Another mainstream gem from Stunt Records. I can never get enough of Scott Hamilton's playing - that sound! So sensuous and compelling it draws me in like the proverbial moth to a flame. He doesn't dazzle the listener with fingerbusting arpeggios that, nine times out of ten, should have stayed where they belong - in the woodshed. Instead, he makes every note meaningful without jarring the sensibilities.
Looking Back is a themed album that does just that - looks back. The tenor player dedicates each of the ten tracks to a jazz legend who has influenced him during the course of his career.
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face, inspired by hearing the song played by Ruby Braff. I think Ruby, who I'm told wasn't one to s¹¹hower praise lightly, would have liked this version.
Jimmy Rowles, who was passionate about unusual songs, introduced The Maids of Cadiz to Scott back in the 1970s when they used to hang out at the China Song, a musicians' bar on Broadway. Like Miles and Gil Evans once did, Scott also stamps his identity on the Delibes' classic.
Beyond the Bluebird, a Tommy Flanagan original named after a club in Detroit, had actually been recorded by Scott with the composer when Scott was young. He chose the tune so he could get it right this time!
Big Tate. An original by Scott and dedicated to former Basie tenor saxist the late Buddy Tate with whom he recorded a couple of albums. Big Tate was also the name of an instant mashed potato.
The inspiration for Rockin' Chair didn't come from Louis Armstrong but from another trumpet player - Roy Eldridge. Eldridge encouraged the then young tenor player to go to New York.
Gerry Mulligan dedicated Noblesse to Ray Noble and Scott Hamilton in turn dedicated the song to Gerry.
Tune Up isn't dedicated to Miles Davis who recorded and popularised it but to the composer Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson. Scott toured Europe in 1980 with Cleanhead and Junior Mance commenting that he learned as much off the bandstand as on!
Hey There, one of the great, yet often overlooked, ballads. A big hit for Rosemary Clooney, Scott played as part of her backing band for 20 years acknowledging what a great singer she was. He also shared the dedication with Red Prysock.
Shadowland. Dedicated to pianist Dave Mckenna. "Dave wasn't a composer but he did write a few tunes". A classic remark. The title came from the book by Peter Straub. Scott didn't say that Peter wasn't an author but he wrote a few books.
On a Clear Day. Dedicated to Illinois Jacquet and Jo Jones, it brought to mind a memorable session at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the 1980s which featured a tenor battle between Hamilton, Jacquet, Budd Johnson and Arnett Cobb. This track isn't quite as wild but it still swings as indeed does the whole album.
Oh and by the way, I haven't forgotten there were three others in this band and all are tops. In Lundgren and Backenroth from Sweden and Leth from Denmark you have world class players whose jazz chops aren't restricted by an ocean or two.
Another cracker to get 2025 swinging. Lance
Release date: January 31 on Stunt Records.
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