Eddie Costa Memorial Concert

Tal Farlow – The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Sessions (2004) {7CD Box Set Mosaic MD7-224 rec 1951-1959}
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© 1951-59, 2004 Mosaic Records / Verve / Universal | MD7-224
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Guitar

Tal Farlow, was an innovative self-taught jazz guitarist who influenced generations of guitarists following in his footsteps. Although some of his peak years as a recording artist occurred during his association with Verve between 1954 and 1959, relatively few of the tracks were available for decades until the release of this comprehensive Mosaic box set. The music is consistently brilliant, as the leader's solos seem to evolve effortlessly, often finding fresh ground in the many standards and classic jazz compositions performed in this set. Aside from the three opening tracks from Farlow's days as a member of vibraphonist Red Norvo's trio, the guitarist is the leader.

Once in a while, an album comes along to take your breath away. That is certainly the case with this boxed set, which contains no fewer than 25 CDs tracing the history of jazz piano from early 1899 to the end of 1958. Several years ago, the same record company issued a set ten CDs covering some of the same ground, but this expanded version is even more amazing.

Frank Socolow - Sounds By Socolow (1956) {Bethlehem Japan TOCJ-62024 rel 1999}
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© 1956, 1999 Bethlehem / Toshiba-EMI | TOCJ-62024
Jazz / Bop / Saxophone

How much the arranger's art can embellish the music of even a group as small as that on this record emerges quite clearly during these performances. Taken on their own, none of these soloists — with the possible exception of Eddie Costa — would sound particularly remarkable. Heard within the context of the piquant, colourful settings devised by Manny Albam, Bill Holman and Sal Salvador, their work takes on more impact and significance. Thirty-three-year-old Frank Socolow has worked with many big bands during his career, a fact that has sometimes obscured his merits as a soloist.