LESTER YOUNG MEMORIAL
ALBUM
EPIC 501653
2XCD's
Crotchet
CD1
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Shoe Shine Boy
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Evenin'
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Boogie Woogie
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Lady Be good
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Dickie's dream
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Lester Leaps in
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Lester Leaps In (Alternative Take)
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China Boy
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Exactly Like You
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On the Sunny Side of the Street
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Upright Organ Blues
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Who?
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Jazz Me Blues
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CD2
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Taxi War Dance
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12th Street Rag
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Pound Cake
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Song of the Islands
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Clap Hands, here Comes Charlie
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The Apple Jump
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Riff Interlude
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Ham 'N' Eggs
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Hollywood Jump
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I Never Knew
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Tickle-Toe
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Louisiana
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Easy Does It
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Let Me See
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Blow Top
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Broadway
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Lester Young was without a doubt one of the most influential Tenor Sax players
of all time, without him there would have been no Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, or
Al Cohn; all were strongly influenced by his playing. When he joined the
Basie Band however, there were many detractors and his playing did not get
immediate recognition. His lighter tone and unfamiliar style of improvisation
did not sit comfortable with those who were used to the heavier sound of
Coleman Hawkins and Hershel Evans. Basie who was made of sterner stuff realised
that Lester was the sound of the future.
EPIC have made the reviewers job very difficult with a sleeve note that doesn't
give recording dates or personnel or for that matter even the names of the
bands featured.
The only thing we know for sure is that Lester Young plays on all the tracks!
A few things are instantly recognised, vocals from Jimmy Rushing and some
solo spots with the Basie Band, but it would be a brave reviewer who attempted
to name all the musicians. I suspect Dickie Wells plays Trombone on some
of the tracks and that a whole host of other famous jazz names are included.
My guess is that all the tracks are pre-war, probably 1936 to 1940 vintage.
If that is so, it is interesting to note that his unique style was already
fully shaped before his period of fame with Jazz at the Philharmonic in the
late 40's and early 50's. Throughout the two CD's his contribution is instantly
recognisable, but the listener must take into account that many of these
tracks were not aimed at a specialist jazz audience, but at the "pop" market
of the day. The record does not mention re-mastering and I suspect, by some
of the audible surface noise, not too much has been done to them. None of
these problems however detract from the listening pleasure, Lester Young
has left a legacy of wonderful music. If the record company had worked as
well as Lester, this would have been an even better record.
Don Mather
Don Mather is a Saxophone Player and Bandleader in Coventry UK
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