Label : Epic/Legacy
Recorded : 1951-55
Original Release Date: July 26, 2005
Jazz
Recorded between 1951 and `55, these LEGENDARY OKEH & EPIC sessions present the revered, though often underrated, jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal hitting his stride. Backed by Ray Crawford on guitar and either Israel Crosby or Eddie Calhoun on bass, Jamal unveils inventive percussion-less takes on a number of standards, along with two originals, with his spare yet energetic piano work showcased on every track. These are the recordings that directly influenced Miles Davis`s late-`50s aesthetic, and this beautifully remastered collection is a reissue of the highest order. For aficionados of jazz piano, this album is essential.
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High Master? Not my words, but those of Randy Weston in his commentary on Ahmad Jamal published in this cd. Weston himself is a considerable composer and pianist. But, indeed, I also concur with Weston's assessment. Jamal is easily in my top five, hell top three, favorite pianists and this cd gives ample reasons why.
This cd represents all the recordings of Ahmad Jamal, Israel Crosby, Eddie Calhoun and Ray crawford originally released on Epic Records between 1951 and 1955. This is a top quality production from Legacy recordings who produced the POINCIANA cd which had about half the Epic tunes included here. There are liner notes by Nat Hentoff as well as Randy Weston. Also there are nice photos of a young Jamal as well as of the aforementioned musicians (nice to see pics of them). The cd label is also a reproduction of the old yellow Epic LP label.
This cd is absolutely essential for Jamal fans and comes highly recommended to anyone else interested in leading edge jazz piano. There is simply no one else like him. Jamal and crew are very easy and interesting to listen too. And Jamal one of the premiere influences in jazz history. He never strays far from the mid range of emotional expression but where he excells is his inventiveness, superb sense of time, swing and marvelous group interplay. And Crosby, Calhoun and Crawford are the type of truly outstanding musicians to make this interplay possible.
Every tune is outstanding and choosing a favorite is really hard. There is everything from up tempo romps like SURRY and BILLY BOY to Rhumbas like RICO PULPA and ballads OLD DEVIL MOON but I've always loved IT'S EASY TO REMEMBER.
By Tad Ulrich.
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Ahmad Jamal- Piano
Ray Crawford- Guitar
Eddie Calhoun- Acoustic bass (1-6)
Israel Crosby- Acoustic bass (7-21)
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01. Surrey With The Fringe On Top, The 2.51
02. Will You Still Be Mine 2.43
03. Ahmad`s Blues 2.56
04. Gal In Calico, 2.36
05. Aki & Ukthay 3.08
06. Billy Boy 2.39
07. Black Beauty 3.26
08. Love For Sale 8.31
09. Something To Remember You By 2.48
10. Poinciana 4.35
11. Don`t Blame Me 3.23
12. Autumn Leaves 2.41
13. They Can`t Take That Away From Me 2.58
14. Old Devil Moon 3.45
15. It`s Easy To Remember 2.56
16. Squeeze Me 3.51
17. Crazy He Calls Me 4.56
18. Pavanne 4.28
19. Perfidia 3.55
20. Rica Pulpa 3.51
21. Donkey Serenade 3.20
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