CD 1
1. Limehouse Blues
2. I'm Confessin'
3. High Life
4. Jeep's Blues
5. Lady Be Good
6. Take Five
7. Everything Happens to Me
8. Barbados
9. Stuffy
CD2
1. Over the Rainbow
2. Now's the Time
3. Out of Nowhere
4. Take the A Train
5. Here's That Rainy Day
6. Struttin with Some Barbeque
7. Poor Butterfly
8. Exactly Like You
9. Jeepers Creepers
10. How High the Moon
11. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
CD3
1. In a Mellow Tone
2. Gubben och Kallingen
3. Nancy with the Laughing Face
4. Struttin' with Some
5. It Don't Mean a Thing
6. Mood Indigo
7. Jeep's Blues
8. High Life.
Arne Domnerus - Clarinet & Alto Sax
Bengt Hallberg - Piano
Lars Estrand - Vibes
Georg Riedel - Bass
Egil Johansen - Drums
These recordings were made in 1976, since
that time they have been release d in various
forms and have sold in huge numbers for jazz
records. As well as the Scandinavian market,
they have achieved large sales volumes in
Germany and Japan.
It is interesting to examine the reason for
their success. First of all there is the expertise
of recording engineer Gert Palmcratz, his
work on these sessions was a huge step forward
in sound recording techniques where jazz is
concerned. The recordings have a 'live' quality
which is not present in many others. Secondly,
this is real jazz, there were no rehearsals,
the musicians, who admittedly had played together
before, just got together and worked everything
out as they went along. Thirdly these are
all very fine musicians who understand what
jazz is all about and each has a very broad
experience.
There is another reason, by the 1970's the
so called avant guarde were closing jazz clubs
regularly, playing music that they may have
understood, but there customers didn't and
even if the customers did understand what
was going on, many voted against it with their
feet.
In these recordings you are hearing shades
of the Benny Goodman Quartet, shades of Charlie
Parker and many other influences pulling together
exhilarating jazz performances that have rarely
been bettered.
Arne Domnerus has long been a favourite of
mine, he is an extraordinary talented clarinet
and alto sax player, who could hold his own
with anyone in the world. Bengt Hallberg,
like wise a master of both the accompaniment
of soloists and also a superb keyboard improviser
on any theme. Vibes man Lars Estrand is only
heard on some of the tracks, but he is again
very stylish and melodic in his approach.
He complements the rest of the band very well.
The Marimba sound he employs on some of the
tracks was achieved by playing the vibes with
the cover on! This gem of information comes
from the informative DVD which is included
in this special 30th Anniversary, Jazz at
the Pawnshop package. The bass player and
drummer are also a joy to listen to, both
are sensitive to the needs of the soloists
and both can solo with some style.
If you haven't heard any of this excellent
work before, get this issue, if you have others
in the series get this one as well you will
not be disappointed.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
PROPRIUS PRSACD 7879
