Dizzy Gillespie - The Cool World / Dizzy Goes Hollywood (1996)

This single CD reissues all of the music from two rare Dizzy Gillespie LPs. Dating from 1963-64, the set features the trumpeter's interpretation of the score of the obscure film The Cool World (although these are not the actual performances heard in the movie) plus 11 themes from other films. Gillespie, who is joined by James Moody (on tenor, alto and flute), pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Chris White and drummer Rudy Collins, was in peak form during that era. Although the liner notes deal only with The Cool World, the other set is actually of greater interest. Gillespie uplifts such tunes as the "Theme from Exodus," "Moon River," "Days of Wine and Roses," "Never on Sunday" and "Walk on the Wild Side," turning them into swinging jazz. The Cool World pieces (all composed by Mal Waldron) are also worth hearing although they are not as memorable overall. This set is a real historical curiosity and, although not essential, it is a release that should please Dizzy Gillespie fans while reminding others of how great a trumpeter he was before his long decline. (AMG)


Tracks:

The Cool World (Original Soundtrack) (1964)

01. Theme From The Cool World [5:17]
02. The Pushers [2:34]
03. Enter, Priest [4:10]
04. Duke's Awakening [2:42]
05. Duke On The Run [5:15]
06. Street Music [2:35]
07. Bonnie's Blues [4:00]
08. Coney Island [3:44]
09. Duke's Fantasy [2:16]
10. Coolie [3:39]
11. Duke's Last Soliloquy [3:07]


Dizzy Goes Hollywood (1963)

12. Theme From Exodus [2:44]
13. Moon River [2:52]
14. Caesar And Cleopatra Theme [3:10]
15. Days Of Wine And Roses [2:19]
16. Walk On The Wild Side [7:12]
17. More [2:47]
18. Love Theme From Lolita [2:49]
19. Theme From Picnic [2:27]
20. Never On Sunday [3:06]
21. Theme From Lawrence Of Arabia [3:10]
22. Carioca [3:00]



Double Reissue. "The Cool World" (tracks 1 to 11) is the original score of the same-named movie, an avant-garde Sixties film of Harlem life.
"Dizzy Goes Hollywood" (tracks 12 to 22) consists of Gillespie treatments of Hollywod film themes.
"Dizzy Goes Hollywood" (PHS-600-123) was recorded 1963 in Chicago, "The Cool World" (PHS-600-138) 1964 in New York City.

Saxophone [Alto, Tenor], Flute - James Moody
Trumpet - Dizzy Gillespie