A trio of early RCA albums from vibes genius
Gary Burton – all brought together in a single set! First up is New Vibe Man In Town – the first-ever album from vibist
Gary Burton – a very young player at the time of recording, but one who's definitely worth the "new vibe man" promised in the title! The style here is maybe a bit more conventionally swinging than some of
Burton's records from later years – a trio setting with Gene Cherico on bass and the great Joe Morello on drums – but both rhythm players are already pretty hip with their timings, and really push
Burton into spacious, chromatic territory that's completely sublime – a sound that already marks the musician as really bringing something fresh to his instrument. Titles include "Joy Spring", "Over The Rainbow", "Like Someone In Love", "Minor Blues", "Out Waltz", "So Many Things", "Sir John", and "You Stepped Out Of A Dream". Next is Who Is
Gary Burton – a gem of an album from the young
Gary Burton – his second date for RCA, and a perfectly-pitched session that's got plenty of modern edges, but none of the too-experimental modes that sometimes bogged
Gary down in later years! The date's especially noteworthy for the presence of two great horn players – Clark Terry on trumpet and Phil Woods on alto – both of whom flesh out
Burton's lyrical approach to vibes with some deeply soulful solos of their own – opening up the record with a range of sounds that's simply breathtaking, and which represents some of the freshest work from both players in the early 60s. The rest of the group features Tommy Flanagan on piano, John Neves on bass, and Joe Morello on drums – and titles include "Storm", "I've Just Seen Her", "Fly Time Fly", "Conception", "Get Away Blues", and "One Note".
Gary Burton In Concert features groundbreaking work on vibes by
Gary Burton – recorded in a setting that's live and open, yet quite groovy too! There's a rhythmic freeness that marks the set from the very first note – lessons learned from the generation of Ornette, yet taken in new direction – and definitely into new colors and tones – thanks to
Burton's amazingly chromatic vibes, and the vivid guitar of Larry Coryell – not to mention the unusual rhythms from Steve Swallow on bass and Bob Moses on drums. These youthful players push the envelope even more than on some of
Burton's other RCA albums of the time – going for a groove that's much more open and abstract, and which puts Coryell's guitar in a role that's as important as
Burton's vibes in the set. Titles include "Wrong Is Right", "Walter L", "Lines", "The Sunset Bell", and "Blue Comedy".