Sings with Benny Goodman
Artist: Peggy Lee
Solo Flight
Artist: Bucky Pizzarelli

For this set of unaccompanied seven-string guitar solos, Bucky Pizzarelli decided to focus on superior standards that he considered underplayed. It does seem ironic in hindsight that he included Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight," which after Monk's death in the 1980s was covered practically as much as a major pop tune. Most of the other songs... Read More

The Ugly One with the Jewels and Other Stories
Artist: Laurie Anderson

On her later albums, Laurie Anderson had moved from her earlier spoken word-plus-effects style to a more overtly musical approach, with less effective results. The Ugly One With the Jewels, a recording of a live performance of readings from her book Stories From the Nerve Bible, returned her to speaking instead of singing, and it was her best... Read More

Piano Jazz: McPartland/Wilson - 1985
Artist: Marian McPartland
Community Score: 9.00

The date listed for this addition of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz show is an estimate since the first few releases put out on the Jazz Alliance series unfortunately left out that detail. Dave Brubeck and Marian McPartland have known each other since the early '50s and their mutual respect and love is felt in their conversation and... Read More

Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio
Artist: Claude Bolling

Lots of composers fall head over heels for the cello, and Bolling's suite for classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma indicates that he finds this instrument a particularly noble, expressive vehicle for his classical/jazz musings. The distinctive Bolling formula still has plenty of mileage here, this time with a more expansive lyrical bent and no cutesy... Read More

Down Home
Artist: Dardanelle

Billed as a carnival of song to celebrate Dardanelle's Mississippi roots, Down Home is a reissue of a 1985 album with five tracks added. Born Dardanelle Mullen, this chanteuse had been hawking her singing wares for more than 40 years when this album was made. And this session reveals she hasn't missed a beat during all this time. Backed... Read More

A First
Artist: Ruby Braff

Although it is implied with its title that this was the first collaboration between cornetist Ruby Braff and tenor-saxophonist Scott Hamilton, they had recorded a date back in December 1983 for the Swedish Phontastic label. Accompanied by Hamilton's regular quartet of the period (pianist John Bunch, guitarist Chris Flory, bassist Phil Flanigan... Read More

Easy Going
Artist: Warren Vache Sextette

On this well-rounded set, cornetist Warren Vache is featured in a sextet also including trombonist Dan Barrett (who blends very well with Vache), guitarist Howard Alden, the unknown pianist John Harkins, bassist Jack Lesberg and drummer Chuck Riggs. The arrangements really uplift the music and the repertoire has many unusual items including... Read More

Garden of the Blues
Artist: Shirley Horn
Stockholm Sweetnin'
Artist: Rolf Ericson

Trumpeter Rolf Ericson was 62 when he made this recording (only his second as a leader in 13 years and third in 28 years), but he was still in his prime. Teamed up with drummer Mel Lewis and three fellow Swedes (tenor saxophonist Nils Sandstrom, pianist Goran Lindberg, and bassist Sture Nordin), Ericson's cool bop style is well featured on five... Read More

A Sailboat in the Moonlight
Artist: Ruby Braff

Taken from the same sessions as A First, this collaboration between veteran cornetist Ruby Braff and the relatively young tenor great Scott Hamilton lives up to its potential. With strong assistance from pianist John Bunch, guitarist Chris Flory, bassist Phil Flanigan and drummer Chuck Riggs, Braff and Hamilton are a perfect team on such joyful... Read More

Fight Dirty/Good Morning America
Artist: Charlie

This double disc from Charlie, who sounds like a cross between Toto and America, includes both the Fight Dirty and Good Morning America albums and is a fair depiction of their AOR style. The high harmony vocals of Terry Thomas set up the backdrop of saxophone and piano, accompanied by simple melodies set adrift on three-minute rock songs. While... Read More