Don Byas - The Chronological Classics- 1952 (2004)

Tracklist

01. Somebody Loves Me (2:52)
02. I Cover the Waterfront (4:05)
03. Don't Blame Me (3:41)
04. Old Folks at Home (3:18)
05. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (2:56)
06. Riviera Blues (Blues a la Don) (3:03)
07. You Can Depend on Me (2:28)
08. That Old Feeling (2:27)
09. Laura (4:16)
10. Wheel of Fortune (2:54)
11. Please, Mister Sun (3:26)
12. Rose de Picardie (2:58)
13. L'enfant et la rose (2:42)
14. I Hear a Rhapsody (3:49)
15. Pleurs (3:04)
16. Just a Gigolo (3:05)
17. Can't Help Lovin' That Man (3:22)
18. Nice Work If You Can Get It (3:02)
19. I'm in the Mood for Love (3:12)
20. Lover (3:13)
21. Lazy River (3:26)
22. On the Sunny Side of the Street (3:10)
23. My Blue Heaven (3:15)

The eighth volume in the complete recordings of Oklahoma native Carlos Wesley "Don" Byas consists of 23 recordings he made in Paris during the spring and summer of 1952. Nine wonderful sides recorded for the Blue Star label on April 10th of that year are classic Byas -- lots of lush ballads and an occasional kicker -- with excellent rhythm support by pianist Art Simmons, bassist Joe Benjamin, and drummer Bill Clark. The remaining tracks presented here were originally issued on the Vogue label. Six lovely melodies recorded on May 21st feature guitarist Marcel Bianchi and bassist Pierre Michelot, while eight tunes rendered on July 18th are enhanced by the addition of a vibraphone. Byas was both a master of romantic exposition and a formidable improviser at brisk tempos, comparable to Coleman Hawkins yet possessed of a spirit entirely his own. This material will be new to some of those who live outside of Europe, and for this reason the producers of the Classics Chronological Series are to be warmly commended for having brought out another excellent volume of vintage jazz music for all to hear.