Claude Williamson

[Chas]

Claude Williamson is a pianist whose playing has never moved me to actively seek out his recordings, but this may be because the playing of his I'm familiar with (his 50's recordings) strikes me as somewhat faceless and generic. So, in the event that he found his own voice in his later work, I thought I'd start this thread and ask for recommendations of his mature playing.

One recording in particular has me intrigued, and that's his 1985 album featuring the music of Sonny Clark. The album, Blue Minor, originally came out on the Japanese Bopland label. It was reissued on an Interplay LP in 1991 and again in 2006 on CD. Each issue has a different cover, with 1985's somewhat evocative of Clark's Cool Struttin' cover, while 1991's prurient double entendre cover seems aimed at 80's-era Melanie Griffith fantasists.

1985 issue :

1991 issue :

2006 issue :

Your comments on Blue Minor or any of his later recordings are welcome.

[sage1]

Claude's two albums from 1995 are excellent. "Hallucinations" on V.S.O.P and "Live at the Jazz Bakery" on Fresh Sound. I have them both on CD, not sure if they're available on vinyl.

His playing never strayed too far from the Bud Powell influence, but he has his own style that's readily identifiable.

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

dude i heard claude williamson before i heard art tatum. im not saying claude williamson is better than art tatum, im just saying, i knew about claude williamson before i knew who art tatum was

[brownie]

I purchased Blue Minor when it came out. Have liked it every time I have relistened to it!

That Live at the Jazz Bakery is really cooking! One of Williamson's very best!

[JohnS]

Thanks for alerting me to Blue Minor. I can't say that I've heard of this one before. Looks interesting.

Though I have to say I am very fond of Claude's 50s stuff especially with Bud Shank.

[BillF]

I was always taken by the title of the Manny Albam composition featuring Claude Williamson with the Charlie Barnet band in 1949: "Claude Reigns"

[Brad]

If I'm not mistaken but might be he did a good one on the Bethlehem label.

[JSngry]

  On 10/22/2010 at 12:19 AM, Chas said:

Uhhh....

[Dan Gould]

Any comment on those legs, Jim?

[Brad]

  On 10/22/2010 at 11:52 AM, JSngry said:

  On 10/22/2010 at 12:19 AM, Chas said:

Uhhh....

huuh...

[jlhoots]

South Of The Border, West Of The Sun is good.

[Big Beat Steve]

  On 10/22/2010 at 10:16 AM, Brad said:

If I'm not mistaken but might be he did a good one on the Bethlehem label.

Two, in fact:

"Claude Williamson" (BLP-59) and "Round Midnight" (BLP-69).

[JSngry]

  On 10/22/2010 at 12:37 PM, Dan Gould said:

Any comment on those legs, Jim?

Only that I don't think that "minor" in this case is referring to key...

[Peter Friedman]

Claude Williamson's early recordings were very much under the influence of Bud Powell. A bit later he incorporated some influence from

Hampton Hawes too. As has already been mentioned a few times, Claude's Fresh Sound CD - Live At The Jazz Bakery would probably

be my first recommendation.

Williamson must be quite popular in Japan as he has recorded many trio dates for Venus and Interplay. All of them make for good

listening, in my view, but I would go for the Jazz Bakery session first.

[mikeweil]

I only kept his early Capitol LPs, i.e. Affinity LP reissues of 'em - very nice bebop Bud Powell style. And he swings! 

[jlhoots]

Has anyone ordered anything from the Interplay website?

Is it a secure site?

Thanks.

[Tom 1960]

  On 10/22/2010 at 3:29 PM, Big Beat Steve said:

  On 10/22/2010 at 10:16 AM, Brad said:

If I'm not mistaken but might be he did a good one on the Bethlehem label.

Two, in fact:

"Claude Williamson" (BLP-59) and "Round Midnight" (BLP-69).

I just had the opportunity to sample the tracks from "Round Midnight". Seeing it's available for a very affordable price, should I get the Bethlehem issue or the remastered version which was released on Rhino?

[JohnS]

The Bethlehems are excellent imo. As is Keys West originally on Capitol ( I have the Affinity vinyl).

[romualdo]

  On 10/26/2010 at 7:45 AM, JohnS said:

The Bethlehems are excellent imo. As is Keys West originally on Capitol ( I have the Affinity vinyl).

It's a pity Keys West wasn't included in the Kenton Presents Mosaic set.

Available on the Fresh Sound label

Edited October 26, 2010 by romualdo