Art Pepper - The Complete Surf Ride Plus (1952) [2002]

An expanded version of SV-115 Art Pepper - Surf Ride. The first date finds the alto saxophonist in fine form, leading a quartet consisting of pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Joe Mondragon, and drummer Larry Bunker. Pepper primarily sticks to originals, though he offers a warm rendition of the standard "These Foolish Things" as well. Pepper sounds a little more adventurous on the second date, accompanied by pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Bob Whitlock, and drummer Bobby White. Two takes of "Chili Pepper" (a Latin-flavored reworking of the venerable "Tea for Two"), two versions of the rapid-fire "Suzy the Poodle" (based upon "[Back Home Again In] Indiana"), a lush arrangement of the ballad "Everything Happens to Me," and a swinging performance of Lester Young's "Tickle Toe" (which incorporates cornetist Bix Beiderbecke's tag from the recording of Paul Whiteman's "When") make up this session.

Tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose obviously stimulates Pepper on the third date; the rhythm section is made up of pianist Claude Williamson, bassist Monty Budwig, and either Paul Ballerina or Larry Bunker on drums. The two versions of "Nutmeg" (yet another variation of "I Got Rhythm") find the two reedmen playing off one another with finesse, along with brief solos by Williamson and Budwig. The saxmen also shine in a somewhat brisk take of the standard "Deep Purple" and the two takes of Bob Haggart's lovely "What's New?" The title to the frenetic "Straight Life" is a bit ironic, given Pepper's battle with narcotics abuse, but it is one of the most provocative selections of this compilation. … the sound restoration on this Savoy reissue is head and shoulders above earlier editions of this valuable music.


Tracks:

CD 1:

1-1 Brown Gold 2:22
1-2 These Foolish Things 2:38
1-3 Surf Ride 3:08
1-4 Holiday Flight 2:50
1-5 Chili Pepper (Take 1) 2:48
1-6 Chili Pepper (Take 2) 3:04
1-7 Chili Pepper (Take 3) 2:55
1-8 Chili Pepper (Take 4) 2:57
1-9 Chili Pepper (Take 5) 2:53
1-10 Suzy The Poodle (Take 1) 3:11
1-11 Suzy The Poodle (Take 3) 3:06
1-12 Suzy The Poodle (Take 5) 3:29
1-13 Suzy The Poodle (Take 6) 3:16
1-14 Everything Happens To Me (Take 1) 3:27
1-15 Everything Happens To Me (Take 2) 2:58
1-16 Everything Happens To Me (Take 3) 3:12
1-17 Everything Happens To Me (Take 4) 3:06
1-18 Everything Happens To Me (Take 6) 3:05
1-19 Tickle Toe (Take 4) 2:51
1-20 Tickle Toe (Take 9) 2:51
1-21 Nutmeg (Take 3) 3:12
1-22 Nutmeg (Take 4) 3:18
1-23 Nutmeg (Take 6) 2:57
1-24 Nutmeg (Take 7) 2:59


CD 2:

2-1 Deep Purple 3:56
2-2 Cinnamon (Take 2) 3:14
2-3 Cinnamon (Take 3) 3:15
2-4 Cinnamon (Take 5) 3:07
2-5 What's New (Take 1) 3:28
2-6 What's New (Take 2) 3:28
2-7 What's New (Take 3) 3:26
2-8 Thyme Time (Take 1) 4:08
2-9 Thyme Time (Take 2) 3:23
2-10 Thyme Time (Take 3) 3:27
2-11 Straight Life (Take 1) 2:44
2-12 Straight Life (Take 2) 2:47
2-13 Straight Life (Take 3) 2:50
2-14 Art's Oregano (Take 1) 3:08
2-15 Art's Oregano (Take 2) 3:06
2-16 Art's Oregano (Take 5) 3:06
2-17 The Way You Look Tonight (Take 2) 5:24
2-18 The Way You Look Tonight (Take 5) 3:45
2-19 Pooch McGooch 2:40
2-20 All Of Me 2:26
2-21 Back In Your Own Backyard 2:26
2-22 The Count On Rush Street 3:08

Personnel:

CD 1:
1-4
Art Pepper (alto sax)
Hampton Hawes (piano)
Joe Mondragon (bass)
Larry Bunker (drums)
Los Angeles, March 4, 1952

5-20
Art Pepper (alto sax)
Russ Freeman (piano)
Bob Whitlock (bass)
Bobby White (drums)
Los Angeles, October 8, 1952 (Jazzdisco has March 29, 1953)

21-24
Art Pepper (alto sax)
Jack Montrose (tenor sax)
Claude Williamson (piano)
Monte Budwig (bass)
Paul Ballerina (drums)
Larry Bunker (drums)
Los Angeles, August 25, 1954


CD 2:
1-7
Art Pepper (alto sax)
Jack Montrose (tenor sax)
Claude Williamson (piano)
Monte Budwig (bass)
Paul Ballerina (drums)
Los Angeles, August 25, 1954

8-18
Art Pepper (alto sax)
Jack Montrose (tenor sax)
Claude Williamson (piano)
Monte Budwig (bass)
Larry Bunker (drums)
Los Angeles, August 25, 1954

19-22
Art Pepper (alto sax)
Conte Condoli (trumpet)
Bill Russo (trombone)
Bob Cooper (tenor sax)
Gene Esposito (piano)
Don Bagley (bass)
Shelly Manne (drums, vocal on 20)
Shelby Davis (vocal on 21)
Chicago, November 12, 1951