Search - Zoot Sims :: In Paris

Zoot in Vogue

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 12/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
This disc brings together two sessions Zoot made in Paris for the Vogue label, one in 1950 and the other in 1953. Zoot was in Paris in 1950 touring with a Benny Goodman small group that included Roy Eldridge and Dick Hyman when he was asked by Vogue to make some sides. Seven sides were recorded with many alternate takes, all of them included here. NIGHT AND DAY is offered up in three takes, all pretty much the same, though Zoot is particularly inventive on the first take. SLINGIN' HASH is a blues in two very distinct takes; the second is a bit slower, though both are excellent. TENORLY, another blues, is also in three takes, with the third the winner for me. All of these have been up-tempo rompers; on I UNDERSTAND he slows things down, and both takes are beautiful. CRYSTAL, a Zoot original, is another up-tempo swinger. The rhythm section (Gerald Wiggins (p) Piere Michelot (b) and Kenny Clarke (d) is solid throughout.



Back in Paris in '53 with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Zoot went back into the Vogue studios for another session, this time joined by fellow Kentonian Frank Rosolino (tb) in the front line. TOOT'S SUITE and ZOOT'S SUITE, both Bill Holman compositions, build around attractive themes, while CALL IT ANYTHING is a straight-ahead blues penned by Zoot. There's a very relaxed feel about this session with all the tunes played at medium-tempo and the emphasis on creativity and not pyrotechnics. Both session are excellent, however, in their own ways. Zoot is wonderful, as usual. Definitely worth latching on to, especially at these low prices."

Early 1950's Zoot

Donnie The B | USA | 02/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I guess the Vogue studios had some problems. Like not enough mikes and no real producers. It's not like this was the 1930's! Thankfully, Zoot always had a good mike on him - and this is why we're here, huh? To me the 1953 cuts with the addition of guitar and trombone are more interesting - and certainly show more rehearsal and maybe even arrangements. Look - Zoot is always great, a real swinger, impeccable rhythm, inventive improvisations. But this one (while quite satisfying) is mainly for hard core Zoot junkies like me really. There are better small group Zoot Sims albums available for the casual listener."