JOHNNY GRIFFIN - White Gardenia (1961-1995) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin pays tribute to Billie Holiday, who had died exactly two years earlier, on this ballad-oriented set, which has been reissued on CD. Griffin is joined by a brass section (either five or seven pieces), plus a rhythm section and strings (the latter dominated by cellos), for his warm interpretations of nine songs associated with Billie Holiday, plus his original "White Gardenia." The arrangements, provided by Melba Liston and Norman Simmons, are tasteful, and the lyrical music is well-performed, if not overly memorable. Worth checking out. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Gloomy Sunday 4'06
Sam M. Lewis / Rezsö Seress
2     That Old Devil Called Love 3'50
Doris Fisher / Allan Roberts
3     White Gardenia 3'18
Johnny Griffin
4     God Bless the Child 3'17
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
5     Detour Ahead 4'33
Lou Carter / Herb Ellis / John Freigo / Johnny Frigo
6     Good Morning Heartache 4'10
Ervin Drake / Dan Fisher / Irene Higginbotham
7     Don't Explain 4'43
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
8     Travelin' Light 4'06
Harry Akst / Sidney Clare
9     No More 3'57
Tutti Camarata / Bob Russell
10     Left Alone 2'54
Eric Dolphy / Billie Holiday / Mal Waldron
Credits :
Arranged By – Melba Liston (pistas: 1 to 3, 7, 9, 10), Norman Simmons (pistas: 4 to 6, 8)
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Ben Riley
French Horn – Ray Alonge
Guitar – Barry Galbraith
Piano – Barry Harris (pistas: 2, 5, 8), Jimmy Jones (pistas: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10)
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland, Paul Faulice, Urbie Green
Trumpet – Ernie Royal, Nat Adderley
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry