Apart from a 1956 album by Ted Brown with Art Pepper and Warne Marsh, Freewheeling, and a 1959 album with Lee Konitz, Marsh and Jimmy Giuffre, Ted Brown seemed to vanish into the Californian mist - one of those will o' the wisp figures who are here one day and gone the next.
Or so I thought!
In actually fact, although pushing 98, Brown is still with us recording this live album in and around New York and New Jersey as relatively recently as 2013. What's more he still has that unique, icy cool sound that fitted in so well with Konitz and Marsh.
After You've Gone Has four minutes of non stop tenor before piano gives him a break. Gone With the Wind is a nice easy swinger with pianist Easton stretching out, before Messina has his say. The track closes with a gentle exchange of fours between tenor and piano.
I Can't Believe That You're in Love with me achieved a degree of popularity after Jo Ann Greer ghosted actress May Wynn's voice in the film The Caine Mutiny. No mutiny in this quartet, they swing as one with Chattin's brushwork particularly effective. Just You, Just me finds Brown in Lestorian mode with a suggestion of the tune's contrafact, Spotlite, hinted at. Messina, metromic in support loosens up with a great solo.
It's You or No One is a good tune and the quartet do it no harm at all maybe even enhancing it. Fine solos by all four. Some of the entwining lines between sax and piano bring to mind Brubeck and Desmond before they got involved in that odd time signature mullarky.
Everything Happens to me is given the balladic treatment it deserves. I sense that Brown, even when he's improvising is thinking as much about the words as the chords - him and Lester working the same side of the street. Rich harmonies from Easton and Messina who, incidentally provides informative background notes in the booklet.
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You. An out and out swinger to close with each one giving it their best shot as they have done throughout the album. Brown's solo is practically a re-writing of the head.
Years ago I attended concerts by Pepper, Marsh and Konitz but never caught Brown. With this live album I've theoretically got the set. Despite the Fi being less than Hi, as is so often the case with in situ recordings, if anything, it enhances the feel of actually being there. Recommended. Lance
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