Pres On Film; LA Stands in For Harlem
Former Archivist General of the Uni | Bridgewater, NJ | 10/18/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There's a movie of this session, mostly shot in close-ups and in silhouettes. Lester was at the peak of his powers. Too quirky to be on a band-stand for others anymore, he would pretty much lead his own groups from this time on. His playing exhibits the qualities that helped to expand already opening minds of younger guys like Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon and Stan Getz. However the main purpose of the session was to make a "cool" film-short, so the solos are short and some of what's captured here is less than inspired. I believe it was purporting to be a real Harlem jazz session but it was done in a film studio in LA. The band had a white guitarist, I'm pretty sure it was the great Barney Kessel, but his white hands ruined the mood so they put shoe polish on his skin for his close-ups. There is a singer on this album, Marie Bryant I think her name was, in the Billie Holiday mold. She'll melt you with her "Sunny Side of the Street". As it's written, it's happy piece of fluff but she burns that fluff slowly in a dirty ashtray with the lit end of her cigarette. Of course there's Lester. He gives Bryant the same inimitable treatment he gave Billie, but when it's just him and the boys, they swing hard. Though some of the tunes aren't memorable, the highlights make this a must-have if you love the music of this period, and Lester, like I do. Sweet Georgia Brown is indelible. Listen on it for the great Harry "Sweets" Edison's trumpet solo. Simplistic by today's standards, maybe, but hot, sweet and blusey. His restraint pays off. A fine gentleman and a top notch trumpet player."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1