saget and the Olsen twins.

You should slip on the K2 of "Full House" (with your man Johnny Griffin) after you listen to "Know What I Mean" a few more times.

And if it makes you feel better, slip in a little Yves Nat while you're at it.

[felser]

also, Marcello, don't forget Blues For Dracula!

Great record - forgot about that one.

Also the Don Friedmans are excellent.

Forgot about Friedman. Going back to add 'Circle Waltz' to my list immediately.

[BruceH]

Clark Terry = fuck him.

Did he snub you at a party?

[michel1969]

Happy to read a thread about Riverside... My list of favourite :

The Bill Evans (Village Vanguard above all)

Cannonball : "them Dirty Blues"

Kenny Drew trio

Griffin : "Sextet" and "Kerry Dancers"

Friedman : Day in the City" and "Circle Waltz

Wes : "Full House" and "Incredible jazz guitar"

The Mitchells

Wilbur Ware

Wynton Kelly : esepcially "Kelly Blue"

Nat Adderley : "Work Song"

Jazzland :

Don Sleet : All Members

René Thomas : "Guitar Groove"

Chris Anderson "inverted image"

Riverside and Jazzland are my favourite labels : the artworks, the variety of the music...

[sidewinder]

Two all-time favourites I've been playing recently on their original vinyl:

Blue Mitchell 'Out of the Blue'

Wynton Kelly 'Kelly Blue'

My all-time favourite though is probably Cannonball's 'Live at the Lighthouse'. That one spontaneously combusts !

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

interesting point about Cannonball, MG-- let me think about that a while... just to test myself, I'm listening to the K2 cd of "Know What I Mean?" & it is a f-i-n-e side...

Don't know that one. Always thought the sleeve looked a bit too cleverclogs for me.

MG

[michel1969]

ODE TO MUMBLES (excerpt)

clark terry killed kennedy

Clementine, you should have been a member of the Warren commission !

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

ODE TO MUMBLES (excerpt)

clark terry killed kennedy

Clementine, you should have been a member of the Warren commission !

How do you know he wasn't?

MG

[Big Al]

interesting point about Cannonball, MG-- let me think about that a while... just to test myself, I'm listening to the K2 cd of "Know What I Mean?" & it is a f-i-n-e side...

Don't know that one. Always thought the sleeve looked a bit too cleverclogs for me.

MG

It's a very nice date with what I consider to be the definitive recording of Earl Zindars' "Elsa." Get it for that alone.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

interesting point about Cannonball, MG-- let me think about that a while... just to test myself, I'm listening to the K2 cd of "Know What I Mean?" & it is a f-i-n-e side...

Don't know that one. Always thought the sleeve looked a bit too cleverclogs for me.

MG

It's a very nice date with what I consider to be the definitive recording of Earl Zindars' "Elsa." Get it for that alone.

Coming from you, Al, I think I'd better.

MG