Ballads in Blue

Wes Montgomery accomplished something few jazz artists could, as he used the disparate elements of the orchestral string ensemble and small organ combo within a similar balladic approach. While one could contend these concepts may not be as effective as a more conventional configuration, Montgomery made them work to a certain extent. What he could not do was infuse an energy that transcends the ballad approach, making this style of jazz priceless. There's a certain lugubrious restraint that permeates this single CD, originally a two-fer on vinyl, that showcases the guitarist's first recordings with strings, and selections plucked from his most ramped down organ combo featuring Melvin Rhyne. The 12 selections with a 12-piece string ensemble (conducted and arranged by Jimmy Jones) plus woodwinds and his rhythm section cover standards, a lone original, a Miles Davis and a Duke Ellington composition…

Arnett Cobb with The Red Garland Trio - Blue And Sentimental (1960) {Prestige PRCD-24122-2 rel 1993}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 420 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 170 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 35 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1960, 1993 Prestige / Fantasy | PRCD-24122-2
Jazz / Bop / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

The Cobb of Blue and Sentimental release combines two 1960 Prestige sessions, one of ballads and the other uptempo cookers. He meets up with pianist Red Garland’s group of JC Heard/dr and George Tucker-George Duvivier/b and hits the road running on “Sizzlin’” and a take of “Sweet Georgia Brown” that will get you on the basketball court in no time. Cobb was made for ballads, however, and he gives it all he’s got on the rarely performed Sinatra associated tunes “PS I Love You” and “Why Try To Change Me Now.” If I could play like this…..

Doug Raney was an American jazz guitarist. He was the son of Jimmy Raney. Raney began his career in his father's band, with Al Haig, at the age of 18. He later played in a duo with his father. He recorded as a leader for SteepleChase extensively in the 1970s and 1980s, and worked with Kenny Barron, Joey DeFrancesco, Billy Hart, Duke Jordan, Jesper Lundgaard, Horace Parlan, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Tomas Franck, Bernt Rosengren, and Chet Baker among others. Doug Raney moved to Denmark in 1977.

We at Posi-Tone greatly mourn the recent passing of Wayne Shorter and wish to offer our humble honors to his wonderful life and inspirational music. While this musical offering was originally scheduled to be a present for his 90th birthday later this year, we hope this helps listeners find comfort and joy in remembrance of this beautiful person. Accordingly, with this second installment of “Shorter Moments,” we would like to celebrate the sheer beauty and ineffable genius of Wayne's ballad compositions, lovingly performed over the recent years by a wide variety of artists from our talented roster.