Search - Barney Kessel :: To Swing Or Not to Swing

Barney and Friends

William Faust | Columbus, Ohio | 08/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had to look twice to make sure that this wasn't a Norman Granz-produced JATP concert or Verve recording session because it sure swings like one and features many of the "usual suspects". Recorded in 1955, this red hot session features one of the era's best swing guitars (in the tradition of Herb Ellis, Tal farlow or Jimmy Raney) backed by a group of mostly west coast studio jocks and big band alumni. Edison is superb as always, Auld and Bill Perkins do a nice job on tenor respectively, Jimmy Rowles does his best Count Basie imitation (and a good one it is) with Red Mitchell and Shelly Manne down in the engine room. 11 charts in all, mostly up-tempo blues, swing standards and a ballad or two for Kessel to shine. There's a particularly tight version of Moten Swing that allows everyone lots of room to cut loose and a lovely duet between Kessel and Rowles on Midnight Sun. Highly recommended."

To Swing, indeed!

M. Kubik | Seattle, WA USA | 05/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The playing here is bright and upbeat if a little muted by the production. Kessel's work is impeccable on both the ballads and uptempo numbers displaying all aspects of his inimitable sound. The economy of the arrangements here are emphasized by the production as the horn section take a back seat and Barney is front and center. If you enjoy that cool west coast style of the 50's this one's for you."