- 343Recommend It!
- 4,816views
CD/LP/Track Review
Lester Young/Roy Eldridge/Harry Edison: Laughin' to Keep from Cryin'
This 1958 all-star date documents Pres on his last legs, about a year away from death. His tone is faltering and his energy level is low — especially on the clarinet, which he plays on "Salute to Benny" and "They Can’t Take That Away From Me." But still, on "Gypsy In My Soul" and "Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone," his entrances are pure Lester Young. One note and you know it’s him.
Joining Lester are trumpet greats Roy Eldridge and Harry "Sweets" Edison, backed by the fabulous rhythm section of Hank Jones, Herb Ellis, George Duvivier, and Mickey Sheen. Two tracks are previously unreleased: a jam-session-style take of "Mean to Me" and a three-part ballad medley that features each horn player in turn. Eldridge renders "The Very Thought of You," Sweets plays "I Want a Little Girl," and Pres recalls the old Basie days with "Blue and Sentimental."
Critics and Lester Young fans have long debated the relative worth of this album. One thing’s for sure: It would be a poor introduction for those not familiar with Lester’s work.
Record Label: Verve Music Group
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
Shop for jazz:
Lester Young Related
CD/LP/Track Review
Artist Profiles
CD/LP/Track Review
Book Reviews
CD/LP/Track Review
- Andrea Jackson Andrew Norgan Anita Scott
-
Anthony Bibb
Bob Bastow
Bruce Weiner
-
Carl L. Hager
Carlo Keshishian
Chad McCullough
- Charles Waltmire Charvis Zackary Harrell Christopher Garten
- Christopher Johnston Harrity Claire Dave Folman
-
Dean Christesen
Dena Taylor
Dion
-
Duane Peirick
Eduardo Gregori
Elliot Phillips
-
Elliott Simon
Emilia Vancini
Etienne Stoufflet
-
Frank DuMez
Gail Simpson
Gaye D. Funk
-
Gene Riddell
George E. Morris
George Relf
-
Henry Colquitt
Henry Smith
Hrayr Attarian
- Ian Garrett Ian Turnbull Irma Van Dam
-
Jake Hanlon
James Tuerk
James Zawatski
-
Jay Norem
Jean-Marie JUIF
Jeff Rothal
- Jeffrey Ewert Jesus Ignacio Jim Eigo
- Jim Fliczuk Joe Germuska Joe Higham
-
John Evans Jonathan Russell
Justin Vargo
-
Kai Jensen
Kaisi Hu
KARL KLEBL
-
Keith Maples
Keith R Hunt
Kirk Robert Sellman
- Kyle Sandersen Lajos Dudas Luke
- Marc McDonald Mattias Geigant Melvin Cohen
-
Michael Anderson
Michael Lorenz
Michael Marcus
-
Michael Vatza
Michaela Rabitsch
Michal Tonhauser
- Morgan McLoughlin Nino bakh Oded Bratman
- Patrice Lockhart Patrick Breiner Peter Astwick
- Phelps Pond Philip Ellison Randolph Drechsel
- Ray Accardi Rick Shaw Robert Cryer
- Robert Knack Robie Craig Robin J-O
-
Roger Aldridge
Samuel Pace
Sandra L Gulliver
- Scott Seewald Sharon Davis Stephanie S Thomas
- STEVE KRAWITZ Steven B. Schonwetter Svein Ringstad
- Synergy Tara Moore Theodore Allchin
-
Tim Fearnside
Todd Ellington
Wayne Wolfson
- william blake William Cook William Verner
Nigel Mooney
Lucian Ban / Mat Maneri
David Arnay
Keith Jarrett / Gary Peacock...
Lisa Young Quartet
Larry Corban
Bobby McFerrin
Alexi Tuomarila Trio
Jonathan Kreisberg
Miguel Zenon & The Rhythm...
