Zuzu BOLLIN - Texas Bluesman 1989

Zuzu BOLLIN - Texas Bluesman 1989

Blues

In the early Fifties, Zuzu Bollin, a journeyman jump-blues singer-guitarist from Dallas, cut four superb sides for the tiny Torch label before fading away. Despite a deep, charcoal voice and a guitar style that, at times, echoed the poetic precision of T-Bone Walker, Bollin was somehow forgotten by all but the most avid blues collectors. That changed, however, in 1987 when it was discovered that Bollin was still living in the Big D and anxious to return to the blues after a thirty-five-year hiatus.
The propitious find led to a recording session and the local, vinyl-only release of Bollin's first-ever album, Texas Bluesman, in 1989. But Bollin's comeback was short-lived; he died in 1990 before he had the chance to resuscitate both his career and a big-band blues sound that had disappeared in the Sixties. Fortunately, Clifford Antone, owner of the Austin blues club and the record label that bear his name, thought so much of Texas Bluesman that he decided to re-release the album on CD and make it available to blues fans beyond the Lone Star State. Whether or not Bollin's reputation will grow larger is uncertain. But one thing is sure: Bollin should have been recording all the years he wasn't.
The proof is found in renditions of tunes like "Big Legs," "Hey Little Girl" and the Jimmy Rushing-Count Basie beauty "Blues in the Dark," all of which artfully depict how blues, rhythm & blues and Texas swing can mesh and, in the process, create big-band grooves that beckon feet to the dance floor. With Bollin at the mike and the smooth Juke Jumpers, complemented by old friends like saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman and guitarist Wayne Bennett, shoring up a swinging background, Texas Bluesman blows through contemporary music like a blast of fresh air. Bollin wasn't afraid to share the spotlight, either – just check out Bennett's eye-opening guitar work on "Cold, Cold Feeling."
On Texas Bluesman we get a taste of the state's blues legacy, but we're left with the sad wish that Bollin were around to enjoy the fun.
**
Zuzu Bollin (September 5, 1922 – October 2, 1990) was an American blues guitarist from Frisco, Texas. Originally born 'A.D. Bollin', the name 'Zuzu' is believed to refer to a brand of ginger-snap cookies popular at the time . Zuzu was thought to be dead until he was rediscovered in 1988 living in Dallas Texas by Dallas Blues Society Records founder Chuck Nevitt. Nevitt gathered together a top notch band and produced Bollin's first full length LP "Texas Bluesman" in 1989 as the debut release on Dallas Blues Society Records. This record was sold to Antones Records a couple of years later, and Antones released it on CD. This recording augmented Zuzu's only 4 sides (two 78rpm records) recorded in the early 50s on the Dallas based Torch label. Before his death in 1990 Zuzu made festival dates both in the states and abroad.
**
CD includes two previously unreleased tracks.Personnel: Zuzu Bollin (vocals, guitar); Duke Robillard, Wayne Bennett (guitar); Mike Strickland (saxophone, baritone saxophone); David "Fathead" Newman , Rocky Morales, Robert Harwell, Marchel Ivery (tenor saxophone); John Mills (baritone saxophone); Charles McBurney, Keith Winking (trumpet); Jon Blondell (trombone); Craig Simechek, Doug Sahm (piano); Doyle Bramhall, George Rains (drums).Audio Mixers: Derek O'Brien; Duke Robillard; George Rains; Stuart Sullivan; Bob Sullivan.Liner Note Authors: Derek O'Brien; Tony Burke.Recording information: Fire Station Studio, San Marcos, TX; Sumet-Bernet Studios, Dallas, TX.Photographer: Kent Barker.Unknown Contributor Role: Derek O'Brien.Zuzu's principal contribution to Texas blues history is an immaculately realized collection that includes remakes of both sides of his debut 78 (the original version of "Why Don't You Eat Where You Slept Last Night" is available on Vol. 3 of Rhino's Blues Masters series, "Texas Blues") and a uniformly tasty lineup of jump blues goodies. The sterling band includes guitarist Duke Robillard (who co-produced), drummer George Rains, and saxists David Newman and Kaz Kazanoff.
By Bill Dahl. AMG.
**
Duke Robillard- (Guitar),
Doug Sahm- (Piano),
Jack Barber- (Bass),
Wayne Bennett- (Guitar),
Jon Blondell- (Bass),
Jon Blondell- (Trombone),
Zuzu Bollin- (Guitar),(Vocals),
Doyle Bramhall- (Drums),
Sumter Bruton- (Rhythm Guitar),
Robert Harwell- (Tenor Sax),
Marchel Ivery- (Tenor Sax),
Charles McBurney- (Trumpet),
Rocky Morales- (Tenor Sax),
David "Fathead" Newman- (Tenor Sax),
George Rains- (Drums),
Craig Simechek- (Piano),
Keith Winking- (Trumpet),
Mike Strickland- (Baritone Sax),
Hash Brown- (Rhythm Guitar),
John Mills- (Baritone Sax),
Jim Milam (Clevenger Bass).
**
01.  Big Legs  02:38
02.  Hey Little Girl  03:38
03.  Blues in the Dark  04:40
04.  Kidney Stew  02:57
05.  Cold Cold Feeling  05:25
06.  What Don't You Eat Where You Slept Last Night  02:54
07.  Headlight Blues  02:56
08.  How Do You Want Your Rollin' Done  02:58
09.  Leary Blues  03:37
10.  Rebecca  03:26
11.  Zu's Blues  05:22
**

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Seasick STEVE and The Level Devils - Cheap 2004

Seasick STEVE and The Level Devils - Cheap 2004

Blues

*Cheap* is the debut album from Seasick Steve. It consists of songs by him and his Swedish band The Level Devils, and also two stories from his life as a hobo.
The Level Devils consisted at this time of Kai Christoffersen playing the drums and Jo Husmo bass. Dan Magnusson subsequently took over drumming duties.
**
Resoundingly lo-fi and raw, this album from Seasick Steve and the Level Devils
thunders out of the speakers just like the late R L Burnside used to do. Ragged
and loud, it makes most other modern music sound distinctly artificial.
Interspersed with stories of his life as a hobo, he lays down a fearsome groove.
"Sorry Mr Jesus" and "8 Ball" hit you hard with their sheer intensity. "Xmas
Prison Blues" comes straight from the heart and "Rooster Blues" ends the album
with a slice of pure Chicago style blues. Not so much produced as persuaded on
to tape, this music sounds like it should be on an old 78 rather than the
pristine digital clarity of our modern age.
Raw and at the same time unassuming, Seasick Steve is about as far from the
commercial forefront as you can get these days. Maybe that explains his appeal.
Out of time but not out of place, who said a white man cannot feel the blues?
The truth is on show here and to (over) use a phrase the Bluesbunny is fond of,
Seasick Steve is the real deal.
**
Seasick Steve- Guitars and Foot Percussion
Jo Husmo- Bass
Kai Christoffersen- Drums
**
01. Cheap 4:05
02. Rockin' Chair 3:36
03. Hobo Blues 3:01
04. Story #1 5:45
05. Sorry My Jesus 4:17
06. Love Thang 3:44
07. Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde 5:14
08. Story #2 7:07
09. 8 Ball 3:41
10. Xmas Prison Blues 4:16
11. Levi Song 4:20
12. Rooster Blues 10:47
**

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Dizzy GILLESPIE and His Oechestra - Gillespiana 1960

Dizzy GILLESPIE and His Oechestra - Gillespiana 1960
1961 Issue.CLP 1484/CSD1392

Jazz

For the first jazz release on his self-run Aleph label, Schifrin flew to Cologne, Germany to record this solid remake of Gillespiana, his 1960 five-movement concerto for Dizzy Gillespie with which Schifrin had been touring earlier in 1996. Designed to illustrate the sources that inspired Gillespie's music, the work remains one of the chameleonic Schifrin's best in a big-band idiom, particularly the dynamic Afro-Cuban-flavored blues "Toccata" that closes the concerto. The choice of Jon Faddis as Gillespie's stand-in was, of course, a no-brainer, for Faddis is the foremost Gillespie disciple on the scene, and his high-wire performance here captures both the stratospheric Gillespie of his youth and the mellower, slyer, muted Gillespie of later years. Fellow Jazz Meets the Symphony regular Paquito D'Rivera has some hot solo passages on alto; Alex Acuña and Marcio Doctor are given percussion showcases; Schifrin himself remains a persuasive jazz pianist, and Cologne's WDR Big Band almost matches the electricity that Schifrin's American bands generated on tour with this piece.
By Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide.
**
Dizzy Gillespie recorded Gillespiana in November 1960. At that time, Lalo Schifrin, a 28-year-old- Argentinean, was his pianist and musical conductor. Gillespie had first heard him in 1956 - he was struck by Schifrin's writing and asked the young musician to compose something for him. This was the start of Gillespiana, which was described in the original album notes as a "suite form [in a] concerto grosso format".
**
Bass- Art Davis
Bongos- Jack Del Rio
Congas- Candido
Drums- Chuck Lampkin
Horns- Al Richman* , Gunther Schuller , James Buffington* , Julius Watkins , Morris Secon , William Lister
Piano- Lalo Schifrin,Arrange
Saxophone- Leo Wright
Timbales, Timpani- Willie Rodriguez
Trombone- Britt Woodman , Frank Rehak , Paul Faulise , Urbie Green
Trumpet- Clark Terry , Dizzy Gillespie , Ernie Royal , Joe Wilder , John Frosk
Tuba- Don Butterfield
**

A1. Prelude   5:52
A2. Blues   11:16
A3. Panamericana   4:39
B1. Africana   7:31
B2. Toccata   12:01
**
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Shelly MANNE & His Men - Play More Music From Peter Gunn, Son Of Gunn! 1959

Shelly MANNE & His Men - Play More Music From Peter Gunn, Son Of Gunn! 1959
2005 Issue

Jazz

While drummer/bandleader Shelly Manne's initial 1959 outing, dedicated to Henry Mancini's Peter Gunn TV scores, was more than just a novelty, this follow-up disc stretches the concept to the absolute limit. Recorded only five months after the release of Shelly Manne & His Men Play Peter Gunn, Son of Gunn!! sounds exactly like what it is: jazz musicians taking ostensibly generic background music for a television show and trying to make something more out of it. Apparently, even Mancini was aware of the challenge these musicians were facing, and encouraged them to apply free interpretations on these ten cuts and not to worry about maintaining a "Mancini feeling." Besides the lack of interesting material, Manne was also working with a brand-new front lineup, as trumpeter Conte Candoli and alto saxophonist Herb Geller were replaced by trumpeter Joe Gordon and tenor man Richie Kamuca. In retrospect, this isn't a horrible set, just one that should have focused less on concept and more on vision.
By Al Campbell. AMG.
**
A crackling set of crime jazz from drummer Shelly Manne -- a follow-up to his first set of work from the Peter Gunn soundtrack, and arguably even better than the first! Manne's working here with a great combo that includes Victor Feldman on vibes, Joe Gordon on trumpet, and Richie Kamuca on tenor  playing with a warmly raspy tone that gives the work a quality that's even more soulful than the Henry Mancini originals that inspired the set, and which is perfectly matched with the trumpet of Joe Gordon. There's a depth here that goes way beyond the simple soundtrack roots of the material and the arrangements on the set are proof that Manne was one of the hippest-thinking jazz cats on the mainstream LA scene of the time. Titles include "Spook", "Joanna", "Walkin Bass", "Blues For Mothers", "Odd Ball", "Blue Steel", and "Goofin At The Coffee House".
From Dusty Groove.
**
More music from Mother's, Peter Gunn's favorite watering hole. Manne's second LP of Mancini's TV show music has weaker material & a different front line (trumpeter Conte Candoli & alto saxophonist Herb Geller replaced by trumpeter Joe Gordon & Richie Kamuca on tenor.). This followup is more bluesy than the first album. Maybe not essential Shelly Manne, but both albums taken together are classic Mancini & "crime jazz."
**
Bass- Monty Budwig
Composed By, Arranged By- Henry Mancini
Drums- Shelly Manne
Piano- Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone- Richie Kamuca
Trumpet- Joe Gordon
Vibraphone [Vibraharp], Marimba- Victor Feldman
**
01. Odd Ball (H. Mancini) (3:33)
02. Blue Steel (H. Mancini) (4:52)
03. Spook! (H. Mancini) (5:24)
04. Joanna (H. Mancini) (4.13)
05. Goofin' at the Coffee House (H. Mancini) (3:34)
06. Walkin' Bass (H. Mancini) (4:31)
07. My Manne Shelly (H. Mancini) (3:38)
08. Blues for Mother's (H. Mancini) (4:25)
09. A Quiet Gass (H. Mancini) (4:36)
10. Lightly (H. Mancini) (3:32)
**

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Paul HORN - Jazz Suite on the Mass Texts 1965

Paul HORN - Jazz Suite on the Mass Texts 1965
LSP-3414

Jazz

A piece of music played by jazz specialist Paul Horn with music composed and conducted by Lalo Schifrin, the material present brings both the classical and jazz genres together, blending it further with the magic and mystery of the hymns of the church. The music at times is structured and arranged for the listener to enjoy with ease and relaxation. Though one point of the record is its method of tension and release, present during the far more abstract parts of the record, such as at the very climax of "Credo." The music here is a reflection of the church, using a broader base of textures and colors in jazz. The dynamics are powerful in this performance, and the communication between Horn's quintet, the orchestra led by Lalo Schifrin, and the chorus is undeniably magical. Certainly much of the record can be found leading into the realm of experimental music, and the critical listener should not be so critical, but rather sit, enjoy, and open their mind and listening senses.
By Shawn M. Haney, All Music Guide.
**
One of Paul Horn's groovier albums from the 60s -- and a record that features some nice arrangements by Lalo Schifrin! As the title might make you guess, the album's kind of a "jazz mass", and replicates the Kyrie, Gloria, and Offertory progression of a regular Catholic mass. The whole thing might be pretty snoozy, but it's fortunately saved by some nice playing by Horn, and by groovy elements in Schifrin's arrangements, particularly the percussion playing of Emil Richards and Milt Holland.
From Dusty Groove.
**
Lalo Schifrin- (Conductor),
Paul Horn- (Clarinet),Flute),(Alto Sax),
Conte Candoli- (Trumpet),
Bill Plummer- (Bass),
Lynn Blessing- (Vibraphone),
Al Porcino- (Trumpet),
Larry Bunker- (Drums),
Red Callender- (Tuba),
Milt Holland- (Percussion),
Dorothy Remsen- (Harp),
Emil Richards- (Percussion),
Frank Rosolino- (Trombone),
Ann Mason Stockton- (Harp),
Ken Watson- (Percussion),
Vincent DeRosa- (French Horn),
Frank Emilio Flynn- (Percussion),
Mike Lang- (Piano),
Betty Allen- (Choir, Chorus),
William Cole- (Choir, Chorus),
Marie Vernon- (Choir, Chorus),
Sara Jane Tallman- (Choir, Chorus),
Loulie Jean Norman- (Choir, Chorus),
Evangeline Carmichael- (Choir, Chorus),
Vern Rowe- (Choir, Chorus),
Marilyn Powell- (Choir, Chorus).
**
A1 Kyrie  
A2 Interludium  
A3 Gloria  
A4 Credo  
B1 Sanctus  
B2 Prayer  
B3 Offertory  
B4 Agnus Dei
**

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Lee MORGAN & Thad JONES - Minor Strain 1960

Lee MORGAN & Thad JONES - Minor Strain 1960
1990 Issue

Jazz

Lee Morgan shares this CD reissue with fellow trumpeter Thad Jones. Morgan's three selections feature a quintet with tenor-saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Jimmy Roser and drummer Art Taylor. While that hard bop group democratically performs one original apiece from Morgan, Timmons and Shorter, Thad Jones's date has four of his songs plus a previously unissued alternate take of "Subtle Rebuttal"; best-known is "Tip Toe" which was later recorded by The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Jones's septet is filled with Count Basie sidemen (trombonist Al Grey and tenors Billy Mitchell and Frank Wess) along with a fine rhythm section (pianist Hank Jones, bassist Richard Davis and drummer Osie Johnson) and is more swing-oriented than The Morgan group, but the two sets are equally rewarding.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
**
Jimmy Rowser- Bass
Frank Wess- Flute, Sax (Tenor)
Osie Johnson- Drums
Richard Davis- Bass
Al Grey- Trombone
Hank Jones- Piano
Thad Jones- Trumpet
Billy Mitchell- Sax (Tenor)
Lee MorganTrumpet
Wayne Shorter- Sax (Tenor)
Art Taylor- Drums
Bobby Timmons- Piano
**
01. Suspended Sentence 5:22
02. Minor Strain 6:23
03. A Bid For Sid 4:28
04. Subtle Rebuttal (alt take) 3:56
05. Subtle Rebuttal 4:02
06. Tip Toe 3:35
07. H and T Blues 9:56
08. Friday The 13th 6:55
**

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Tito PUENTE and Woody HERMAN - Latin Flight 1958

Tito PUENTE and Woody HERMAN - Latin Flight 1958
1993 Issue

Jazz

Woody played clarinet and alto sax and was the leader. His 1958 "Herman's Herd" averaged 16-18 members. These selections were all recorded between Aug. lst and Dec. 26th of that year. I think I owned this on vinyl in '59 under the title "Tito Meets Woody" and I think it was on the Everest label. This CD reissue is a great deal of fun. In addition to Puente's Latin percussion and Herman's horn, Nat Adderly does some trumpeting, Charlie Byrd plays guitar a little, and Bob Brookmeyer can be heard on trombone. The other band members have less public recognition, but hey, nobody plays badly for a Herman band. The "Herd" could easily have been doing these tunes in the early 40's, in the glory days of big bands instead of the waning years. Tito brought the 50's fad of Cuban-style drumming into the mix, and the result is a total victory. You can probably get this at a good price used here in 2003, and if you like swing, jazz, percussion or big groups, this is for you. Not only does it make you feel like dancing, these sounds can lure you into thinking you actually can dance well.
This is 41 minutes of joy.
By  William E. Adams.
**
Tito Puente and Woody Herman teamed in 1958 for a mutually satisfying meeting in the same way that Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Machito found common ground in the late '40s. Puente's Latin rhythms and beats meshed with the swing and bebop of Herman's band on half of the disc's cuts, and the results were hot and delightful. With Puente heading the rhythm section and playing timbales, Robert Rodriguez on bass, and assorted percussion from Gilbert Lopez, Raymond Rodriquez, and Ray Barretto, the band stays locked into the Latin groove while the saxophonists and trumpeters weave in, out, and around the beat. There are also more conventional Herman swing numbers such as "Blue Station" and "Woodchopper's Ball," where the standard Herman stomping sound is in effect.
By Ron Wynn, All Music Guide.
**
Tito Puente- Percussion, Timbales
Woody Herman- Clarinet
Sam Marowitz- Reeds
Pete Mondello- Reeds
Danny Bank- Reeds
Paul Quinichette- Reeds, Tenor Sax
Al Cohn- Reeds, Tenor Sax
Joe Romano- Tenor Sax
Jay Migliori- Tenor Sax
Marty Flax- Tenor Sax
Al Belletto- Baritone Sax
Bobby Clark- Trumpet
Irwin Marky Markowitz- Trumpet
Hal Posey- Trumpet
Steve Lipkins- Trumpet
Danny Stiles- Trumpet
Willie Thomas- Trumpet
Ernie Royal- Trumpet
Nick Travis- Trumpet
Al Forte- Trumpet
Jimmy Guinn- Trombone
Frank Rehak- Trombone
Roger DeLillo- Trombone
Willie Dennis- Trombone
Bill Elton- Trombone
Billy Byers- Trombone
Al Planck- Piano
Major Holley- Bass
Robert Rodriguez- Bass
Ray Barretto- Conga
Gilbert Lopez- Percussion
Ray Rodriguez- Percussion
Jimmy Campbell- Drums
**
01. Latin Flight 2:02
02. New Cha-Cha 3:03
03. Mambo Herd 2:39
04. Tito Meets Woody 2.39
05. Cha-Cha Chick 3:02
06. Blue Gardenia 3:10
07. Prelude a la Cha Cha 4:05
08. It's Coolin' Time 4:19
09. Black Orchid 2:33
10. Original No. 2 3:09
11. Sinbad the Sailor 4:02
12. Mambo Bambo 3:19
13. Fire Island 3:16
**

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