Banjoist Elmer Snowden only led two albums in the LP era, and his OJC CD reissue is his best showcase. Snowden, who is joined by pianist Cliff Jackson, bassist Tommy Bryant, and drummer Jimmy Crawford, is the lead voice throughout the dozen standards, all of which date from the 1920s or '30s. Snowden's banjo style is a lost art, and this is his definitive recording.
Chronological development of popular music from 1960 to 1997, the impact of social change on the text and style of music. Immerse yourself in a nostalgic trip, remember how it was different before. For the older generation it - a memory, a wonderful meeting with the youth and for the young - a unique opportunity to hear music that is virtually nowhere is not sound.
Alone Together is an album by American singer Tony Bennett. It was originally recorded in 1960 and released on Columbia as CL 1471. It almost exclusively features string arrangements of standards, with a choir, harp accompaniment and sparse percussion in places. It is among the most obscure Bennett recordings. So far, it has been released on CD only in Japan by CBS/Sony until Sony Music's release in 2013
Ernestine Anderson was 32 years old at the time of this 1960 session, not long before her career inexplicably fell into the doldrums. This album finds her in great form, supported by a cast of musicians including Clark Terry, Hank Jones, Yusef Lateef, Ernie Royal, Frank Rehak, and Kenny Burrell, with terrific arrangements by Ernie Wilkins. She achieves the perfect balance in her interpretation of "Trouble Is a Man," a masterful ballad written by Alec Wilder, and she's clearly in her element in the hard-rocking blues "See See Rider." Terry's striking trumpet almost provides a contrasting vocal alongside Anderson during "All My Life," while her understated approach to a quick run through "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" showcases Jones and Burrell. Lateef's oboe adds to the exotic flavor "Lazy Afternoon". ~ Ken Dryden
The original rockabilly wildman, Johnny Burnette led the seminal Rock 'n' Roll Trio, which slightly predated Elvis Presley. Their raw, unfettered sound inspired several generations of rockers, and the best of their output is featured in this collection, along with a generous helping of material from Burnette's later (1957-1960) solo recordings. While some of the solo sides bear a bit more of a pop sensibility, there's always plenty of rock-&-roll abandon in Burnette's delivery, and the driving force of the Trio tracks is still a wonder to behold. Hardcore Burnette fans will be particularly impressed by the inclusion of 11 rare demo recordings, further illuminating the too-short story of Burnette, who died by drowning in 1964 at the age of 30.