CD 2; As above with Vernel Fournier (drums on tks 1&2);
Frank Gant (drums on tks 3-5).
The second volume of Jamal's sessions at the Penthouse Club in Seattle. A two x two album from 1965 and 1966 following comfortably on from the first volume that covered 1963 and 1964.
Both sets are required listening for anyone who likes modern jazz piano. Although all tracks on all four discs are indispensable, the uptempo blast on the final Whisper Not is something else. I wonder what composer Benny Golson thought of this take on his dark, melancholy ballad? To me it worked. If the tune is good enough it should stand up to whatever interpretation it's faced with and Whisper Not does just that. When you come to think about it, the title itself is a contradiction!
I Didn't Know What Time it Was runs for just over 15 minutes which may explain the choice of tune. However, it isn't a minute too long with all three soloing without losing their integration with the other two. If I were asked to chose my ten favourite piano tracks of all time, this would be up there with tracks by Waller, Hines, Powell, Peterson, Garner, Jarrett, Evans, Corea and Hancock - it's that good.
Why wasn't I in Seattle back then? I'm sure they could have used me in some capacity and I could have chilled out at the Penthouse Club in the evenings. Come to think about it, I was playing at the Penthouse Club back then, albeit not in Seattle but a joint in South Shields that later became a martial arts club which wasn't that much different to its previous status. Still, I lived long enough to hear this superb album. Lance
The albums, by Elemental Music are due to be released on Nov. 25 as a 2 x 2 vinyl album and on Dec. 2 as a 2 x 2 CD set or download.
For a review of the first album go HERE.
I Didn't Know What Time it Was; Who Can I Turn To?; My First Love Song; Feeling Good.
Concern; Like Someone in Love; Invitation; Pianciana; Whisper Not.
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