WILLIS JACKSON WITH PAT MRTINO — Single Action (1978-1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Willis Jackson was a tough-toned tenor who came to fame as a honker and screamer with Cootie Williams's big band in the late '40s. Although he calmed down his style a bit through the years, he always has a passionate sound and an accessible style best heard on blues, ballads and standards. This is a CD reissue of a 1978 session that features Jackson with guitarist Pat Martino, organist Carl Wilson and a supportive rhythm section. Although the Barbara Streisand-associated "Evergreen" (heard in two versions) and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" may not seem like the best material for the tenor, he uplifts the songs. But best are a pair of hard-driving blues and a warm rendition of "Makin' Whoopee." Joe Fields accurately states in the liner notes that Willis Jackson's best recording was his prior Muse release Bar Wars but Single Action does give one a good example of Jackson playing in a tenor style that (other than Houston Person and now Joshua Redman) is quickly disappearing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Evergreen    4:44
 Barbra Streisand / Paul Williams
2    Bolita    8:12
 Willis "Gator" Jackson
3    Makin' Whoopee    6:59
 Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
4    You Are The Sunshine Of My Life    7:43
 Stevie Wonder
5    Hittin' The Numbers    5:01
 Willis "Gator" Jackson
6    Single Action    6:17
 Willis "Gator" Jackson
7    Evergreen (Alternate Take)    4:41
 Barbra Streisand / Paul Williams
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Lewis
Drums – Yusef Ali
Engineer – Rudy van Gelder
Guitar – Pat Martino
Organ – Carl Wilson
Percussion – Ralph Dorsey
Tenor Saxophone – Willis Jackson

LOU DONALDSON - Birdseed (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Like fellow alto saxophonists Phil Woods, Jackie McLean, Frank Morgan, Ernie Henry, and Sonny Criss, Lou Donaldson started out with a very Charlie Parker-like tone but went on to develop a recognizable sound of his own. Bird's influence never disappeared from Donaldson's playing, although he successfully combined that influence with many ideas of his own. The title Birdseed might lead some to wonder if this 1992 date is a tribute to Parker -- it isn't, and the CD doesn't contain any Parker songs at all. However, that title is Donaldson's way of acknowledging Parker's tremendous contributions. (Producer Orrin Keepnews put it best when he said that there are basically two types of jazz: before and after Charlie Parker). Though the uptempo title song has a very Bird-like melody, it is Donaldson's own ideas that make this album as appealing as it is. From the Johnny Hodges-minded ballad "Dorothy" (written by singer Rudy Nichols) to earthy blues statements on Gene Ammons' "Red Top" and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson's "Back Door Blues," Birdseed finds Donaldson in fine form at 65. The CD's most surprising track is "Pennies From Heaven," which has usually been heard at a fast or medium speed in recent decades but is returned to a ballad tempo by Donaldson (who is joined by organist David Braham, drummer Fukushi Tainaka, percussionist Ralph Dorsey, and the Grant Green-influenced guitarist Peter Bernstein). Produced by Bob Porter, Birdseed falls short of essential but is inspired and swinging. Alex Henderson  
Tracklist :
1     Cherry 4:33
Don Redman    
2     Walkin' Again 6:56
Lou Donaldson     
3     Pennies from Heaven 6:29
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston    
4     Red Top 8:12
Lionel Hampton / Ben Kynard    
5     Blue Bossa 5:45
Kenny Dorham    
6     Back Door Blues 4:59
Lou Donaldson     
7     Dorothy 5:22
Rudy Nichols    
8     Birdseed 6:44
Lou Donaldson          
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Congas – Ralph Dorsey
Drums – Fukushi Tainaka
Guitar – Peter Bernstein
Organ – David Braham