Search - Clifford Brown, Brown Clifford :: Jazz Round Midnight

Among Clifford's Best Ballad Work...

Mike DiMartino | Rochester, NY | 06/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hmmm, it seems there's an "expert" among us who hears strings and immediately reacts, "Schmaltz!" Uh, Hefti's string arrangements were not "dated" in 1955. Sheesh, get with it. And listen. Listen and you'll hear how beautifully up-close Clifford was recorded during those EmArcy string sessions--just gorgeous.



And if "Ghost of a Chance" is NOT Brownie's crowning moment in balladry, what is, besides, maybe "Once in a While" (A NIGHT AT BIRDLAND on Blue Note)? There's nothing "questionable" (oh, the audacity of these "experts") about Clifford's rendition of "Time"--tunes as powerfully melancholy as "Time" often need only the melody expressed. The experts seem to think that a recording needs 90 choruses of improvising to be worthy of being called jazz. Nope..."Time" will forever belong to Clifford, just like "Body and Soul" is all Coleman Hawkins'--no musicians will ever top Clifford's expression on "Time."



"Experts" often automatically degrade vocalists--that makes the expert feel like a superior purist snob. Well, if you haven't heard Helen Merrill, her session here with Clifford is a great start point. She's a master at sublety, phrasing and vocal coloring. And Clifford's solos, while they may not be long enough for the experts, are gems of perfection, particularly on "What's New" and my favorite, "Born to be Blue."



You experts need to stop stereotyping and start really listening for the diamonds in the "rough" YOU call strings and vocals."

Not Brownie's best ballad work

L. Chin | 08/04/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Clifford Brown was one of the great ballad masters on his instrument. There is ample evidence of this across his recorded work. This collection is not a good sampling of it. Of the 14 tracks, five are from the "Clifford Brown With Strings" session that was marred with Neal Hefti's schmaltzy, dated arrangements and not much improvisation by Brownie. Another six are showcases for singers Helen Merrill, Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington. One, the wonderful minor blues "Lands End" is not a ballad. That leaves just two, "Ghost of a Chance" (nice) and "Time" (questionable). Unless you want the female vocals and Neal Hefti, this set is not for you."

Great Music

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 05/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Clifford Brown Has a Rich Quality Tone all the way through on this Very Essential Set.Very Relaxing Music&Great Arrangements."