Blues Up · Piano Solo
  • ABC Paramount LP 104
    ABC Paramount LP 104
  • Realm B923
    Realm B923
  • Dave McKenna
    Dave McKenna

Dave McKenna

Blues Up · Piano Solo

Fresh Sound Records

Personnel:
Dave McKenna (piano solo)

Reference: FSRCD 463

Bar code: 8427328604635

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Dave McKenna made a remarkably piano solo debut in 1955 with the fifteen tunes he recorded for ABC Paramount. The remaining tracks on this compilation also come from a solo album, one he cut almost eight years later for the Realm label. Playing without a rhythm section, a key challenge for a jazz pianist, McKenna accomplished a recital of lasting value and pleasure. He plays with strength, individuality, fine beat and technique, and constant taste in all tempos. He is a wonderfully co-ordinated two-handed pianist.



01. Why Was I Born? (Kern-Hammerstein II) 2:16
02. Some Gets In Your Eyes (Kern-Harbach) 3:15
03. Blues Up (Dave McKenna) 2:26
04. Walking By The River (Sour-Carlisle) 3:03
05. S'posin' (Denniker-Razaf) 2:43
06. If I Had My Way (James-Klein) 3:44
07. 'S Wonderful (G. & I. Gershwin) 2:50
08. My Shining Hour (Arlen-Mercer) 3:07
09. 'Deed I Do (Rose-Hirsh) 2:26
10. Like Someone In Love (Burke-Van Heusen) 3:47
11. Let's Get Away From It All (Dennis-Adair) 2:13
12. I'm Glad I Waited For You (Styne-Cahn) 2:03
13. For All We Know (Coots-Lewis) 2:43
14. Warm Valley (Duke Ellington) 2:45
15. Limehouse Blues (Furber-Braham) 2:02
16. Sleepy Waltz (Dave McKenna) 2:48
17. Dream (Johnny Mercer) 3:17
18. Lullaby Of The Leaves (Petkere-Young) 2:48
19. Lullaby (Dave McKenna) 2:38
20. Close Your Eyes (Bernice Petkere) 1:48
21. Brahm's Lullaby (Johannes Brahms) 1:53
22. Deep Night (Vallee-Henderson) 3:05
23. Deep In A Dream (Van Heusen-DeLange) 3:57
24. Lullaby In Blue (Dave McKenna) 2:36
25. Japanese Sandman (Egan-Whiting) 2:29
26. Lullaby In Rhythm (Goodman-Sampson) 2:40
27. Sleep (Eddie Lebieg) 1:38

Album details

Sources:
Tracks #1-15, from the album "Dave McKenna Solo Piano" (ABC-104)
Tracks #16-27, from the album "Lullabies in Jazz" (Realm B923)

Dave McKenna, piano.
Recorded in New York City, October 31, 1955 (#1-15), and 1963 (#16-27)

Original liner notes: Creed Taylor (ABC), Jackson Leighter (Realm)
ABC cover photo: Burt Goldblatt
Original ABC session produced by Creed Taylor
This compilation produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol

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

Press reviews

"In case you haven't heard, Dave McKenna is one of the most remarkable jazz pianists in the history of the music, further evidenced by this wonderful solo recording, taken from the original 1955 ABC-Paramount LP Solo Piano and the 1963 Realm release Lullabies in Jazz. McKenna's expertise in mixing the stride style into any jazz standard cannot be more fully demonstrated. The first 15 tracks are from the 1955 date, where his ability to swing and stretch out would be hard for anyone to match, much less exceed. There's only one original, the jazz-blues-bop jam "Blues Up." McKenna waxes serene on three selections, is atypically delicate during "My Shining Hour," and mixes patient to animated tempos for "Limehouse Blues." On the rest, he plays consistent rhythms, especially effective on the bouncy "S'posin'," the dramatic intro before digging in for "'S Wonderful," and the uppity "Let's Get Away from It All." McKenna's consistency in playing deft, accurate melodies and effortless stride is evident with every note and phrase. The remaining tracks are indeed lullabies and are lower key, ranging from the childlike "Brahms' Lullaby" to the darker "Deep Night," the somnambulant "Deep in a Dream," and the cute "Japanese Sandman." The anomalies are the bright, not at all weary original of McKenna's "Sleepy Waltz" and the jaunty back-and-forth finale, "Sleep." While Lullabies is thematic and stylized, it is far from reticent or boring. This is truly a beautiful document of a master at work, and is highly recommended, whether you are a staunch fan of McKenna or hopefully a new convert."

Michael G. Nastos -All Music Guide

Price:

9,95 €  (tax incl.)

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