Andre Previn - Jazz Releases

[Tom 1960]

I in particular enjoy his work on the Shelly Manne disc "Shelly Manne and His Friends, Volume 1". A very nice date. I also own "My Fair Lady" which also features Previn. Any thoughts on any of his dates as a leader, most notably any of his Broadway themed releases? I had the opportunity to hear "Pal Joey" and that might be something I would look at purchasing. Your thoughts as always are appreciated,

[Larry Kart]

Perhaps the most West Coast of all West Coast albums -- almost incredibly clever/precious, but the playing is expert, and the whole thing is very entertaining (too bad this reissue doesn't have the original Flora cover, one of his best):

http://www.amazon.com/Collaboration-1954-55-Shorty-Rogers/dp/B000H6SUQ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1382306505&sr=1-1&keywords=andre+previn+shorty+rogers

http://www.google.com/search?q=jim+flora+collaboration&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=1VNkUvXsKuibygGL7ICgAg&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1047&bih=948&dpr=1

[Joe]

Previn's early dates for Sunset are not 100% enjoyable or convincing (he seems at time to be playing in a jazz-like way rather than improvising in a swinging fashion... and he does want badly to swing), but they are enlightening and show off his his two main influences: Tatum and Cole. Available on Black Lion.

His three solo songbook releases for Contemporary are, I think, very good, and very worth hearing. The absence of a rhythm section actually frees Previn to play without trying too hard or for too much. And the songs themselves are sturdy enough to withstand the occasional forays in, as Larry says, "cleverness." The Arlen LP is especially good in this respect.

[Justin V]

I just picked this one up after seeing the great Mundell Lowe earlier this month:

I also recommend this one:

[TedR]

Larry,

Thanks for the link to those Flora covers. I have two Reptet CDs with his cover art (didn't see them in your link but it may not have finished downloading.)

[king ubu]

Never been fully convinced by any of the music I herard of his so far, I'm afraid. Too easy, somehow, for lack of a better word.

[ghost of miles]

Previn's early dates for Sunset are not 100% enjoyable or convincing (he seems at time to be playing in a jazz-like way rather than improvising in a swinging fashion... and he does want badly to swing), but they are enlightening and show off his his two main influences: Tatum and Cole. Available on Black Lion.

His three solo songbook releases for Contemporary are, I think, very good, and very worth hearing. The absence of a rhythm section actually frees Previn to play without trying too hard or for too much. And the songs themselves are sturdy enough to withstand the occasional forays in, as Larry says, "cleverness." The Arlen LP is especially good in this respect.

I'll second Joe's rec for the songbook albums.

[jlhoots]

For some reason My Fair Lady & Li'l Abner bring out nostalgic feelings & work for me.

Edited October 21, 2013 by jlhoots

[BillF]

Of course, he hit his peak as Andrew Preview!

[A Lark Ascending]

Of course, he hit his peak as Andrew Preview!

But Eric had to show him how to swing. Man.

[J.A.W.]

Never been fully convinced by any of the music I herard of his so far, I'm afraid. Too easy, somehow, for lack of a better word.

Agreed.

[jlhoots]

Never been fully convinced by any of the music I herard of his so far, I'm afraid. Too easy, somehow, for lack of a better word.

Agreed.

I know, I know - but Leroy Vinnegar & Shelly Manne ain't bad.

[king ubu]

Of course, he hit his peak as Andrew Preview!

But Eric had to show him how to swing. Man.

Oh, I love that one!

Also this one's not bad:

(reissued in that short-lived Capitol vocals series)

[BillF]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7GeKLE0x3s

[JohnJ]

Of course, he hit his peak as Andrew Preview!

Will always be difficult for me to not think of Eric and Ernie when Andre Previn is mentioned (I was born in Luton).

[sidewinder]

Of course, he hit his peak as Andrew Preview!

Sadly, that programme influenced my thinking towards Mr Previn's jazz LPs for at least 20 years. 'I'm playing the right notes but not necessarily in the correct order'.

[A Lark Ascending]

Don't know about jazz, but Previn did a lot around that time to deschnabelise classical music. He always presented it as something you could enjoy rather than something you 'appreciated' alongside the correct caviare and the finest wine.

I think I got my hair 'style' from him!

[king ubu]

Gee ... you just can't believe anyone actually enjoying Schnabel, can you? I get a kick ouf of Schnabel

[David Ayers]

Get it all in one fell swoop:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jazz-Recordings-CD10-Andre-Previn/dp/B006ZVI06E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382527546&sr=8-1&keywords=andre+previn

[king ubu]

Get it all in one fell swoop:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jazz-Recordings-CD10-Andre-Previn/dp/B006ZVI06E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382527546&sr=8-1&keywords=andre+previn

You sure? Missed the part in the fine print where it says: "This article may contain re-recordings offering contemporary SHMHDCD24bitK2 sound quality. The musicians involved are the finest imposters of the real thing, and have taken the liberty to correct dud notes and gaffes inherent in the originals during the process of recreation (ha!). It's even better than the real thing!"

[Teasing the Korean]

Don't know about jazz, but Previn did a lot around that time to deschnabelise classical music. He always presented it as something you could enjoy rather than something you 'appreciated' alongside the correct caviare and the finest wine.

Well, that's another strike against him. I prefer drinking wine while I'm listening to music.

[king ubu]

but then you also host these legendary pajama fondue parties, don't you?

[Teasing the Korean]

but then you also host these legendary pajama fondue parties, don't you?

Fondue, yes; pajamas, no.

[king ubu]

but then you also host these legendary pajama fondue parties, don't you?

Fondue, yes; pajamas, no.

Oh, sorry about that ... but you do chocolate fondue, too? I'll bring the strawberry wine