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#1 2022-03-11 15:26:56
- AlveySinger
- Member
- Posts: 900
COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
For your listening pleasure.
I appreciate Jazz is only one of many interests on here but I wanted to recommend a superb but overlooked compilation of West Coast Sounds.
It was issued in the late nineties on Music Club records who I think specialised in budget compilations. So expect to pay very little for it.
The artists included are all the usual suspects but what stands out is the track selection and subsequent running order. It's all vey accessible.
CSFAWN one of those wonderful albums that you can either listen intently to or have as a pleasing backdrop to your evening activities.
It also serves as a good introduction to West Coast Jazz.
#2 2022-03-12 01:16:44
- Staxfan
- Member
- Posts: 779
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Thanks for the ‘heads up’ Alvey, could be a jazz album I can get away with playing at home without some negative comment from the Wife,
#3 2022-03-12 02:03:05
- woofboxer
- Devil's Ivy Advocate
- From: The Lost County of Middlesex
- Posts: 7959
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Thanks Alvey. I normally steer clear of compilations as often there two or three good tracks and the rest are ‘fillers’. But I’m confident in your recommendation and, as you said, there are loads on ebay going very cheap. I’ve only come to appreciate jazz in the last few years, you can either deliberately sit and listen to it or it makes for nice background. It makes a great ambience in the house that visitors enjoy, it kind of seeps into you.
'I'm not that keen on the Average Look .......ever'.
John Simons
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#4 2022-03-12 07:39:02
- Spendthrift
- Member
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Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Just had a look at this over on Amazon.
Looks just the thing for me. Thanks Alvey
#5 2022-03-16 05:52:48
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Try 'California Boppers', a 24-track CD featuring Diz, Lionel Hampton, Benny Carter and a ton of others. I might be mistaken but it comes across as swing/big band/bebop crossover - and very pleasing with it.
#6 2022-03-23 08:41:03
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
'The Sweetheart Of Sigmund Freud' (no kidding). Shorty Rogers, Woody Herman, Red Norvo, Maynard Ferguson - and much, much more.
Blazing.
#7 2022-03-24 01:53:34
- AlveySinger
- Member
- Posts: 900
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Anyone looking for a bargain needs to get this 10 cd box set of twenty classic West Coast albums. Simply entitled West Cast Jazz. It typically sells of a tenner.
Loads of superb music on here. The Harold Land. Lighthouse all Stars and Chet albums are personal favs.
The albums included are:
Chet Baker and His Crew
Stan Getz - West Coast Jazz
Gerry Mulligan - California Concerts
The Bill Perkins Octet - On Stage
Harold Land - West Coast Blues
The Curtis Counce Group - Carl's Blues
Shorty Rogers & André Previn - Collaboration
Marty Paich - I Get A Boot Out Of You
Carl Perkins - Introducing...
The Chico Hamilton Quintet - With Strings Attached
Art Pepper - Surf Ride
The Brothers Candoli: Sextet - 2 for the Money
The Jimmy Giuffre 3
Bob Brookmeyer - The Modernity of Bob Brookmeyer
Red Callender - Swingin' Suite
The Gerald Wiggins Trio - Wiggin with Wig
Stu Williamson - Stu Williamson Plays
Dave Pell Octet - Love Story
Teddy Edwards - Sunset Eyes
Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars, Barney Kessel & Hampton Hawes' Trio with Shelly Manne - Lighthouse at Laguna
#8 2022-03-24 03:12:56
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
^ That would keep me going for days and nights on end.
I love the name Gerald Wiggins - though not as much as Leroy Vinnegar or Dodo Marmarosa. He sounds more like a geography teacher than a West Coaster. And perhaps he was, in another life.
About a tenner? Excellent tip, Alvey.
#9 2022-03-24 03:34:22
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Just bagged that on Amazon. Thanks, Alvey. Top man.
#10 2022-03-25 04:55:00
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
My thoughts are turning - very much - toward The Lighthouse... Away from NYC and the East Coast... away from Minton's...
Just finished listening to Mr. Chet and Gerry Mulligan - next up, Anita with Gene Krupa...
The sun continues to shine...
#11 2022-04-27 04:23:37
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Now: Blossom Dearie Sings Rootin' Songs.
Perfection.
#12 2022-04-27 09:49:01
- AlveySinger
- Member
- Posts: 900
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Another worthy recommendation is the Chet Baker Milestones of a Legend box set. It covers 17 albums on 10 cd's. At under £13 it's superb value.
I find that as he recorded so extensively you have to be wary what you're buying as the quality can be variable - both in terms of the sound quality and his technique on the day.
#13 2022-04-27 10:44:04
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
^ Yes. Chet is sometimes dealt with rather harshly by some writers and critics. His singing is perhaps a touch overrated.
#15 2022-04-30 04:53:13
- AlveySinger
- Member
- Posts: 900
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
I struggle with Mabel Mercer. Diction perfect but lacks soul.
On Youtube theres a show she did with Bobby Short that was designed to look like someones dinner party. Worth a watch.
Short was an underrated talent.
#16 2022-05-01 10:04:58
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Agreed about Bobby Short, but I'm not really looking for 'soul' nowadays, having moved away somewhat from black music (certainly the traditional blues I'd begun listening to in my mid-twenties). I still enjoy the likes of Jackie Wilson and Al Green if you want to talk about soul as a genre, but long since grew bored with much of Motown, Atlantic etc. So I enjoy Mabel Mercer (born in Burton-On-Trent, just down the road, eh, Alvey?) for her perfect diction.
#17 2022-05-11 09:29:20
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Billy Eckstine singing 'Satin Doll'. Beautiful and brings a smile to your face.
#18 2022-05-27 08:22:44
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Chet Baker - 'My Funny Valentine' - on Pacific. A timely reminder of just how much I enjoy his playing and singing. His voice has been mocked. I like it. Alluring understatement.
#19 2022-05-27 21:50:25
- AlveySinger
- Member
- Posts: 900
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
AFS,
First time I heard Chet sing I thought it was a joke. I couldn't believe how inconsistent his voice was. It took quite a few years to really appreciate how interesting it is.
I am now a complete fan of his early singing voice. There's an innocence to it that belies the fact he was a junckie.
#20 2022-05-28 01:01:32
- AFS
- Member
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Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
Another singer I'm enjoying at the moment is Nat King Cole.
I listened to two versions of 'Someone To Watch Over Me' yesterday afternoon, the first by Mr. Chet, the second by Blossom Dearie. The lady clearly had the edge.
#21 2022-05-28 06:14:00
- AlveySinger
- Member
- Posts: 900
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
AFS,
I have a NKC album where he sings Latin American tunes. Really interesting.
The complete after midnight sessions are also good.
I'm not a fan though as his voice is just too smooth
#22 2022-05-28 09:55:57
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
A smooth voice I like - unlike my old man who went in for Shouters like Joe Turner.
My tastes in jazz continue to twist and turn, having moved away from Mingus, Horace Silver, Tina Brooks et al.
I clocked a Sonny Rollins CD earlier but thought I espied my father's shade and heard it muttering, 'No, son, no'.
#23 2022-07-13 03:27:33
- AFS
- Member
- Posts: 2740
Re: COOL SOUNDS FOR A WARM NIGHT
You could do a whole lot worse than Tony Scott with Bill Evans.