Lee Wiley & Ellis Larkins —
Duologue ... LP
Storyville,
1954. Very Good- ....
$28.99
A beautiful little concept for a beautiful little album – a "duologue" in which Lee Wiley sings one track, then Ellis Larkins plays the next, and so on – making for a split LP, but one with a lot of variety along the way! Wiley sings on about two thirds of the tracks on the... read more
(Original pressing. Vinyl has a mark that clicks on two tracks. Cover is pretty nice.)
One of Joe Williams' standout classics from the 50s – just the sort of record that put him on top of his game at the time! The album's one of Joe's classic outings with Count Basie – one recorded for Roulette with a slightly looser, slightly rawer feel than their work together on Verve.... read more
(Heavy multi-color bar label with deep groove. Cover has light wear, splitting on the top and bottom seams, and a small piece of tape.)
Joe Williams was really reviving his career as a vocalist at this point – working with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band on a few well-selling records, and on this smoother set with arrangements by Horace Ott. The overall feel is kind of in a swinging Grady Tate mode, with jazziness... read more
(Liberty/UA pressing. Spine has a spot of tape & a small rip. Top & bottom seams have masking tape.)
An obscure post-A&M album from Paul Williams – recorded in Nashville with a bit of country-styled instrumentation – yet still undeniably in the best Williams mode of the 70s! There's a bit more confidence here than usual – nothing too dramatic, just a little more punch in... read more
(White label promo. Cover has a tracklist sticker on back.)
A real sweet soul gem from Nancy! The record has her working with arrangements and production by Gene and Billy Page – who give the record a great smooth 70s soul finish, and a feel that's a lot more unified than some of her other efforts from the decade. Nancy sings some great versions of... read more
Not only a great follow-up to the first Echoes Of An Era session, but also a standout 80s performance from Nancy Wilson – quite possibly her best of the decade! The setting is nice and laidback – a live date with a core combo that features Joe Henderson on tenor, Chick Corea on piano,... read more
(Cover has light wear and a few stains.)
Kai Winding —
Rainy Day ... LP
Verve,
1965. Very Good ....
$2.99
A very different album than usual for trombonist Kai Winding – one that has him blowing along with some great backing vocals! The set's got an incredibly groovy feel – hardly what you'd expect, given Winding's bop roots – but a real gem overall in the best sweet 60s Verve mode! ... read more
Arguably one of the greatest albums ever cut by Jimmy Witherspoon – recorded live at an early Monterey Jazz Festival, and done in a style that shows the strong link between jazz and blues in Jimmy's work! The group on the set includes Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, and Woody... read more