This looked like a debacle in the making on first glance -- Andre Previn, out of jazz for nearly two decades as of this session, indulging classical violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman, who had never played jazz before in his life -- but the two classical partners actually made a really charming album the first time around. Of course, Perlman had a lot of expert help as he waded into the jazz pool, for Previn wrote out all of the tunes and solos for him and populated the rhythm section with can't-miss stalwarts Shelly Manne on drums, Red Mitchell on bass, and Jim Hall on guitar. That wouldn't guarantee a great record all by itself (see the It's a Breeze review) but in this case, the results are swinging, musical, lyrical and inordinately entertaining. Like the proverbial bicyclist who took a long sabbatical but never forgot how to ride, Previn still had plenty of keyboard invention in his fingers, and his tunes are consistently witty. The catchiest tune of the lot also has the funniest title, "Who Reads Reviews" -- aimed no doubt at the anticipated pack of jackals who were expected to eat this album for breakfast. But Perlman gives an attractive account of himself, not quite swinging but creating an alluring illusion of jazz feeling; in the ballads, he sounds as if he had been definitely listening to a lot of Stephane Grappelli. A historical note: this record, now on CD, actually anticipated the rash of "crossover" albums by classical artists that didn't take hold until late in the 1980s. And it remains more enjoyable than the vast majority of its successors. Different Kind of Blues Review by Richard S. Ginell
Perhaps Previn and Perlman figured that it would be a breeze to turn out a sequel to the surprisingly successful A Different Kind of Blues, but the bloom was definitely off the rose the second time around. The same ingredients are in place -- eight new Previn compositions with written-out solos for Perlman, and the rhythm section of Jim Hall, Red Mitchell and Shelly Manne. But the freshness of the earlier album is largely missing; the tunes aren't as good, the tempos often drag, the playing in general sounds routine and even arch. Even Perlman himself seems bored at times with his lines, his holiday drawing to a close and perhaps anxious to get back to playing concertos and encores. This would be, in any case, the final roundup for the Previn/Perlman jazz act and also, sadly, the last time that Previn would play with his old buddies Mitchell and Manne. It's a Breeze Review by Richard S. Ginell
A Different Kind of Blues (1980)
1. Look at Him Go 3:54
André Previn
2. Little Face 4:16
André Previn
3. Who Reads Reviews 4:15
André Previn
4. Night Thoughts 6:22
André Previn
5. A Different Kind of Blues 6:24
André Previn
6. Chocolate Apricot 5:04
André Previn
7. The Five of Us 2:55
André Previn
8. Make up Your Mind 3:51
André Previn
It's A Breeze (1981)
1. It's A Breeze 3:32
André Previn
2. Rain In My Head 6:34
André Previn
3. Catgut Your Tongue 6:10
André Previn
4. It's About Time 3:12
André Previn
5. Quiet Diddling 5:04
André Previn
6. A Tune For Heather 7:40
André Previn
7. Bowing And Scraping 5:00
André Previn
8. The Red Bar 5:23
André Previn
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Shelly Manne
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – André Previn
Violin – Itzhak Perlman
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