JOE GORDON — Lookin' Good! (1961-2001) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Joe Gordon did not live long, only making it to 35. His second of two recordings as a leader (originally released by Contemporary) finds him on the verge of leading his own group. Gordon wrote all eight of the selections and is joined by adventurous but obscure altoist Jimmy Woods, pianist Dick Whittington, bassist Jimmy Bond, and drummer Milt Turner. Although the solos are generally more memorable than the tunes, this is an excellent effort that hints at what might have been had Joe Gordon lived. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Terra Firma Irma    7:42
Written-By – Joe Gordon
2    A Song For Richard    5:00
Written-By – Joe Gordon
3    Non-Viennese Waltz Blues    4:11
Written-By – Joe Gordon
4    You're The Only Girl In The Next World For Me    4:01
Written-By – Joe Gordon
5    Co-op Blues    5:55
Written-By – Joe Gordon
6    Marianna    4:08
Written-By – Joe Gordon
7    Heleen    4:01
Written-By – Joe Gordon
8    Diminishing    5:05
Written-By – Joe Gordon
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jimmy Woods
Bass – Jimmy Bond
Drums – Milt Turner
Piano – Dick Whittington
Trumpet – Joe Gordon

CLARK TERRY - Clark Terry and His Orchestra featuring Paul Gonsalves (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Critics often complain that small-group sessions comprised of members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra are somewhat disappointing; this is definitely not the case with this session led by Clark Terry, recorded during a 1959 tour of Europe in the final month of the trumpeter's almost eight-year tenure with the band. Fellow Ellington sidemen Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Woode, and Sam Woodyard are present, along with Raymond Fol at the piano. Terry was one of the most gifted trumpeters to grace the Ellington band and he blossoms when he has more opportunities to solo in a small group setting like this one. Gonsalves proves to be the perfect foil for Terry as they trade lines on several of the numbers. Unlike many dates led by Ellington veterans, this one doesn't rely heavily on songs from the vast Ellington songbook; instead, Terry includes only "Satin Doll," while choosing one standard ("Mean to Me"), a pair of Monk tunes, and five of his own compositions, with "Serenade to a Bus Seat" (a remake of his upbeat instrumental interpretation of the hectic life of a touring musician) proving to be the most memorable. This studio date was recorded for French Decca and has been almost impossible to find prior to the appearance of this Storyville CD, so it should be of great interest to fans of Clark Terry, with the added bonus of a previously unissued alternate take of "Pannonica." Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Serenade to a Bus Seat 4'02
Clark Terry
2     Pannonica 5'39
Thelonious Monk
3     Pea-Eye 5'04
Clark Terry
4     Satin Doll 4'55
Duke Ellington / Johnny Mercer / Billy Strayhorn
5     Daniel's Blues 4'50
Clark Terry
6     Mean to Me 5'16
Fred E. Ahlert / Roy Turk
7     Blues for the Champ of Champs 11'04
Clark Terry
8     Circeo 4'14
Raymond Fol
9     Clark Bars 6'56
Clark Terry
10     Pannonica, No. 2 6'22
Thelonious Monk
11     Lonely One 3'21
Babs Gonzales
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woods
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Raymond Fol
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trumpet, Arranged By – Clark Terry