True Blue is led in title under the auspices of Dexter Gordon as a welcome home party conducted by Don Schlitten for the expatriate tenor saxophonist in 1976. Essentially a jam session, this very talented septet features a two tenor-two trumpet front line, utilized to emphasize the soloing strength of the horns, not necessarily in joyous shouts or big-band like unison outbursts. The real star here is Barry Harris, and if you listen closely to his comping behind the soloist or his many colorful chords and single-line runs, you realize how brilliant he continued to be in his prime during this beyond-bebop time frame. The distinctly different, legato flavored sound of Al Cohn contrasts nicely to the broader range and richer tones of Gordon, while Blue Mitchell's warm West Coast trumpet phrasings also run aside but a little behind the animated and clipped brassy sounds of Sam Noto, a player deserving much wider recognition, and playing to the hilt on this recording. The session kicks off with the classic superimposed melodies of "Lady Bird" and "Half Nelson," with melodies split between the trumpet and tenor tandems.
Blue Floyd, an all-star jam band performing variations on the material of Pink Floyd, are a spin off from Gov’t Mule, featuring Allen Woody and Matt Abts from Gov’t Mule, Berry Oakley (son of Raymond Berry Oakley from The Allman Brothers) on bass, Mark Ford (The Black Crows) on lead guitarist, and Johnny Neil (Dickey Betts Band And The Allman Brothers) on keyboards. This 3 disc set was recorded on the bands 2000 tour in Alexandria, Vancouver. Gov’t Mule have recently toured Europe, promoting their new releases including Dark Side Of The Mule, following on from Blue Floyds reinterpretation of the Pink Floyd catalogue.
This is a keeper from the word "go." Recorded live in 1995 (but not released until 1998) at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, Robben Ford is joined by long-time Blue Line trio members Roscoe Beck on bass and Tom Brechtlein on drums, as well as Bill Boublitz on a baby grand piano. Although nearly all of the songs can be found on other Ford albums (most are from Handful of Blues), one of the things that makes this jazzy recording so special is that Ford is playing only an acoustic guitar. The Ray Charles gem "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" (which you WON'T find elsewhere) is simply beautiful, and on Paul Butterfield's "Lovin' Cup," it's just Ford and his guitar. The brilliance of his playing and the reason behind why so many guitar players put him at the top of their list can be found in Ford's performance on this release, alternating between lead and rhythm. The Authorized Bootleg also has great (albeit laid-back) versions of "When I Leave Here" and "Tired of Talkin'." Highly, highly recommended.
Recorded live at the New Daisy Theater with Bland's regular working road band, this captures him in fine form, bringing together old favorites with some other numbers for a heady blend. When called for, the old Joe Scott heavy horn-laden arrangements are summoned up on tunes like "St. James Infirmary," "Farther on Up the Road," "That's the Way Love Is," "I Pity the Fool," and "I'll Take Care of You" with consummate ease. But even more telling is how effortlessly and seamlessly material like Buddy Ace's "Love of Mine," "Members Only," "Soon as the Weather Breaks," and Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Get Your Money Where You Spend Your Time" meshes with the old standbys. A lengthy slow blues medley brings guest appearances from Johnnie Taylor and Bobby Rush on "Stormy Monday," but the real star here is Bland himself. He's in good voice and good humor, and this makes a fine addition to his stack of latter-day recordings.
Bad Boys Blue is a multinational dance-pop group formed in Cologne, Germany, in 1984 and originally featuring British lead singer John McInerney, American Andrew Thomas, and Jamaican-born Trevor Taylor. After Taylor left the group in 1988, he was replaced by Trevor Travis; upon scoring a number 89 chart hit in 1993 with "Save Your Love," Travis exited as well, and Bad Boys Blue continued as a duo until adding Mo Russel in 1995. His 1999 departure made way for Jo Jo Max.
Blue Jeans a'Swinging is the first UK studio album by British Merseybeat band the Swinging Blue Jeans, released in November 1964 on HMV…
The fourth of the European Classics label's five CDs containing the complete output of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band captures the underrated orchestra at the peak of their powers. Formerly a no-name outfit, trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen, trombonist J.C. Higginbotham, clarinetist Buster Bailey, and tenor saxophonist Joe Garland were the group's star soloists by this time. In addition, by the last eight numbers on this highly recommended program, altoist Tab Smith was also part of the band. The CD starts off with three numbers on which singer Chuck Richards is backed by a sextet including Allen, Bailey, and trombonist Benny Morton. Otherwise the program features the full orchestra (directed by Lucky Millinder by this time)…
Third Album is the fourh album by Shocking Blue, released in 1971. Despite being titled Third Album, it is actually the fourth. This is most likely meaning the third album with Mariska Veres, the lead singer.