Carisi, Woods, Brookmeyer: SHOWBOAT on Columbia

[JSngry]

Saw a used LP (has it ever made CD?) for cheap, might go back tomorrow, good lard whelping and the greek don't cry. Any good? Carisi's name always piques my curiosity.

[jazzbo]

I've never heard it. . . but I'd have been sorely tempted to snag it!

[JSngry]

Well, I was just "passing thru" the store in a bit of an unauthorized-stop-better-get-the-hell-home hurry, so I put it in a "safe spot". It'll be there tomorrow, trust me.

[Larry Kart]

I've got a copy, and it's definitely worth a listen. Overtly commercial in one sense in an almost Enoch Light manner (there's a phrase in producer Teo Macero's notes that will curl your hair, something like don't be afraid of this jazz stuff, folks -- we took out all the parts you don't like), it has one main point of interest IMO: several "solos" that Carisi wrote out for the massed-guitar ensemble. Handsomely played, they're also nice instances of C's linear thinking at work, unencumbered by his limitations as a trumpeter (at least by this time in his career, though he does take a few tasty melody choruses). The other solos by Brookmeyer and Woods are nice examples of their work of the period.

[JSngry]

Thanks, Larry. At under $5, it sounds like a can't-miss deal.

Teo actually wrote that? GEESH!

You think he had a relapse on QUIET NIGHTS?

(I know, better than generally acknowledged. But I takes 'em where I finds 'em...)

[fasstrack]

I recommend it, too. Carisi was such a good writer any assignment he did sounded good, even 'hack work'. The 'guitar choir' did a good job. Great players in there, including Barry Galbraith and Jimmy Raney (who got a couple of solos). And Woods played his ass off and really sang out those melodies.

If you want to hear some great lesser-known writing by Johnny try a guitar-trumpet duet called "Counterpoise #1". He performed it on a now-defunct radio show, "Around New York" with James Chirillo on guitar in '89 and that airshot made it to Chirillo's CD Sultry Serenade (also a distinctive recording with very good writing and playing).

Edited January 21, 2004 by fasstrack

[brownie]

That was a very nice album. Can't remember where I filed it. This was one of the leaderless date. Don't think it was ever reissued.

[tjluke68]

If you like that version of Showboat, then I recommed an LP that came out on Warner Bros around 1959 with the Jim Timmens All-stars doing showboat. It has Jimmy Cleveland, Donald Byrd and some other greats that I can't recall right now. Another good one with Jim Timmens (arranger) is on WB - Stewart/Williams doing Porgy & Bess. This one has Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart, Hilton Jefferson, Ernie Royal, Urbie Green, Lawrence Brown and others!

I put both LPs on 1 CD (with artwork)if anyone is interested in a trade...

Thanks,

TL

[brownie]

Columbia in addition to that 'Showboat' in jazz LP also had a 'Swinging Guys and Dolls' LP by the Manhattan Jazz All Stars at around the same time (1959). A delightful album which turned out to be led by Teddy Charles and Teo Macero who shared the arrangements duties.

The following musicians turned up for three sessions:

- Teddy Charles, Nick Travis, Teo Macero, Dave McKenna, Jimmy Raney, Addison Farmer, Ed Shaughnessy,

- Teddy Charles, Bob Brookmeyer, Phil Woods, Mose Allison, Aaron Bell, Shaughnessy,

- Teddy Charles, Brookmeyer, Woods, Zoot Sims, Julius Watkins, Sir Charles Thompson, Farmer, Shaughnessy.

Don't think that one has ever been reissued!