SONNY CRISS - Mr Blues Pour Flirter (1963-2000) Jazz In Paris 23 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Sonny Criss was relatively inactive as a leader in the first half of the 1960s, though he did produce outstanding music during two trips to Paris. The latter visit in 1963 resulted in these studio sessions, originally released by Brunswick and reissued in complete form (with three unreleased tracks) by Polydor, before reverting to the initial version on this Verve CD reissue. Powered by some of France's finest musicians, including guitarist Rene Thomas, bassist Pierre Michelot, drummer Philippe Combelle and pianist Georges Arvanitas, the hard bop alto saxophonist mixes it up with a set which contains classic jazz compositions, standards and an original. Arvanitas switches to organ for a peppy take of "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and Criss' two part blues "Early and Later." But the leader's best solo comes during the smoking interpretation of "On Green Dolphin Street." Arvanitas' introductory vamp to the softly played "God Bless the Child" hints at "One for My Baby (and One for the Road)" before Criss makes his entrance. Highly recommended! by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1     Don't Get Around Much Anymore 6:16
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
2     This Can't Be Love 3:29
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
3     Early and Later, Pt. 1 4:20
Sonny Criss
4     Early and Later, Pt. 2 4:36
Sonny Criss
5     Once in a While 3:41
Michael Edwards / Bud Green
6     St. Louis Blues 5:01
W.C. Handy
7     Day Dream 4:42
Duke Ellington / John Latouche / Billy Strayhorn
8     On Green Dolphin Street 3:28
Ned Washington
9     God Bless the Child 6:07
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Sonny Criss
Double Bass – Pierre Michelot
Drums – Philippe Combelle
Guitar – René Thomas
Organ – Georges Arvanitas (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 6)
Piano – Georges Arvanitas (faixas: 2, 5, 7 to 9)
Nota :
Recorded 1963 in Paris on April 22 (5, 6, 7), April 23 (1, 3, 4) and April 25 (2, 8, 9).
Reissue of the Brunswick LP 87 519.