BruceM Posted July 4, 2007 Report Posted July 4, 2007 I'm aware of Grady Tate as a drummer, but was pleasantly suprised to find he has a career as a singer as well. This effort from 1968 with Gary McFarland in charge is an excellent listen. Tate doesn't have the greatest voice (he's no Hartman) but allows his natural musicality and style to come through. Cool version of "Work Song" rivals that of Oscar Brown. The only track I don't like is "Don't Fence Me In" which is too country and doesn't fit the rest of the album. Is that really Herbie Hancock on piano? Quote
marcello Posted July 4, 2007 Report Posted July 4, 2007 I'm aware of Grady Tate as a drummer, but was pleasantly suprised to find he has a career as a singer as well. This effort from 1968 with Gary McFarland in charge is an excellent listen. Tate doesn't have the greatest voice (he's no Hartman) but allows his natural musicality and style to come through. Cool version of "Work Song" rivals that of Oscar Brown. The only track I don't like is "Don't Fence Me In" which is too country and doesn't fit the rest of the album. Is that really Herbie Hancock on piano? Grady Tate has been making recording of his singing talents ever since that one came out. His new one is very good: I spoke with him last year and he's not playing drums anymore. At least not much. Quote
Big Al Posted July 4, 2007 Report Posted July 4, 2007 I spoke with him last year and he's not playing drums anymore. At least not much. That's a shame! He has a nicely distinctive sound. Quote
DMP Posted July 4, 2007 Report Posted July 4, 2007 I think he played drums for Peggy Lee at some point, and she would feature him as a vocalist. A wonderful drummer - it seemed like he was on half the jazz records I bought in the '60's, with "Organ Grinder's Swing" a stand-out. Quote
Harold_Z Posted July 4, 2007 Report Posted July 4, 2007 Good album. I bought it on vinyl when it was first released. An added plus is the Bernard Purdie, Chuck Rainey, Eric Gayle Rhythm section. Particularly killer Chuck Rainey AND Purdie. Quote
GA Russell Posted July 4, 2007 Report Posted July 4, 2007 Unless I'm mistaken, Windmills of My Mind was a Skye release. Unless I'm confusing it with another record, I remember listening to it when it came out. I looked for it when I placed my dccblowout.com order in April, but I didn't see it. Quote
Harold_Z Posted July 4, 2007 Report Posted July 4, 2007 Unless I'm mistaken, Windmills of My Mind was a Skye release. Unless I'm confusing it with another record, I remember listening to it when it came out. I looked for it when I placed my dccblowout.com order in April, but I didn't see it. Yes. The original lp was on Skye. Quote
mikeweil Posted July 4, 2007 Report Posted July 4, 2007 I had a copy of Windmills - thought he was a very good singer, but that the strings were too much up front in the mix. Saw him live with an all star band doing both - great drummer with monster chops and great groove! One of the best bossa nova jazz drummers around! Quote
BruceM Posted July 4, 2007 Author Report Posted July 4, 2007 "Organ Grinder", that's the one I was trying to think of! It was on Skye which was the label owned by Cal Tjader and Gary McFarland but I picked it up as a paper sleeve remaster from Japan. Quote
CJ Shearn Posted July 5, 2007 Report Posted July 5, 2007 has he stopped playing drums largely to pursue singing or for something like health reasons? Quote
marcello Posted July 5, 2007 Report Posted July 5, 2007 (edited) He wants to concentrate on his singing. Nothing wrong with him. He looks great! Here he is with Jay Leonhart in 2005: Edited July 5, 2007 by marcello Quote
CJ Shearn Posted July 5, 2007 Report Posted July 5, 2007 that's good to know. Last session I have with him playing drums is Jack McDuff's final album. Quote
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