Herb Ellis And The All-Stars - The Midnight Roll (1962) CD Rip

08 Mar, 00:11
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Artist: Herb Ellis And The All-Stars
Title: The Midnight Roll
Year Of Release: 2013
Label: Essential Jazz Classics [EJC55603]
Genre: Jazz, Bop
Quality: FLAC (tracks + .cue,log,scans)
Total Time: 77:50
Total Size: 618 MB(+3%)
WebSite: Album Preview

Tracklist

01. Broadway (4:20)
02. Gravy Waltz (3:10)
03. Poor Darlin' Nellie (3:44)
04. Old Folks (3:36)
05. Roy Showed (4:48)
06. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (4:00)
07. Willow Weep For Me (3:57)
08. Symphony (3:24)
09. It Makes No Difference Now (4:02)
10. It Don't Mean A Thing (5:59)
11. Harper's Ferry (John Brown's Body) (5:09)
12. Herb's Here (4:58)
13. I Won't Love You (8:16)
14. You'd Better Know It (4:53)
15. Too Bad (3:45)
16. Alicia (4:41)
17. Gravy Waltz (1961 quartet version) (bonus track) (5:08)

Herb Ellis And The All-Stars - The Midnight Roll (1962) CD Rip

Herb Ellis is known primarily for playing with small ensembles, so this recording as part of an octet is a departure for the great guitarist. This "all-star" combo includes trumpeter Roy Eldridge in a sublimated role, while tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate is featured a bit more, and pianist Ray Bryant solidifies the nucleus of a very talented band of old pros and unsung heroes. Trumpeter Frank Assunto may not be a common garden-variety name to most, but he asserts himself quite well during this session. Twin bass underpinnings from Israel Crosby and Jimmy Rowser add heft to the rhythm section, while always reliable drummer Gus Johnson shows his mettle as a solidly swinging timekeeper. The fare is split between standards, originals, and favorites, including Duke Ellington's rousing "It Don't Mean a Thing" with the jamming Eldridge leading the charge, and "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" as everyone joins in and Assunto takes a fine, distinctive solo. The classic "Gravy Waltz" of Ray Brown is done here, as Bryant's deft chords with the sax and trumpets form a strolling, impenetrable front line -- one of the very best, fully formed and realized versions of this great song. Ellis contributed the folkish "Poor Darlin' Nellie," derived from the story of banished African-American slave Nellie Gray, a light rural swing with no horns save Assunto's muted trumpet solo. "Roy Showed" is a bouncy bop blues punctuated by Tate's tenor as Ellis further accents with sharp strumming chords. Everybody plays together in sweet agreement on "Broadway," a stock jam tune that shows the band has no issues with grandstanding, egos, or finding enough space to play. The band strips down to a trio on the pristine ballad "Willow Weep for Me" and Tate presents a spare, spacious melody line during "It Makes No Difference Now." The balance of this group should duly receive high marks (especially since it was a one-shot), Ellis sounds right at home with these fellow legends, and the obscure Assunto deserves individual stars on his own.~Michael G. Nastos

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