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TEDDY WILSON Vol.2 Blues in C Sharp Minor NAXOS JAZZ LEGENDS 8.120665

 

1. Sweet Lorraine
2. Body & soul
3. Life Begins When Your In Love
4. (If I Had) Rhythm In My Nursery Rhymes
5. My Melancholy Baby
6. Blues in C Sharp Minor
7. Mary Had a Little Lamb
8. Too Good to Be True
9. Warmin’ Up
10. Why Do I Lie to Myself About You
11. Guess Who
12. He Ain’t Got Rhythm
13. I’ll See You in My Dreams
14. Carelessly
15. I’ll Never Be the Same
16. Where or When
17. Coquette
18. The Hour of Parting
19. Just a Mood (Blue Mood)
20. I’ve Found a New Baby.

Teddy Wilson was a technically elegant pianist, famous for the accuracy of his chord statement and blessed with a unique and identifiable style. He was more suited to the role of sideman than leader although he did have brief periods in that role. He first became really famous with the original Benny Goodman Trio and stayed with the Clarinettist/Leader through his other small groups and the famous 1938 big band. He was also in big demand as an accompanist for vocalists; there are tracks by Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald on this CD. It was another role in which kept Teddy Wilson in great demand.

Whilst the majority of these tracks apart from 2 & 16 (Benny Goodman), were recorded under Teddy Wilson’s name, many were probably studio bands put together to record particular numbers. This approach however means that we get an amazing number of jazz heavyweights on one album and all supported by an all star rhythm section. Drummers’ Cozy Cole, Gene Krupa, Sid Catlett and Joe Jones appear on different tracks and the front lines are also full of well-known names. Trumpeters Roy Eldridge, Jonah Jones, Buck Clayton, Cootie Williams and Harry James are all included, as are saxists Ben Webster, Chu Berry, Lester Young, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney and Vido Musso.

As you would expect from Teddy Wilson, the playing is immaculate throughout, it is nice to hear the Billie Holliday vocals again as well and all the soloists turn in fine performances. I found this album to be full of pleasant surprises, as I had not heard most of the instrumental tracks, the ever-changing soloists gave plenty of variety and as usual Naxos had cleaned the sound to very acceptable levels. The well written sleeve notes and the accurate personnel details were also much appreciated.

Don Mather

 

 

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