The three latest releases from Avid Records mix vintage and tasty bop with pop vocals from Baby Boomer England
During his lifetime (1922-2017) guitarist Mundell Lowe was one of the most in-demand studio musicians in Los Angeles. His tasty tone and note selection was legendary, well exemplified on these five albums. The 1956 release with Trigger Alpert/b, Ed Shaughnessy, Al Klink-Phil Bodner/woodwinds is a rich chamber mooded affair, highlighted by a rich solo “Our Waltz” while dreamy moods are created on “ Ill Wind” and “It’s So Peaceful In The Country.” A 1959 collection of themes from TV shows like Perry Mason and Mike Hammer are given a kick by Lowe and Tony Scott/bs-cl, Donald Byrd/tp, Herbie Mann/fl and Jimmy Cleveland/tb. From the same year, Gershwin’s classic opera is impressively interpreted by Ben Webster/ts, Art Farmer/tp, Tony Scott/bs, George Duvivier/b and Osie Johnson-Ed Shaughnessy/dr for lyrical reads of “I Loves You Porgy” and “Bess, You Is My Woman Now.” A ’57 session with all stars Billy Taylor/p, Les Grinage/b, Ed Thigpen/dr and guest Gene Quill/as for some vintage swing, as on “Love Me Or Leave Me” and “Crazy Rhythm.” Fast forward to 1962 for a soundtrack to the kistschy film Satan in High Heels that includes Oliver Nelson, Al Cohn, Joe Newman, Clark Terry and Urbie Green for some surprisingly strong pieces like “Lake in the Woods” and “East Side Drive.” Forget theflick, and enjoy the sounds!
One of the hard bop giants of the West Coast jazz scene, tenor saxist is best known as being part of the famous Max Roach-Clifford Brown Quintet. Here, he branches out on his own, with his 1958 debut a highly impressive outing with Rolf Ericson/tp, Carl Perkins/p, Leroy Vinnegar/b and Frank Butler/dr on a sleek original “Grooveyard” and rich standards such as “Speak Low” and “You Don’t Know What Love Is.” Equally impressive was his 1959 followup with Dupree Bolton/tp, Elmo Hope/p, Herbie Lewis/b and Frank Butler/dr on vintage hard bop pieces like “One Down” and “Fox.” Two albums from 1960 have him in strong form. The first one from the East Coast is with Amos Trice/p, Clarence Jones and Joe Peters supporting the strong front line with trumpeter Kenny Dorham as they open up on “OK Blues” and “So In Love.” The other album is back in the West Coast with Wes Montgomery/g (!), Joe Gordon/tp, Barry Harris/p, Sam Jones/b and Louis Hayes/dr. The team swings like there’s no tomorrow on “West Coast Blues” and bebop with the best on “Kactoveedsedstene” while gorgeous on “Don’t Explain.” Brimming over with vintage sounds.
Not as well known on this side of The Pond as Cliff Richard, Mary Wilde was a mix between Elvis Presley and Eddie Cochranin the rockabilly vein of UK early pop and rock. This 2 disc set includes a UK and US version of his 1959 debut album, which are mostly covers of American early rock. He’s pretty impressive on “High School Confidential,” “Dream Lover” and “Blue Moon Over Kentucky” with a mix of boy next door and a dash of 50s menace. His 1960 followup includes a mega-hit “Bad Boy” which in retrospect sounds like a dark version of Gene Vincent, and the rest mostly featuring covers of pieces like “Sea Of Love” an d”Donna.” Tougher than Fabian and Bobby Vee, lighter than Dion.