Gary Burton - Conception (2014)

Gary Burton, the astonishing virtuoso of the vibraphone. A child prodigy who achieved renown among musicians who marveled at his dazzling technique and originality of conception. Throughout a long career that traversed Nashville, George Shearing, Stan Getz, psychedelia, improvisation, free jazz, jazz rock and fusion, he retained a creative disposition; looking always to broaden his musical horizon and to push the boundaries of musical convention. Burton's innovations include the revival and adaptation of the use of a four mallet technique which enabled him to significantly increase the scope of his sound.

This two cd set, comprises, Gary's 1961 debut LP as leader, New Vibe Man In Town (with Gene Cherico and Dave Brubeck's drummer Joe Morello), the second album, Who is Gary Burton? (with Chris Swansen, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, Clark Terry., Morello, John Neves and Tommy Flanagan) that followed a year later, and historic sessions of the same era in which the vibist participated: The Nashville All-Stars' After The Riot at Newport, the impromptu live date recorded on the back porch of a rented mansion after the group of eight Nashville musicians, including the guitarists Chet Atkins and Hank Garland, the pianist Floyd Cramer and the 17 year-old Burton, had arrived at the Rhode Island festival at which they were due to appear to find the event in disarray because of an unruly crowd. Another auspicious occasion, and the fourth album of this edition, is Hank Garland's superlative Jazz Winds From A New Direction, the jazz debut of this most predominant of all Nashville session guitarists. Garland's group consists of Burton, bassist Joe Benjamin and Joe Morello. Burton and Garland are in perfect, at times, awe-inspiring synchronicity on what has come to be regarded as one of the definitive jazz guitar statements.

Completing the package is Floyd Cramer's million-selling single, Last Date, on which Gary provides a simple accompaniment. The record reached number two on the Billboard chart. The single that kept it from the top spot was Elvis Presley's Are You Lonesome Tonight.


Tracks:

CD1
GARY BURTON: WHO IS GARY BURTON?
01. Storm
02. I’ve Just Seen Her
03. Fly Time Fly (Sigh)
04. Conception
05. Get Away Blues
06. My Funny Valentine
07. One Note

Gary Burton – Vibes
Clark Terry – Trumpet
Bob Brookmeyer – Valve trombone
Phil Woods - Alto sax
Tommy Flanagan – Piano
John Neves – String bass
Joe Morello, Chris Swansen - Drums

HANK GARLAND WITH THE ALL-STARS: JAZZ WINDS FROM A NEW DIRECTION
08. All the Things You Are
09. Three-Four, The Blues
10. Move
11. Always
12. Riot-Chous
13. Relaxin’

Hank Garland – Guitar
Gary Burton – Vibes
Joe Benjamin – Bass
Joe Morello - Drums

HANK GARLAND'S QUINTET: SELECTIONS FROM SUBTLE SWING
14. It’s Love, Of Course
15. Not for Me
16. Pop Goes the Weasel
17. Unless You’re in Love
18. Rainy Afternoon

Hank Garland - Guitar
Gary Burton – Vibes
Bob Moore – Bass
Bill Pursell – Piano
Doug Kirkham - Drums


CD2
GARY BURTON: NEW VIBE MAN IN TOWN
01. Joy Spring
02. Over the Rainbow
03. Like Someone in Love
04. Minor Blues
05. Our Waltz
06. So Many Things
07. Sir John
08. You Stepped out of a Dream

Gary Burton - Vibes
Gene Cherico - Bass
Joe Morello - Drums

THE NASHVILLE ALL-STARS: AFTER THE RIOT AT NEWPORT
09. Relaxin’
10. Nashville to Newport
11. Opus de Funk
12. ‘S Wonderful
13. Round Midnight
14. Frankie and Johnny
15. Riot-Chous

FLOYD CRAMER
16. Last Date

Buddy Harman - Drums
Chet Atkins – Guitar (tracks 10, 14)
Boots Randolph – Alto sax, tenor sax (tracks 9-11, 15)
Gary Burton – Vibes (tracks 9-12, 15, 16)
Hank Garland – Guitar (tracks 9-12, 15)
Brenton Banks – Piano, violin (tracks 9, 11, 12, 13, 15)
Floyd Cramer – Piano (tracks 10, 11, 14, 16)
Bob Moore – Bass (tracks 9, 11-16)
Anita Kerr Singers – Vocal chorus (track 16)