LESTER YOUNG — The "Kansas City" Sessions (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is a CD overflowing with classic performances. The great Lester Young is heard with the 1938 version of the Kansas City Six, a group also including trumpeter Buck Clayton (in prime form), Eddie Durham on electric guitar (where he preceded Charlie Christian) and trombone, the rhythm guitar of Freddie Green, bassist Walter Page, and drummer Jo Jones. The four selections (all of which are joined by an alternate take apiece) are most notable for Young's switching to clarinet on some of the pieces. His clarinet solo on "I Want a Little Girl" sounds eerily like Paul Desmond's alto of 15 years later. These classic cool jazz performances have delightful interplay between the two horns. The second part of the reissue features the 1944 Kansas City Six in which Young (sticking to tenor) and trumpeter Bill Coleman are joined by a three-piece rhythm section and trombonist Dickie Wells. Wells, who takes some very colorful and nearly riotous solos, rarely sounded better, and the four selections are highlighted by three equally rewarding versions of "I Got Rhythm" and two of "Three Little Words." The CD concludes with the four titles by 1938's Kansas City Five, which was essentially the early Kansas City Six without Young. Clayton is once again in top form, and Durham's guitar solos were among the first worthwhile examples of the electric guitar on record. This gem is highly recommended for all jazz collections. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Kansas City Six–    Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (#2)    3:00
2    Kansas City Six–    Way Down Yonder In New Orleans    2:57
3    Kansas City Six–    Countless Blues    3:01
4    Kansas City Six–    Countless Blues (#2)    2:59
5    Kansas City Six–    Them There Eyes (#2) 2:57
Vocals – Freddie Green
6    Kansas City Six–    Them There Eyes 2:58
Vocals – Freddie Green
7    Kansas City Six–    I Want A Little Girl    2:53
8    Kansas City Six–    I Want A Little Girl (#2)    2:54
9    Kansas City Six–    Pagin' The Devil    2:57
10    Kansas City Six–    Pagin' The Devil (#2)    2:55
11    Kansas City Six–    Three Little Words (#2)    3:19
12    Kansas City Six–    Three Little Words    2:52
13    Kansas City Six–    Jo Jo    3:17
14    Kansas City Six–    I Got Rhythm (#3)    3:15
15    Kansas City Six–    I Got Rhythm (#2)    3:15
16    Kansas City Six–    I Got Rhythm    3:16
17    Kansas City Six–    Four O'Clock Drag    2:51
18    Kansas City Six–    Four O'Clock Drag (#3)    2:50
19    Kansas City Five–    Laughing At Life    3:05
20    Kansas City Five–    Good Mornin' Blues    2:51
21    Kansas City Five–    I Know That You Know    3:04
22    Kansas City Five–    Love Me Or Leave Me    2:47
Credits :
Bass – John Simmons (tracks: 11 to 18), Walter Page (tracks: 1 to 10, 19 to 22)
Drums – Jo Jones
Guitar – Freddie Green (tracks: 1 to 10, 19 to 22)
Piano – Joe Bushkin (tracks: 11 to 18)
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Lester Young (tracks: 1 to 18)
Trombone – Dicky Wells (tracks: 11 to 18)
Trombone, Electric Guitar – Eddie Durham (tracks: 1 to 10, 19 to 22)
Trumpet – Bill Coleman (tracks: 11 to 18), Buck Clayton (tracks: 1 to 10, 19 to 22)
Notes.
Recorded in New York City.
Tracks 1 to 10 recorded September 28, 1938.
Tracks 11 to 18 recorded March 27, 1944.
Tracks 19 to 22 recorded March 16, 1938.