I'm walkin' along, mindin' my business in Jarrow's Viking Shopping Centre when fate decides I should pop into the Marie Curie shop to pick up a James Patterson book - there's always one! I deliberately avoid looking at the CDs knowing that I have a floor to ceiling pile of albums awaiting review. Unfortunately, I do sneak a glance and what do I see? - a Marian McPartland Concord CD - In My Life - with Chris Potter blowing sax!
A 1993 Concord recording with Gary Mazzaroppi on bass and Glenn Davis on drums and the aforementioned Potter wailing on both alto and tenor this is the late First Lady of Jazz at her finest.
A beautiful reflective player who can also kick ass when the chips are down. The rhythm section goes with her all the way and Potter slots in easily. Marian recalls hearing him when he was 15. "We've got to get him together with Woody Herman" she raved enthusiastically. His father shook his head and said, "Not until he's left school".
He'd certainly left school by the time of this recording!
If BSH had been going in 1993 this would have been my Disc of the Year.
Tracks: Groove Yard (Carl Perkins); In My Life ( Lennon & McCartney); In the Days of Our Love (M. McP); Red Planet ( Coltrane); What's New? (Haggart); Gone With the Wind; Close Your Eyes; For Dizzy (M. McP); Moon and Sand (Alec Wilder); Naima (Coltrane); Velas; Ramblin' (Ornette); Singin' the Blues.
The latter tune was in memory of husband Jimmy and, of course, his idol - Bix.It's a beautiful record. I've long advocated Marian as a front runner and this English lady could hold her own with any of her contemporaries.
The best James Patterson book I never bought!
Lance.
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