Search - Lester Young :: Blue Lester

Great Pres, great price.

jazzfanmn | St Cloud, MN United States | 11/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The music on this Savoy release has Lester "Pres" (or President of the saxophone) playing in three seperate groups from three different dates. Among the personnel is Count Basie on Piano, Freddie Green on guitar, and a young Roy Haynes on drums. This is straight ahead jazz from the late 40's. There are plenty of great tracks from a tender take on These Foolish Things, to a swinging big band number on "Circus in Rhythm". Pres' ethereal, at times playful tone is on full display. All of these short, none over 3 minutes, tracks feature Young in prime form. While the performances are very enjoyable, the packaging is not very informative and doesn't even list the personnel for the last three tracks. The sound qualtity is passable, there is a hiss and some analog pop, but nothing distracting, nothing worse than what is common to almost all recordings from this era. This cd will appeal to all of Young's fans, and is a good introduction for the uninititated. The changes in material from laidback small group ballads to the high energy big band swing, as well as the short track times keep the music moving and it seems the cd is over before you know it. Definately worth a listen, especially at the great price."