Search - Leroy Vinnegar :: Leroy Walks

Run, Don't Walk To Get "Leroy Walks"

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a find this CD was! All those people who think that West Coast Jazz is syrupy-smooth should give a listen to "Leroy Walks!" This disc is a classic hard bop session from veteran bassist Leroy Vinnegar, who ably backed bigger names like Shelly Manne, Art Tatum and Barney Kessel throughout the 50s and 60s. This album, recorded over three sessions in 1957 for Contemporary, features Teddy Edwards on tenor sax, Gerald Wilson on trumpet, Victor Feldman on vibes, Carl Perkins on piano, and Tony Bazley on drums. The album has a clever theme -- all the songs are about "walking" -- but it's no gimmick as the performances are wonderful. My suggestion is don't walk, but run to buy "Leroy Walks!""

"The Mighty Walker"

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 04/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
A mainstay on the West Coast scene since the early 1950s, this was Leroy Vinnegar's first album under his own leadership, cut in 1957. Joining Leroy is a fine group of west coasters, including Teddy Edwards (ts), Gerald Wilson (tpt), and Victor Feldman (vbs), just then making the US scene. Although Vinnegar's presence is made obvious on all tracks, befitting a leader's role, he doesn't dominate: everyone gets his fair share of the solo spotlight. Wilson stays muted throughout the date and is especially good on WALK ON (a Vinnegar tune) and WALKIN' MY BABY BACK HOME. Most of the tunes are done medium to medium-slow; WALKIN' BY THE RIVER is taken at a brighter pace and features some excellent Teddy Edwards. The well-known Richard Carpenter song, WALKIN' (Miles Davis made a good recording of this tune in 1954), gets a good rendition here. Carl Perkins (p)and Tony Blazely (d) are the remaining two members of the sextet. This is a solid mainstream West Coast date, and along with this CD you should also check out the follow-up album, LEROY WALKS AGAIN. Both are excellent."

Take a Stroll With Soul

Jack Baker | LeRoy,IL | 03/03/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leroy Walks! is a stellar West Coast jazz session led by bassist Leroy Vinnegar. Making up the rest of the sextet are Gerald Wilson-trumpet, Teddy Edwards-tenor saxophone, Carl Perkins-piano, Tony Bazely-drums, and British import Victor Feldman on vibes (Feldman also arranged 3 of the 7 songs). The album was produced by Lester Koenig and recorded in three 1957 sessions in Los Angeles.



Leroy Vinnegar's big bottom end anchors this sweet swinging set of seven songs, all thematically tied to walking. The sextet is tight and the material laid back and groovy. I really dig groups that play well together and the Leroy Vinnegar Sextet has that almost telepathic connection going on with one another on this release. Prior to listening to this recording, I wasn't familiar with any of these performers, but I won't hesitate to seek out other recordings by them, in particular the leader and the pianist, Carl Perkins. I especially enjoyed the Vinnegar original "Walk On" and their smooth version of the classic "Walkin'".



Don't hesitate to take a walk with Leroy on this sweet and soulful release. You're in for a real treat.



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