Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Kenny Burrell: 12-15-78

Kenny Burrell: 12-15-78

By Jim Santella
October 1, 1999
View read count

The Kenny Burrell Trio recorded Live At The Village Vanguard and Kenny Burrell In New York on December 15, 1978; hence, the title for this two-disc reissue. It doesn’t get much better for those who appreciate a guitar trio performing mainstream jazz. Burrell combines a great respect for the lyrical with harmonic chorded lines and a sweet tone in his work. It was in 1978 that the guitarist began teaching a course at UCLA on the life and music of Duke Ellington. Quite popular with students, the course still has a long waiting line for admission, after all these years. Burrell includes a few Ellington numbers on this program and works in a quote from "It Don’t Mean a Thing" on his upbeat arrangement of "Love, Your Magic Spell is Everywhere."

Bass and drums solo infrequently on this session. Drummer Sherman Ferguson takes a few extended solos and fours that express his penchant for space and a variety of textures. Ferguson’s drums are tuned loosely at different pitches; this, in support of a lyrical outing. Although he stays way in the background for most of the club date, Larry Gales’ big fat round tones jump out on "Makin’ Whoopee," as he has a lot to say and all of it tied to the melody. Ballads "Willow Weep for Me," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Don’t You Know I Care?" and "But Beautiful" drive home the message that Burrell’s unmistakable singing guitar style comes naturally and falls on ears that appreciate the reissue of this long out of print material.

Track Listingfor Live At The Village Vanguard : Second Balcony Jump; Willow Weep for Me; Work Song; Woody‘n You; In the Still of the Night; Medley: Don’t You Know I Care? / Love You Madly; It’s Getting Dark.

Track Listingfor Kenny Burrell In New York : Pent Up House; But Beautiful; Bags’ Groove; Makin’ Whoopee; Come Rain or Come Shine; Love, Your Magic Spell is Everywhere.

Personnelfor both sessions: Kenny Burrell- guitar; Larry Gales- acoustic bass; Sherman Ferguson- drums.

Personnel

Kenny Burrell

guitar, electric

Album information

Title: 12-15-78 | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Blue Note

About Kenny Burrell

PREVIOUS / NEXT

My Conversation with Gary Peacock
< Previous

Modern Memory
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.