SIR CHARLES THOMPSON AND THE HAWK - For the Ears (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although Vanguard gives Coleman Hawkins co-billing on this 1999 reissue, the tenor titan is actually heard on only five of its12 John Hammond-produced selections (which were recorded in 1954, 1955 and 1956). But with or without the mighty Hawk, the material finds Sir Charles Thompson in good to excellent form. In the 1950s, Thompson fluctuated between swing and bop, and For The Ears reflects his passion for both. The CD also reflects Thompson's love of Count Basie. Although the pianist was quite recognizable himself, Basie was always his primary influence--and the Count's influence comes through on hard-swinging uptempo numbers like "Dynaflow" and "Ready for Freddie" as well as the ballads "Under the Sweetheart Tree" and "It's the Talk of the Town" (both of which remind us how seductive and alluring Hawkins' ballad playing could be). Four of the songs, including "Love for Sale" and "Stompin' at the Savoy, " come from a drumless 1956 trio date with guitarist Skeeter Best and bassist Aaron Bell. Opting for variety, For The Ears paints an appealing picture of Thompson's Vanguard output. Alex Henderson  
Tracklist :
1    Fore! 6'55
Alto Saxophone – Earl Warren
Bass – Aaron Bell
Drums – Osie Johnson
Guitar – Steve Jordan
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Benny Morton
Trumpet – Emmett Berry
2    Ready For Freddie 2:57
Alto Saxophone – Earl Warren
Bass – Aaron Bell
Drums – Osie Johnson
Guitar – Steve Jordan
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Benny Morton
Trumpet – Emmett Berry
3    It's The Talk Of The Town 4:36
Alto Saxophone – Earl Warren
Bass – Aaron Bell
Drums – Osie Johnson
Guitar – Steve Jordan
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Benny Morton
Trumpet – Emmett Berry
4    Dynaflow 4:51
Alto Saxophone – Earl Warren
Bass – Aaron Bell
Drums – Osie Johnson
Guitar – Steve Jordan (3)
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Benny Morton
Trumpet – Emmett Berry
5    Oh Joe! 6:21
Alto Saxophone – Pete Brown
Bass – Gene Ramey
Drums – Osie Johnson
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
Trombone – Benny Powell
Trumpet – Joe Newman
6    Best By Test 2:50
Bass – Aaron Bell
Guitar – Skeeter Best
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
7    Love For Sale 6:24
Bass – Aaron Bell
Guitar – Skeeter Best
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
8    Stompin' At The Savoy 3:14
Bass – Aaron Bell
Guitar – Skeeter Best
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
9    Hey There 5:13
Bass – Aaron Bell
Guitar – Skeeter Best
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
10    For The Ears 11:17
Alto Saxophone – Pete Brown
Bass – Gene Ramey
Drums – Osie Johnson
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
Trombone – Benny Powell
Trumpet – Joe Newman
11    Bop This 3:45
Alto Saxophone – Pete Brown
Bass – Gene Ramey
Drums – Osie Johnson
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
Trombone – Benny Powell
Trumpet – Joe Newman
12    Under The Sweetheart Tree 5:23
Alto Saxophone – Earl Warren
Bass – Aaron Bell
Drums – Osie Johnson
Guitar – Steve Jordan
Piano – Sir Charles Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Benny Morton
Trumpet – Emmett Berry