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Oscar Peterson/Ray Brown/Ed Thigpen The Final Concerts Limelight/Moon-Gambit 2006 | Joe Sample/Ray Brown/Shelly Manne The Three East Wind-Test Of Time 2006 |
To even merely mention all of Ray Brown's accomplishments in the music world would take several pages. It would have to begin with him being influenced by Duke Ellington's amazing bassist Jimmy Blanton, through the bebop years, all the groups he led and coled on the West Coast to his work helping talented musicians be heard (singer Ernestine Anderson quickly comes to mind). He had amazing technique, great intonation and a beautiful sound. His sense of swing feel made him one of the most in demand sidemen of all time. For all these reasons and more, there will be a big tribute to Ray Brown at the Blue Note this month.
The Oscar Peterson Trio with Brown and Ed Thigpen (drums) is considered one of the best piano trios in all of jazz. The Final Concerts is put together from performances from 1965 Copenhagen and 1964 London and starts with Brown playing the melody to "Younger Than Springtime and when the band moves into Oscar Peterson's solo, you hear why the rhythm team of Brown and Thigpen are legendary; the swing feel is deep - serious and fun, bouncy and rock solid. "Autumn Leaves is also seriously swinging. This trio also has an amazing sense of dynamics; many of these tracks demonstrate how softly the musicians could play and that some of the sonic benefits of that approach are that Thigpen could drive the band with just brushes and Brown didn't have to fight to be heard. The sound on the 1964 concert is a little on the low-fidelity side, however the performances rise way above any less-than-perfect recording technique. There are 17 tracks on this CD and a lot of great music. Highlights include performances of "Misty , "Waltz for Debbie and Ray Bryant's "Cubano Chant .
Tracks and Personnel
The Final Concerts
Tracks: Younger Than Spring Time; Misty; Django; The Smudge; Autumn Leaves; Moanin'; Lovers Promenade; Children's Tune; Hallelujah Time; Con Alma; Waltz For Debbie; Cubano Chant; Yours Is My Heart Alone; Place St. Henri; My One And Only Love; Nightingale; Reunion Blues.
Personnel: Ray Brown: bass; Oscar Peterson: piano; Ed Thigpen: drums.
The Three
Tracks: Yearnin'; On Green Dolphin Street; Satin Doll; Manha Do Carnaval; 'Round About Midnight; Funky Blues; Yearnin'(alternate take); On Green Dolphin Street (alternate take); Satin Doll (alternate take); Manha Do Carnaval (alternate take); 'Round About Midnight (alternate take); Funky Blues (alternate take).
Personnel: Ray Brown: bass; Joe Sample: piano; Shelly Manne: drums.