JACK WILSON — Song for my Daughter (1968-2014) RM | SHM-CD | Blue Note, Masterworks Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On Song for My Daughter, his third record for Blue Note, Jack Wilson "changed with the times," to paraphrase one of the record's songs. Like many of his peers on the label, Wilson pursued a pop direction as the '60s drew to a close, which meant he covered pop hits like "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" and "Stormy," and that he recorded the album with a large band augmented by a string section. It is a testament to Wilson's strengths as a pianist that he doesn't get lost in this heavy-handed setting and manages to contribute some typically graceful moments, including the lovely title song. Nevertheless, the song selection is a little uneven, and there isn't much room for the band to improvise, which makes the album of marginal interest to serious jazz listeners. Audience that aren't quite so concerned such matters will find this an engaging pop-jazz album. Although the production has dated somewhat, it remains a pleasant artifact of its time, and fans of that sound should search for it. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
1    Imagine 4:24
Written-By – Francis Lai, Sammy Cahn
2    Herman's Helmet 4:33
Written-By – Jack Wilson
3    Changing With The Times 3:02
Written-By – George Shearing
4    Night Creature 3:55
Written-By – Duke Ellington
5    Scarborough Fair / Canticle (From The Motion Picture "The Graduate") 5:09
Written-By – Paul Simon - Art Garfunkel
6    Song For My Daughter 3:02
Written-By – Jack Wilson
7    Eighty-One 6:26
Written-By – Ron Carter
8    Se Todas Fossem Iguais A Voce 2:19
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius DeMoraes
9    Stormy 5:29
Written-By – Buddy Buie, James Barney Cobb Jr.
10    Soft Summer Rain 5:56
Written-By – David N. Baker
Credits:
Bass – Andy Simpkins (tracks: 2, 4, 7), Ike Issacs (tracks: 5, 9), Ray Brown (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 10)
Cello – Jesse Ehrlich (tracks: 6, 9), Kurt Reher (tracks: 6, 9)
Conductor, Arranged By [Strings] – Billy Byers (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 9)
Drums – Donald Bailey (tracks: 5, 9, 10), Jimmie Smith (tracks: 2, 4, 7), Varney Barlow (tracks: 1, 3, 8)
Guitar – Howard Roberts (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 10), John Gray (tracks: 1, 3, 8)
Piano – Jack Wilson
Shaker – Stan Levey (tracks: 1, 8)
Timpani [Tympani] – Victor Feldman (tracks: 4)
Vibraphone – Stan Levey (tracks: 3), Victor Feldman (tracks: 2)
Vibraphone [Vibraharp] – Tommy Vig (tracks: 10)
Viola – Dave Burk (tracks: 6, 9), Myer Bellow (tracks: 6, 9)
Violin – Betty Marks (tracks: 6, 9), Israel Baker (tracks: 6, 9)