Search - Andre Previn :: 4 to Go / Light Fantastic

Classy jazz

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 11/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"4 to Go was recorded in Hollywood on 18th December 1962 this is a sparkling session with Previn showing once again that he is a great Jazz pianist. With the backing of Shelly Mann on drums and Ray Brown on Bass and Herb Ellis on Guitar you really couldn't ask for a better quartet.



My favourite track is a marvellous version of Bye Bye Blackbird. After a lyrical introduction by Previn, Herb Ellis plays an inspired reading of the tune. Following a short Ray Brown bass solo, Previn finishes the piece with a solo Piano outro. Short beautiful and not a wasted note! However to pick one track is unfair as most of the tracks maintain a very high standard, as well swinging like all good Jazz should. Check out You're Impossible (track 5) as a good example.



The Light Fantastic was recorded a year later and is a tribute to Fred Astaire with Red Mitchell on Bass and Frank Capp on Drums. Perhaps not quite as good as "4 to Go" simply because the instrumental variety that Herb Ellis adds to that is missing. Nevertheless a fine album."