Toe tapping in two different varieties delivered by Avid Records…
Tenor saxist John Coltrane, along with pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and either drummer Art Taylor or Philly Joe Jones made up Miles Davis’ first “classic” quintet in the mid fifties. They did some ventures without their leader for the Prestige label. August 23, 1957 has the team with ‘Trane as the titular head with Taylor on drums for a stretched out “Traneing In” , with Chambers out in front on “Bass Blues” while Garland is glassy on “Soft Lights and Sweet Music.”. On Nov 15, Garland is the leader and the relaxed session is titled after the relaxed 15 minute “Soul Junction” while guest trumpeter Donald Byrd sparkles on “Woody’n You” and the snappy “Birk’s Works”, with bassist George Joyner replacing Chambers. On the same date and Dec 13, Garland kept the same team for a smooth “Soft Winds” and kinetic “Two Bass Hit” featuring Joyner” and lovely “Solitude” with the leader in a glassy mood. A pair of sessions form March 22, 1957 and February 7 of ’58 are only have the two bassists taking turns, with Coltrane digging into the hard boppers “CTA” and “Billie’s Bounce” and Garland showing what he can do in a trio format with a classy take of “Crazy Rhythm”. Timeless tunes.
Along with Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams, the Nudie-suited Webb Pierce was one of the most popular honky tonkers around. His 1955 debut album mixes his own tunes such as “I Don’t Care” and “Your Good For Nothing Heart” with covers of Jimmie Rodgers’ “In The Jailhouse Now” and Marty Robbins’ “I’ll Go On Alone”. His followup the next year includes classics like “Slowly”, “Back Street Affair” and “There Stands The Glass” with his next album on Decca features his tear in beer specials “I’m Only Wishin’” and “Too Late To Worry Now”, with all of these sessions including support by the top tier musicians like Floyd Cramer/p, Chet Atkins/g, Hank Garland/g, Own Bradley/p. There are also some nice extra “bonus” tracks with Webb dueting with Kitty Wells, Mel Tillis and Red Sovine” “One Week Later”, How Come Your Dog Don’t Bite Nobody But Me” and “Why Baby Why”. A real hoot, nanny.