1.
Angel
Eyes
2. Misty
3. Lorelei’s Lament
4. Please Send Me Someone to Love
5. The Peeper
6. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
7. Stardust
8. Two Years of Torture
9. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
10. Groovin’
11. Read’Em and Weep
12. Whispering Grass
Hank
Crawford began his musical career in the Ray
Charles Band in 1958; he eventually became
its Musical Director and stayed with the band
until 1963. His solo recording career started
three years earlier in 1960, however, and
he recorded no fewer than twelve albums for
the Atlantic label.
He
has an excellent sound on alto sax and he
is happy in all playing situations and types
of music, as this composite album amply demonstrates.
His playing is rooted in the blues and this
is the reason for the excellent jazz feel
he gives to all the tracks.
Hank
started out on baritone with the Ray Charles
Band: that was probably the only chair available
at the time! He is also a highly skilled arranger,
which he put to good use in the Charles band.
His playing bridges R & B, funk and the
straight-ahead jazz that characterised his
more recent offerings. David Sanborn lists
Hank as one of his major influences.
If
you are not familiar with his playing, this
CD is a good “Introduction to Hank Crawford”.
It contains an absolutely beautiful version
of Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust, backed
by the Marty Paich Orchestra; it’s worth the
money for this track alone.
Don
Mather
CD Reviews
Rhino
8122 79939 3
