Billie Holiday Vol 2 - Everest lp

I remember when I first bought this lp. It was a used record store sorta. The dude sold records on the landing of his parent's furniture shop. There were maybe 20 stacks of records around the floor, no crates or shelves.This was also the first time we had any access to used vinyl without driving the better part of 100 miles.
Years later this is a destination shop for me in the midwest. He has taken over the entire second floor and most of the first. Of course more space is dedicated to digital than vinyl, but the dude remains a collector at heart and there is always cool stuff to be unearthed at his shop.

 I love these Everest records. I have no doubt that these sessions were culled from many sources and given the artists represented I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't released any many other forms...but this is one of those jazz records I grew up with,  different from what was readily available and just cool as hell. This lp's heritage includes a period when it was the go-to choice when the rain was pattering on the roof of my house, I was safely ensconced in my mancave in the unfinished and rarely comfortable attic.Playing this brings back many fond memories. Enjoy.

Billie Holiday

Volume II

1. Fine And Mellow

2. What A Little Moonlight Can Do

3. Fooling Myself

4. Easy To Remember

5. You've Changed

6. Ghost Of A Chance

7. Willow Weep For Me

8. Stormy Weather

Musicians include Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Mingus, Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Gerry Mulligan, Vic Dickerson, Milt Hinton, Doc Cheatham, Danny Barker, Mal Waldron, Osie Johnson, Tyree Glenn.

recorded 8/29/56, 12/8/57, and 6/18/58

FS 310

Ron Carter - Where?

 Come on y'all....an overlooked classic. Well an MOR classic at the very least. Still a lovely lp.
I love the fact that Dolphy is the single horn, that alone should make it worth your time but he is not the star!! Nor does the impressive placement of Mal Waldron's moniker make this a must have. This is totally Ron  Carter's lp and he makes that known. The other dudes fall in line.
 The cello/bass interplay on Duet is lovely in its simplicity. I wish I saw the cello used more often.
 Anyway enjoy this gem on our nation's birthday. Any excuse for a cookout and great music for the background.

Ron Carter 

Where?

1. Rally

2. Bass Duet

3. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise

4. Where?

5. Yes, Indeed

6. Saucer Eyes

Eric Dolphy - alto sax, bass clarinet, flute

Ron Carter - cello, bass

Mal Waldron - piano

George Duvivier - bass (except on "Softly" and "Saucer Eyes"

Charlie Persip - drums

Recorded 1/20/61 at Van Gelder Studios

New Jazz 8265

Mal Waldron / Marion Brown - Songs of Love and Regret

Sometimes your hands shake when you stumble across a recording that you have been searching for. And sometimes you stumble across one, and think "this looks cool, I wonder why I never heard of it."
I had the second reaction when I should have had the first. Why some fool dumped this off is beyond me. Praise be to the fool behind the counter that sold it to me for 8 bucks because it was still in an unsorted pile and he didn't feel like dicking around.

As is understood I am a huge Waldron fan and though I haven't posted any Marion Brown I love him as well. I had meant to post this shortly after Marion's passing but it slipped my mind.
This set is mostly covers , although a couple are pretty obscure. "A cause.." is a Waldron original as is "To the Golden Lady" by Brown. "Contemplation" is by Tyner and "Hurry Sundown" by Clarence Williams. The others should not need an introduction. The one remark I will say is Blue Monk (take 2) doesn't feel like an alternate take but mostly just a different take that was always headed for this session.

This has recently become one of my favorite recordings. The lyricism these two share shines on this lp.

1. Blue Monk
2. A Cause de Monk
3. To The Golden Lady In Her Graham Cracker Window
4. Contemplation
5. Hurry Sundown
6. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
7. Blue Monk (take 2)

Marion Brown - alto sax
Mal Waldron - piano

recorded 11/9-10/85 - Yerres, France on FreeLance records.

FRL-CD006

Dizzy Gillespie - The Cool World soundtrack

I have a soft spot for this period of Dizzy's work and this is no exception. Dizzy seemed to hit a surprisingly productive stretch in the mid 60's. This is one is somewhat odd. The soundtrack for Shirley Clarke's 1964 film, all of the tunes were written by Mal Waldron, though he does not appear on the lp.

I have never run across the movie but I would sure like to at some point, just to see how the whole thing fits together. Otherwise this soundtrack stands quite well by itself.

I don't think it is terribly hard to track down so what I offer here is the mono version burned from my lp.

The Cool World
Dizzy Gillespie

1. Theme from "The Cool World"
2. The Pushers
3. Enter, Priest
4. Duke's Awakening
5. Duke On The Run
6. Street Music
7. Bonnie's Blues
8. Duke's Fantasy
9. Coney Island
10. Coolie
11. Duke's Last Soliloquy

Dizzy Gillespie - trumpet
James Moody - tenor sax and flute
Kenny Barron - piano
Chris White - bass
Rudy Collins - drums

PHM 200-138

The Soul Of Jazz Percussion

Here's one of those crazy WTF records. Who actually launched this idea? Anyone heard of this label? How did whoever get all these people together for, well for this?

Now I'm not gonna lie to ya, it ain't in the best shape but it is not bad. Records like these are only found in flea markets and garage sales.

While the potential for cheese can be high, just before it hits that point some tasty solos are dished out. No one performer stands out and decent solos are spread around. Even the arrangements are decent and interesting.

The Soul Of Jazz Percussion

1. Construction Crew (Waldron)
2. Ping Pong Beer (Chambers, Evan, Jones)
3. Call To Arms (Waldron)
4. Witch-fire (Little)
5. November Afternoon (MacIntosh)
6. Chasin' The Bird (Parker)
7. Prophesy (Levister)
8. Quiet Temple (Waldron)
9. Wee-Tina (Shaunessy)

(composers)

Curtis Fuller - trombone
Booker little - trumpet
Donald Byrd - trumpet
Philly Joe Jones - drums
Paul Chambers - bass
Pepper Adams - baritone
Bill Evans - piano
Mal Waldron - piano
Armando Peraza - congo
Marcus Belgrave - trumpet
Addison Farmer - bass
Don Ellis - trumpet
Willie Rodriguez - percussion
Earl Zindars - percussion
Ed Shaughnessy - drums

Warwick W5003 ST

This is not in great shape but not bad - I would love to see someone clean this up.

Something New, Something Blue - Columbia Special Projects lp

Well isn't that a tiny little cover? Pretty cool lp though...for what it is. Columbia special projects? Whatever that may be. Was this stuff released elsewhere? I have no idea.

Basically a bunch of blues tunes, originals and covers arranged by 4 up and coming composers. All star casts were supplied. It may not be perfect but it actually works.

You really have to love finding this kinda thing in the dollar bins at local flea markets!

Something New, Something Blue

1. Night Crawlers
2. Tin Roof Blues
3. Blues for Amy
4. St. Louis Blues
5. Swinging Goatsherd Blues
6. Blues in The Night
7. East Hampton Blues
8. Davenport Blues

1-4 recorded 5/15/59

Manny Alban - leader
Bill Evans - piano
Art Farmer - trumpet
Phil Woods - saxophone
Frank Rehak - trombone
Eddie Costa - vibes
Al Cohn - saxophone
Addison Farmer - bass
Ed Shaughnessy - drums
Teo Macero - leader

5-8 recorded 4/30/59

Teddy Charles - vibes, leader
Bill Russo - leader
Ed Shaughnessy - drums
Mal Waldron - piano
Bob Brookmeyer - trombone
George Duvivier - drums
Donald Byrd - trumpet
Hal McCusnick - saxophone
Frank Socolow - saxophone

CL 1388

Mal Waldron - The Whirling Dervish

Another of Waldron's early 70's output, this was recorded in Paris in May of '72.
After my last posting I found this in the cd player frequently over the next few days.
This is a particularly nice trio session with the opening piece entering in at a lengthy 25 minutes. Sure it requires some attention but the rewards are great. The title tune proves to be aptly named as spins off at a quick pace. It is a bit more accesible but never short of ideas, takes an interesting turn as Waldron lays out for a bit and then makes a sly re entry. The final piece, the shortest, Walk is the closest to a standard post bop entry. Once again the title reflects the feel of the music as we stroll away from the lp feeling satisfied and happy.

I don't believe this lp is terribly hard to come by, but it seems to be criminally overlooked.

Mal Waldron - piano
Peter Warren - bass
Noel McGhie - drums

Mal Waldron - The Whirling Dervish (America (F) 30 AM 6128)

mal waldron - up popped the devil

Contrary to simple thinking that enja only showcases quiet, meditative third stream recordings, some of these earlier ones are freaking burning down the barn.

A great trio recording made just before Mal basically headed down a quieter path. I love Waldron in group settings and this is by far one of my favorites. I've even managed to accept the guest flautist but I still carry reservations concerning the instrument.

With all respect I must say that I got this recording from another blog a couple of years ago, but I will be damned if I remember where ( and I have tried to figure it out.) To the original poster, my many thanks for such a great record.

Recorded NYC 12-28-73
enja 2034-1

Mal Waldron - piano
Reggie Workman - bass
Billy Higgins - drums
Carla Poole - flute (tr. 2)

If you are so inclined, it can be found here.