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.)
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
(Label has some wrinkling and a bit of peeling.)
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
A nice batch of pop soul on Liberty from Timi Yuro – an underappreciated vocalist who walked that fine line between uptown soul and pop vocals! Like so many Liberty recordings of the era, the arrangements are big and polished, courtesty of Bert Keyes. The backing vocals are just as sparking... read more
(Cover has some light edge wear. Label has some pen and marker.)
Timi Yuro —
What's A Matter Baby ... LP