Ron
Jefferson: Love Lifted Me
LP: Pacific Jazz ST 36
CD: Toshiba-EMI PJ0036 (Japan only)
Tracks & Composers
1 Love Lifted Me (Traditional)
2 For Carl Perkins (Vinnegar)
3 Little One (Jefferson)
4 Ivy League Blues (Newborn)
5 Flamingo (Anderson, Grouya)
6 George's Dilemma (R. Powell)
Personnel
Ron Jefferson (d); Laurence "Tricky" Lofton (tb); Wilbur Brown (ts); Bobby Hutcherson
(vib); Frank Strazzeri (p); Leroy Vinnegar (b)
Recording Date & Location
Date of recording unknown (released 1962), Hollywood, CA
Commentary
Drummer Ron Jefferson is probably most well-known for his stint
in Les McCann's group. This is his debut album as a leader. It features
an interesting mix of compositions, from the gospel-flavored title track
to the classic "Flamingo" (featuring some wonderful work by Bobby) to
uptempo swingers like "Little One" and "George's Dilemma." I should also
make a special note of Leroy Vinnegar's contribution to the date. Both
his time-keeping and his soloing will make you sit up and take notice,
and his composition "For Carl Perkins" is sinuous and compelling.
I like this album. It's rare, but it's worth tracking down. (Apparently,
Love Lifted Me has been reissued in Japan, although I couldn't
find a copy. I got my LP on ebay.) On this album, Hutcherson's work seems
even more assured than on the his previous outing as a sideman, Groovin'
Blue. Plus, the rest of the band sounds really good too.
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