This week's Late Night Chicago Radio was as cool as ever. Denny Farrell's laid back laconic style is as soporific a voice as you're ever going to hear other than from a hypnotic therapist and maybe not even then.
Lots of guitars tonight, a couple of Desmonds and some classy vocals - if you can't get to Chicago then let Chicago come to you.
Paul Desmond and Jim Hall got the show on the road with Easy Living. Desmond, of course earned his bread and butter with Dave Brubeck but, on those sides he made with Jim Hall he comes across as so much more relaxed and maybe this was the real Paul Desmond.
I claim responsibility for the second Desmond - Johnny Desmond. His version of I'm Thru With Love with Tony Mottola on guitar eclipses even Marilyn M's version. I've waxed eloquent previously about this track so I'll say no more 'cept that if he hadn't joined the army the guy from Hoboken may have ended up selling brushes door to door! Also, Denny, who knew Johnny from way back, lets us hear a hilarious radio out take with Johnny and Helen Forrest - I guess they'd been partying.
The Red Mitchell Quartet played Cheek to Cheek with James Clay on tenor, Billy Higgins on drums, Lorraine Geller on piano alongside Red on bass. It's a fine record although, I suspect, they may have been playing it slightly, dare I say it? tongue in cheek!
Diana Krall and I Was Doing Alright. They don't come much better than this. Nice guitar too although I'm not sure who it was.
When Denny announced Buddy Rich my first reaction was, Buddy? on a late night show? However, it was a small group with Harry Edison on trumpet, Barney Kessel on guitar and Buddy on brushes. You're Getting to be a Habit With me.
Mention Joe Williams and I automatically expect Every Day I Have the Blues but, this time it was Every Night and he didn't have the blues! Quite the opposite, he's speeding home to see his girl, gets stopped by a cop, "no I ain't been drinkin'" you know the scene.
Night Train by Jimmy Smith with Wes Montgomery on guitar hits the groove. Just right for late night but not if you're thinking of sleeping.
Tony Bennett - The Shadow of Your Smile. A classic song/recording and, what Bennett excels in, a perfect reading of the verse.
Finally, the lullaby. Kenny Burrell and Last Night When We Were Young. My eyes closed on the final bar and I knew there'd be no nightmares tonight.
Thank you Denny - Lance
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