Gershwin Blue

A personal selection of piano pieces by George Gershwin and Claude Debussy, played by the young virtuoso Andrejs Osokins.

Michael Tilson Thomas's Gershwin credentials are second to none, and include several recording premieres, most notably the first modern version of the original jazz band orchestration of Rhapsody in Blue (for Sony/Columbia). This new double-CD set offers an impressive selection of Gershwin favorites and rarities: the Second Rhapsody, with Tilson Thomas himself at the piano; An American in Paris; the Concerto in F, this time with Garrick Ohlssohn as soloist; and finally, Gershwin's own Catfish Row suite from Porgy and Bess, here fleshed out with the best and most popular songs from the opera, ably sung by Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Al Caiola And Friends - Deep In A Dream & Serenade In Blue (2016) {Fresh Sound Records FSR-CD 892 rec 1955}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 296 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 168 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 111 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1955, 2016 Savoy / Fresh Sound Records | FSR-CD 892
Jazz / Cool / Guitar

When guitarist Al Caiola (1920) moved to New York after graduating he was quickly hired as a staff musician by CBS, where his skill and adaptability guaranteed him a heavy radio and TV schedule until he left in 1956; he was, in fact, one of the busiest, most successful and respected session men in New York City throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In 1955, at the peak of his success, he recorded “Deep in a Dream” and “Serenade in Blue” for Savoy Records, two albums which focused on a meticulous and reverent treatment of a collection of well-known standards and of his own originals. Technically impeccable, on these Caiola is backed by an excellent rhythm section, with pianist Hank Jones demonstrating his usual warmth and skill, aided by drummer Kenny Clarke and bassist Clyde Lombardi.

Frank Foster & George Wallington - Here Comes Frank Foster & Showcase (1954) {Blue Note 95750 rel 1998}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 426 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 161 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 33 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1954, 1998 Blue Note / Capitol | 7243 4 95750 2 8
Jazz / Bebop / Hard Bop / Piano / Saxophone

This double reissue combines saxophonist Frank Foster's first U.S. recording and a session led by pianist George Wallington that took place one week later with Foster sitting in. Recorded for Blue Note in Hackensack, NJ, on May 5, 1954, Here Comes Frank Foster (also issued as New Faces, New Sounds) was only Foster's second album as a leader. His debut album was recorded one month earlier for the Vogue label in Paris, France. Here Comes Frank Foster fits neatly with other albums from the mid-'50s Blue Note catalog.