This album is included in the following sets:
This set contains the following albums:
- Producer's Note
- Full Track Listing
- Cover Art
Wardell Grey - one of the forgotten greats of Jazz
New 32-bit XR-remastered transfers with utterly transformed sound quality
This album came about as one of those happy accidents - a Sunday afternoon leafing through a collection of old LPs donated to Pristine unearthed two volumes on the Esquire label, entitled "Wardell Gray Memorial", which together make up the selection of studio and live recordings presented here.
My initial aim was to rework the rather poor sound quality of the original recordings for my own pleasure, but the results far exceeded my expectations - hence the present issue. Gone is the primitive, almost telephonic sound of the originals - in its place a fuller, much brighter sound that really allows the performers to 'sing'.
Judicious use of Ambient Stereo and a convolution reverb which recreates the acoustic of the Birdland jazz club in New York also help contibute to a fabulously lively and spontaneous sound that really brings this long-forgotten saxophonist's great music back to life.
Andrew Rose
- Twisted (3:07)
- Easy Living (4:25)
- Southside (3:22)
-
Sweet Lorraine (4:09)
Recorded 11 November 1949
Al Haig piano
Tommy Potter bass
Roy Haynes drums
- Blue Gray (2:47)
- Grayhound (3:04)
- A Sinner Kissed an Angel (3:11)
-
Treadin' (3:51)
Recorded 25 April 1950
Phil Hill piano
Johnny Richardson bass
Art Madigan drums
- Move (9:46)
-
Scrapple from the Apple (9:03)
Recorded live at the Hula Hut, Sunset Strip, Los Angeles, California, 27 August 1950
Dexter Gordon tenor
Sonny Criss alto
Clark Terry trumpet
Jimmy Bunn piano
Billy Hadnott bass
Chuck Thompson drums
- April Skies (3:01)
- Bright Boy (2:46)
- Jackie (2:31)
- Farmer's Market (2:47)
- Sweet and Lovely (3:15)
-
Lover Man (2:22)
Recorded 21 January 1952
Art Farmer trumpet
Hampton Hawes piano
Harper Crosby bass
Larry Marable drums
Robert Collier conga
- So Long Broadway (3:09)
- Paul's Cause (2:54)
- The Man I Love (3:07)
-
Lavonne (2:52)
Recorded 20 February 1953
Teddy Charles vibes
Frank Morgan alto
Sonny Clark piano
Dick Nivison bass
Larry Marable drums
Wardell Gray tenor saxophone
Transfers from Esquire LPs 32-016 and 32-023
NB. There is at least one terrible edit in the live recordings - this is as presented on the original LP!