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Hank Cries the Blues

mistersnappy | Tx | 09/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the ultimate compilation of Crawford's ballad style from the Atlantic years 1960-1967. Let me paint a mental picture for you if you have not heard this Crawford before. These sides were recorded using the same instrumentation (two trumpets, baritone, tenor, alto, bass, drums, guitar) and many of the same musicians as the Ray Charles Orchestra small group from 1958-1961. There were two basic types of tunes Crawford's band would specialize in-mid tempo swingers and incredibly slow, moaning, stripped-down ballads. This compilation focuses exclusively on the latter.

Crawford was known as "Mr. Blues" in those days because of his incredibly soulful, blues-drenched style. Sort of like a more down home, saltier version of Johnny Hodges.

The arrangements: I have never heard jazz arrangements/songs played THIS SLOWLY. They would drop the tempo down to a mere crawl and all the musicians could match each others vibratos-much like a gospel choir. That is the secret to old school horn sections, trying to imitate the tightness of a vocal group. By virtue of having been on the road together for so long playing one-nighters, they had the kind of tightness and rapport that would allow them to moan the way they do on these songs.

Check out the DVD in the Complete Atlantic Recordings of Ray Charles and see how this band sounded-yet even more distilled. And think of Hank singing where Ray would be."