Mary Lou WILLIAMS - I Made You Love Paris 1954

Mary Lou WILLIAMS - I Made You Love Paris 1954
2001 Issue.

Jazz

Mary Lou Williams is easily the most honoured and well-known female instrumentalist in jazz so far. Her career started in earnest with Andy Kirk's Band for whom she was not only pianist, but also staff arranger. Many people believe that it is because of her arrangements that the music of the Kirk Band is still heard today.
She was very influential with a lot of younger jazz performers who she constantly helped and encouraged. Her latter days were spent teaching at Duke University in North Carolina, she died in 1981 at the age of 71.Her most famous composition was her Zodiac Suite, which was performed by the Dizzy Gillespie Big band at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival.
This particular CD has her playing I many different settings from solo piano to quintet. On two of the tracks British singer Beryl Bryden is heard, this was something of a surprise as she has mostly worked with more traditional organisations, however everything works out fine. In all the different groups the talent of Mary Lou shines through and she certainly was a top class performer, I particularly liked the trio version of Memories of You, the up-tempo Lover and the solo piano on Small Hotel. On every tack however she exudes professionalism.
It is nice to have something from Mary Lou Williams in the library, she was a woman who lived for her music and her chosen music was jazz. She made a major contribution to its enhancement both as a performer and arranger.
By Don Mather.
**
Mary Lou Willams- Piano
Beryl Bryden- Vocals 3&8
Nelson Williams- Trumpet 2,5,10&11
Ray Lawrence- Tenor2,5,10&11
Buddy banks- Bass
Kansas Fields, Jaques David- Drums
**
01. Avalon 2:37
02. Scratchin' in the Gravel 3:36
03. Rock Me 3:11
04. I Made You Love Paris 2:34
05. Nancy Is In Love With The colonel 3:12
06. Swingin' For the Guys 2:30
07. Club Francais Blues 3:25
08. Freight Train Blues 3:13
09. Memories Of You 3:11
10. Leg'n Lou 2:58
11. Mary Lou Blues 2:52
12. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea 2:17
13. There's A Small Hotel 3:11
14. En Ce Temps-La 3:21
15. Lover 3:04
16. Carioca 2:40
17. Nicole 3:31
18. Tire Tire L'Aiguille 2:34
19. Autumn In New York 2:31
**

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Mary Lou WILLIAMS - Black Christ of the Andes 1964

Mary Lou WILLIAMS - Black Christ of the Andes 1964
2004 Reissue.


The Smithsonian Folkways reissue of Mary Lou Williams's 1964 experimental classic BLACK CHRIST OF THE ANDES is an excellent package. With four previously unreleased bonus tracks and an annotated booklet including track-by-track notes and accompanying photographs, there is no shortage of extras. Fortunately, one also gets the remarkable original album--a project of great ambition on which Williams melds spirituals, blues, and jazz into a forward-thinking suite that draws the thematic parallel between Christian spirituality and African-American music.

Stylistically, BLACK CHRIST OF THE ANDES is nothing if not eclectic. Peppered with spiritually themed a cappella choral pieces, Williams's album spins through a history of modern music. Sophisticated interpretations of familiar tunes (including a smoky "It Ain't Necessarily So) alternate with Williams's originals. The fractured, avant-classical "A Fungus A Mungus," for example, gives way to the fun bounce of "Koolbonga," before closing out with the rollicking "Praise the Lord." The artist's piano skills are on full display here, too; her solos show her roots as a stride pianist, yet also find her conversant with post-bop and modal playing. For its musical range and breadth of vision, BLACK CHRIST OF THE ANDES is a stunning and singular achievement.

Complex and brooding suites by jazz artists have often received mixed reviews. Whether hailed as brilliant and visionary or slammed as self-indulgent and trite  Ellington's Black, Brown and Beige, Charles Mingus' infamous Town Hall Concert, or even Wynton Marsalis' Blood on the Fields all come to mind these works are, if nothing else, great risks for the artists involved. At the time of its initial performance, "Black Christ of the Andes" (or "St. Martin de Porres") was called everything from "blues stripped of its accent" to a "hokey prayer," prompting Williams to cut it from her repertoire before the release of the LP in 1964. An unfortunate fate for a very enjoyable and, now, highly regarded piece of music. Williams explained her pioneering concept of pairing jazz with spirituals as an attempt to heal the disparity between the gifted nature of the African-American and his tendency toward the worst kinds of sin. In fact, the original title for this LP was Music for Disturbed Souls. Certainly, by 1962 others had employed the modes and feel of the church into jazz, but Williams' use of the Ray Charles Singers (no relation to the other Ray Charles) added an element that made "St. Martin," an a cappella choral piece, a much more church-oriented affair than, say, John Coltrane's "Spiritual." Williams' vision, like Coltrane's, was at times dark and sobering while at others full of warmth and hope. It would have been completely out of place, however, at the Village Vanguard. This is a piece that belongs, if not in the church, then certainly out of the nightclub circuit. Other tracks on this LP, though, like her sublime rendition of "It Ain't Necessarily So," would have been welcome in their dark and smoky confines. Otherwise, expect a jump blues number, a handful of trio cuts (some featuring Percy Heath), and a smattering of various vocal combinations throughout. A number of styles are represented here and they weave amongst one another with ease and grace. This is a very enjoyable record with some especially rewarding piano solos by Williams. [The 2004 reissue contains four previously unreleased bonus tracks.]
By Brandon Burke.
**
Mary Lou Williams- Piano;
Choruses:
The Ray Charles Singers (1,3),
The George Gordon Singers (5,14);
Conductor,Howard Roberts (1,3);
Bass- Theodore Cromwell (2,4), Larry Gales (5,14), Percy Heath (6,7,8,10,11,12,13);
Drums- George Chamble (2,4), Percy Brice (5), Tim Kennedy (6,7,8,10,11,12,13);
Guitar- Grant Green (5,14);
Bass clarinet- Budd Johnson (5);
Tenor Sax- Budd Johnson (14);
Solo vocals- Jimmy Mitchell (5,14)
**
01. St. Martin De Porres 6:32
02. It Ain't Necessarily So 4:41
03. The Devil 4:00
04. Miss D.D. 2:28
05. Anima Christi 2:48
06. A Grand Night For Swinging 3:06
07. My Blue Heaven 3:21
08. Dirge Blues 2:57
09. A Fungus A Mungus 3:21
10. Koolbonga 3:21
11. Forty-Five Degree Angle 2:50
12. Nicole 3:37
13. Chunka Lunka 3:07
14. Praise The Lord 5:55
**

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Mary Lou WILLIAMS Trio At Rick's Cafe Americain 1979

Mary Lou WILLIAMS Trio At Rick's Cafe Americain 1979
Label: Storyville
CD issued in 1998

Jazz

This CD is one of a handful by Mary Lou Williams finally appearing in "record" bins. Here's Mary Lou at age 69 and at the height of her powers (despite, as we're told by biographer Linda Dahl, physical ailments and a recent diagnosis of cancer). Also on board were Milton Suggs, bass, and Drashear Khalid, drums (brushes on all but one cut).

Billy Taylor has often said of Mary Lou Williams that "she has the most consistent way of swinging" and that was never more true than on this album. The menu is all standards (listed below*), infused with creativity and power. The opening "Autumn Leaves" is worth the price of admission, with intriguing substitutions, wonderfully percussive stabbed chords, intense swing and a surprise ending. Plus a great bass solo. Other stand-outs are a waltz version of "My Funny Valentine" and Billy Taylor's minor blues "A Grand Night for Swinging", where Mary Lou goes from intricate to gut bucket.

The album boasts great solos throughout, though Khalid only gets one. There are a few moments where the trio's out of synch or the pianist seems to slightly cut off a solo. Though I'm a fan of abrupt endings I thought that three out of thirteen was a bit too much. But overall there's great expression, creativity and energy here. It's just another piece of evidence that Mary Lou Williams deserves greater recognition as a pianist. Period (not just female pianist as she's often described).
By Bob Jacobson.
**
With relatively few recordings of Mary Lou Williams from the latter years of her life, the discovery of a previously unreleased live date is a joy. There are many highlights: her peppy take on "The Jeep Is Jumpin'," her very first recording of "Without a Song," and her bluesy classic "What's Your Story Morning Glory." A furious "Caravan" is followed by a lengthy exploration of Billy Taylor's "A Grand Night for Swinging," as indeed it was for the trio heard that night in 1979 in Chicago. Bassist Milton Suggs shows off his chops on the opener "Autumn Leaves," while drummer Drashear Khalid proves to be an impeccable timekeeper.
By Ken Dryden.
**
Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981) was first known as the pianist and arranger of the famous Andy Kirk's Clouds of Joy,during the thirties.Born in Pittsburgh,May 8,1910,this exceptionnally talented musician could have remained in our minds as one of the top musicians of the pre-war Kansas City style, but she didn't.This immense Lady recorded during the fifities,sixties and seventies some rare but inestimable albums,some masterpieces in the difficult art of piano jazz.Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell learned a lot from her,and this recording shows where Ahmad Jamal comes from.Recorded in Chicago,at the Rick's Café,November 14,1979,this outstanding trio session shows Mary Lou in top form,playing with a Dukish modernity (at the same time,she recorded a duet album with Cecil Taylor at the Montreux Jazz Festival !!!!) and swinging through great standards.I urge you to listen to her, because she's one of the most talented jazz pianist ever,completely unclassable.The incredible modernity,ferocity and swing of her playing is amazing during the 13 tracks of this concert.A special mention for her versions of Duke Ellington's "the Jeep is jumping" and "Caravan",and for the rarely played "St James infirmary".Sixty seven minutes of very great music,played by one of jazz's greatest artists.
By  JEAN-MARIE JUIF
**
Mary Lou Williams- Piano ;
Milton Suggs- Bass ;
Drashear Khalid- Drums.
**
01. Autumn Leaves (7:32)
02. I Can't Get Started (5:08)
03. You Can't Take That Away From Me (4:04)
04. Satin Doll (5:20)
05. The Jeep Is Jumping (4:02)
06. St. James Infirmary (5:53)
07. Surrey With The Fringe On Top (3:00)
08. My Funny Valentine (5:08)
09. Mack The Knife (3:38)
10. What's Your Story Morning Glory (2:54)
11. Without A Song (6:58)
12. Caravan (4:41)
13. A Grand Night For Swinging (9:16)
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