Frank Strazzeri
Don Menza

Ballads

Fresh Sound 5000 Series

Personnel:
Don Menza (ts), Frank Strazzeri (p)

Reference: FSRCD 5062

Bar code: 8427328650625

Info
Tracklist
Album details
Press

Lester Young believed that every jazz player should know the lyrics of the song he plays. Listening to this collection of ballads, it is quite evident that Don Menza is one of those players. This lyrical tradition is reflected in Don’s sense of line, although, he says, he also hears in this album elements of all the saxophonists he has admired, including Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, and particularly Gene Ammons. “And of course,” he said with a smile, “I hear a lot of myself.”

A similar lyrical sense infuses Frank Strazzeri’s playing. And the tradition is particularly conspicuous in his exquisite tone. Few pianists have anything like the warm and sensitive touch Strazzeri has. Singers all know the joy of working with only a superbly sensitive pianist for accompaniment. After hearing this album of beautiful ballads, I have only to say: It’s superb —warm and soft and gentle and moving. It sings.

—Gene Lees, 1987 (Lyricist and writer)

Tracklist

Sample this album

01.

Penthouse Serenade (Val Burton, Will Jason) 4:49

02.

My Foolish Heart (Ned Washington, Vicotr Young) 4:26

03.

You’re My Thrill (Jay Gorney, Sidney Clare) 4:17

04.

Over the Rainbow (Yip Harburg, Harold Arlen) 5:01

05.

Darn That Dream (Eddie DeLange, Jimmy van Heusen) 4:43

06.

Soultrane (Tadd Dameron) 4:26

07.

More than You Know (Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu, Vincent Youmans) 5:25

08.

It's You or No One (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) 4:15

09.

Guess I'll Hang My Tears out to Dry (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) 5:00

10.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Otto Harbach, Jerome Kern) 4:14

11.

What's New (Johnny Burke, Bob Haggart) 4:17

12.

Blues in the Dark (Frank Strazzeri, Don Menza) 3:50

Total time: 54:43 min.

01. Penthouse Serenade (Burton-Jason) 4:49
02. My Foolish Heart (Washington-Young) 4:26
03. You’re My Thrill (Gorney-Clare) 4:17
04. Over the Rainbow (Harburg-Arlen) 5:01
05. Darn That Dream (DeLange-Van Heusen) 4:43
06. Soultrane (Tadd Dameron) 4:26
07. More than You Know (Rose-Eliscu-Youmans) 5:25
08. It's You or No One (Styne-Cahn) 4:15
09. Guess I'll Hang My Tears out to Dry (Styne-Cahn) 5:00
10. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Harbach-Kern) 4:14
11. What's New (Burke-Haggart) 4:17
12. Blues in the Dark (Strazzeri-Menza) 3:50

Album details

Originally issued on LP as FSR-103

Don Menza (tenor sax), Frank Strazzeri (piano).
Recorded at Perpinya Studio, Barcelona, March 29, 1987

Sound Engineer: Jordi Vidal
Mastered for CD by Pieter De Wagter
Design: Rafael Ros
Photos by Lluís Salom

Produced by Jordi Pujol
© 1987 & © 2020 by Fresh Sound Records

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