Walkin' [Original Take] - Art Pepper, Carpenter, Richard
Walkin' [Alternate Take 1][*] - Art Pepper, Carpenter, Richard
Walkin' [Alternate Take 2][*] - Art Pepper, Carpenter, Richard
Donna Lee [Original Take] - Art Pepper, Parker, Charlie [Sa
Donna Lee [Alternate Take][*] - Art Pepper, Parker, Charlie [Sa
By most standards a "little" big-band album, this set carried the bebop canon, such as it was, into the realm of California cool jazz, using Art Pepper's chops on milky tenor and sharp alto saxophones alongside plush arran... more »gements from Marty Paich. There were key links on this session to the Miles Davis nonet's Birth of the Cool a decade earlier, which opened with the same Denzil Best tune. But Pepper offered himself up as a more acidic improviser, jagging solo structures despite the comparative clarity in his tone. Some of the most compelling moments come during Horace Silver's "Opus de Funk," which Pepper spins as an intricate, if not entirely funky, platform for full-band riffing and pinching alto contrasts with the trumpet-driven brass section. There is a continual bowling-over process here, with Pepper overwhelmed by the full colors surrounding him, and then the ensemble likewise startled by Pepper's tart intensity. --Andrew Bartlett« less
By most standards a "little" big-band album, this set carried the bebop canon, such as it was, into the realm of California cool jazz, using Art Pepper's chops on milky tenor and sharp alto saxophones alongside plush arrangements from Marty Paich. There were key links on this session to the Miles Davis nonet's Birth of the Cool a decade earlier, which opened with the same Denzil Best tune. But Pepper offered himself up as a more acidic improviser, jagging solo structures despite the comparative clarity in his tone. Some of the most compelling moments come during Horace Silver's "Opus de Funk," which Pepper spins as an intricate, if not entirely funky, platform for full-band riffing and pinching alto contrasts with the trumpet-driven brass section. There is a continual bowling-over process here, with Pepper overwhelmed by the full colors surrounding him, and then the ensemble likewise startled by Pepper's tart intensity. --Andrew Bartlett
Bruce Armstrong | Long Beach, CA United States | 08/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In my humble opinion,this recording along with "Meets The Rhythm Section" are Art's two greatest recordings, and confirm his legacy as one of the greatest improvisors in modern jazz history. The charts by the great Marty Paich are a perfect showcase for Art on alto, tenor AND clarinet-- (Dig his solo on "Anthropology.") Art's great lead alto is in evidence on "Grooving High" and "Airegin." "Round Midnight" stands as a perfect blend of arrangement and solo--my favorite cut on the CD. Needless to say, the playing by the ensemble is peerless, thanks to a lineup of West Coast all-stars. Jack Sheldon contributes some of his best recorded solos as Art's front-line partner. I've owned this as an LP since my high school days in the early 1960s and it remains one of my all-time favorites. I never tire of listening to it. A timeless classic.
"
Great Little Big Band
Thomas B. Kiernan | 03/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 1959 Los Angeles recording is a great example Marty Paich's incredible arrangement prowness, and Art Pepper's command of a small big band. The band takes on 12 standards from the likes of Gillespie, Parker, Monk, and Sonny Rollins, among others, and turns in highly innovative performances that never lose their focus. Art Pepper has several solos that really swing (Bird's "Donna Lee"). Great sounding recording as well. Highly recommended, especially if you want to bridge the gap between 40's Big Bands and Bop Combo's of the 50's."
Four and 1/2 stars.
fluffy, the human being. | forest lake, mn | 08/26/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"looking for some jazz that's busy and going places? something uptempo and fine? well, here you have it. this is an outstanding album of energetic jazz. with all the players involved here, and the pace that they go at it, it's amazing how precise everything comes out. each instrument, each note seems about as right as it should be. very very entertaining, indeed."
"A Customer" was right, 100% !!
Geoff Brandt | Quintana Island, Texas USA | 03/23/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nothing need be added. He nailed it. Certainly one of the very finest CDs ever, period."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
