Verve V6-8452
  • Verve V6-8452
    Verve V6-8452
  • Roulette SR52119
    Roulette SR52119
  • Johnny Hodges
    Johnny Hodges
  • Billy Strayhorn
    Billy Strayhorn

Billy Strayhorn & Johnny Hodges

Juice A-Plenty (2 LP on 1 CD)

Fresh Sound Records

Personnel:
Billy Strayhorn (arr, cond), Johnny Hodges (as), Cat Anderson, 'Shorty' Baker, Clark Terry, Howard McGhee, Ed Mullens (tp), Ray Nance (cnt, vln), Lawrence Brown, Quentin Jackson, Chuck Connors (tb), Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney (reeds), Jimmy Jones (p), Aaron Bell (b), Sam Woodyard (d)

Reference: FSRCD 762

Bar code: 8427328607629

 THIS PRODUCT IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE U.S. 

Both albums collected here are delightful reminders not only of Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellingtons alter ego as composer and pianist, but also of one of the most beautiful jazz instrumental voices ever the alto saxophone of Johnny Hodges.

The Duke doesn't appear on either album, but these big band settings are the Ellington orchestra in all but name. On 1961s Johnny Hodges, Soloist. Billy Strayhorn and The Orchestra, with Strayhorn conducting and Jimmy Jones at the piano, Hodges is the main soloist and in his hands the familiar repertoire emerges timeless and fresh. A great blues player, he shines on Jeeps Blues, Juice A-Plenty and Tailor Made, and he and the band stamp their nonpareil identity on the otherworldly voiced Azure and Day Dream. Trombonist Lawrence Brown, whose impeccable control and individuality matched Hodges, has several solo spots and a fine feature on Stardust.

From 1958, Billy Strayhorn!!! Live!!! is a laid-back, let-your-hair-down affair with Strayhorn at the piano and the band swinging exultantly. Hodges surfs it like a master, notably on In a Mellow Tone, a robust Jeeps Blues, and swings immaculately on All of Me and On the Sunny Side of the Street. Also featured inimitably are Ray Nance, Shorty Baker and Harry Carney and the equally unique sound of the Ellington band in full cry.

—Ray Comiskey



01. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Ellington-Hodges) 2:58
02. I've Got It Bad and That Ain't Good (Ellington-Webster) 3:34
03. Gal From Joes (Duke Ellington) 2:25
04. Your Love Has Faded (Ellington-Strayhorn) 2:57
05. I'm Just a Lucky So and So (Ellington-David) 3:20
06. Jeep's Blues (Ellington-Hodges) 3:17
07. Day Dream (Ellington-Strayhorn) 3:54
08. Juice A-Plenty (Johnny Hodges) 3:17
09. Azure (Duke Ellington) 2:32
10. Tailor Made (Hodges-Mullens) 3:34
12. Thing's Ain't What They Used to Be (Persons-Mercer-Ellington) 2:47
13. Jeep's Blues (Ellington-Hodges) 3:47
14. Mr. Gentle & Mr. Cool (Ellington-Rembert) 7:00
15. In a Mellow Tone (Duke Ellington) 2:34
16. All of Me (Marks-Simons) 2:28
17. Sophisticated Lady (Ellington-Parish-Mills) 3:30
18. Passion Flower (Billy Strayhorn) 4:59
19. On the Sunny Side of the Street (McHugh-Fields) 4:00

Album details

Sources:
Tracks #1-11, from the album "Johnny Hodges, Soloist. Billy Strayhorn and Orchestra" (Verve V6-8452)
Tracks #12-19, from the album "Billy Strayhorn!!! Live !!!" (Roulette SR52119)

Personnel on "Johnny Hodges, Soloist. Billy Strayhorn & Orchestra":
Harold' Shorty' Baker, Cat Anderson, Bill Berry, Ed Mullens, Howard McGhee (on #5,9 & 10), trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Quentin Jackson, Chuck Connors, trombone Russell Procope, clarinet, alto sax; Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet, tenor sax; Johnny Hodges, alto sax; Paul Gonsalves, tenor sax; Harry Carney, baritone sax, bass clarinet Jimmy Jones, piano; Aaron Bell, bass; Sam Woodyard, drums. Billy Strayhorn, arranger, conductor.
Recorded in New York City, December 11 & 12 (#4,5,7,8 & 10), 1961

Personnel on "Billy Strayhorn!!! Live !!!"
Harold Shorty Baker, Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, trumpet; Ray Nance, cornet, violin Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope, alto sax; Paul Gonsalves, tenor sax Harry Carney, baritone sax; Billy Strayhorn, piano; Jimmy Woode, bass; Sam Woodyard, drums.
Recorded in Chicago, 1958

Photography: Charles Stewart (Verve) and Ely Besalel (Roulette)

Original recordings produced by Creed Taylor (Verve) and Teddy Reig (Roulette)
This compilation produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
© 2013 by Fresh Sound Records

Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
Blue Moon Producciones Discograficas, S.L.

Press reviews

"One of the most symbiotic relationships in jazz was the collaboration between Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. You really cannot honestly discern where one composer/arranger begins and the other takes over on any composition from the 1940s on. Here, weve got Strays leading an orchestra in a studio recording and a medium sized band on a 1961 and 58 pair of albums, respectively. The studio sessions have the vintage reed section of Hodges with Paul Gonsalves, Hary Carney, Jimmy Hamilton and Russell Procope, and Hodges is featured as only he deserves. He gloriously shines on Dont Get Around and Jeeps Blues making you wonder why anyone would NOT want to sound like him. The Chicago concert has a stunning take of Passion Flower as well as the rarely heard Mr. Gentle and Mr. Cool. Cat Anderson has some moments on the trumpet where he punches a few holes in the ozone layers as well. These guys lived, breathed and drank Ellington, and we should be grateful that people are as dedicated to art as these men were. Inspiring!"

—George W. Harris (April 29, 2013)
www.jazzweekly.com
________________________________________________________________________________________

Johnny Hodges Soloist:

"Alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges recorded frequently for Verve in the 1950s and 1960s, although nearly all of the musicians on this CD are from the Ellington orchestra and the arrangements are by Billy Strayhorn. Hodges is never less than superb throughout this reissue, while Lawrence Brown, Harry Carney and non-Ellingtonians Howard McGhee on trumpet and pianist Jimmy Jones also deserve praise. Strayhorn's exotic chart of "Azure" and emotional scoring of "Your Love Has Faded" are especially striking. Recommended."

—Ken Dryden (All Music Guide)

Price:

9,95 €  (tax incl.)

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