CLARK TERRY - Mumbles (1966) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Clark Terry launched his "Mumbles" routine (where he delivered semi-coherent vocals interspersed with scat) with two numbers on a studio date for Verve led by Oscar Peterson; this Mainstream LP finds him expanding the concept to album length, with mixed success. Unfortunately, the effort becomes a little too commercial, not only de-emphasizing the jazz element to focus on the vocals, but adding lackluster songs like "Big Spender." Although multi-reed player Jerome Richardson, bassists George Duvivier or Richard Davis, and drummer Grady Tate are on hand, the arrangements by Joe Cain (who also composed three forgettable originals and co-wrote "Rum and Mumbles" with the leader) don't really give the musicians a chance to shine. Although Terry has continued his now familiar routine into his eighties, it is better heard in small doses, so this long unavailable record is likely to be of more interest to the most fanatical collectors of Clark Terry's music. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     The Mumbler Strikes Again 3'07
Clark Terry
2     Big Spender  2'29
Cy Coleman / Dorothy Fields
3     Rum and Mumbles 2'50
Joe Cain / Clark Terry
4     The Shadow of Your Smile 2'19
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster
5     Mumbles 2'42
Clark Terry
6     Grand Dad's Blues 3'52
Clark Terry
7     The Cat from Cadiz 4'35
Joe Cain
8     Never 3'37
Clark Terry
9     I'm Beginning to See the Light 2'34
Duke Ellington / Don George / Johnny Hodges / Harry James
10     Night Song 2'40
Lee Adams / Charles Strouse
11     El Blues Latino 3'07
Joe Cain
Credits :
Bass – George Duvivier, Richard Davis
Bongos – Jose Mangual
Congas – Willie Bobo
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Eric Gale, Vinnie Bell
Percussion – Phil Kraus
Piano, Organ – Frank Anderson
Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Jerome Richardson
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry