Search - Bud Shank, Lou Levy :: Jazz in Hollywood

Not the Best of the West

William Faust | Columbus, Ohio | 09/05/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this disc because of the personnel - Shank, Shorty Rogers, Jimmy Rowles, Levy and Larry Bunker. All of whom I have enjoyed immensely on other West Coast jazz sessions. But this recording - essentially two LPs, one by Shank with Rogers in tow and one by Levy's trio - is what I would call a lesser session. It lacks any kind of cohesion on either date. I expected those tight swinging clever charts with cool harmonies and a hint of Basie that these guys were so famous for. But not on this one. These are some recordings seeking an identity, seeking an audience and most of all, they don't swing. Pass on this one unless you're trying to complete your West Coast collection."

Two stars? Certainly not for Shank & Levy!

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 09/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I saw two stars for this record (which would be one star for each of the two sessions comprehended) I thought I had to say something more respectful of the value of this recording. Two stars are surely not enough even if this one might be considered a lesser session (lesser than what? and in which sense?). I personaly find this one very good. The Bud Shank part of the cd is a very very good session. He plays as a very competente west coast player. His solos are very intense and the program lovely. I don't know how can we give this session two stars. A single star mean the minimum, something near trash. Two stars is a little, little step up in my opinion. And this album deserve a lot more consideration. Four stars to say the least. And I'll give five to elevate the general rating. But even if it's not an essential record (which by the way it is always a personal opinion), I express my rating giving this record five stars anyway, because the guys here played really a very consistent west coast jazz. In the Bud Shank session there are tunes really great as the opener, the minor Left Bank or Shank's Pranks for example. They're great tunes, great energy, absolutly beautiful solos. 100% west coast delight. Talking about Lou Levy's session it's another very good one. Obviously there's not coherence in this disc, one is a quintet session the other one is a trio! C'mon! But apart from this which is not a complaint, it's like having two records on on single disc just for commodity, the Levy's playing is delicious. Some nice standards and original in trio format. Played very very well believe me. It is not an easy record to find (in the material world .. here on Amzon is available). But if you find it your west coast collection will be glad to open its doors for this one. Buy with confidence. No problems here. 100% west coast delight!"