Known for his harsh excursions into the avant-garde with John Coltrane in the late '60s, Pharoah Sanders is at his most appealing interpreting ballads, such as these 2002 sessions. Well accompanied by pianist William Henderson, bassist Charles Fambrough, and drummer Sherman Ferguson, Sanders offers a fluid interpretation of the nearly forgotten gem "Too Young to Go Steady," showcasing his warm tenor sax and Henderson's lush touch as well. His take of Anthony Newley's "Feelin' Good" shows Coltrane's influence on him, while Sanders gives this show tune a gospel flavor. One fascinating choice is Piero Piccioni's "Light at the Edge of the World," written for the film of the same name, a big-budget 1971 film starring Kirk Douglas that flopped at the box office; Sanders' decision to look for obscurities such as this gem pays off huge dividends, with his robust playing in a soft bossa nova setting and Henderson's shimmering piano glistening like the sun on the ocean. The arrangements of favorites like "Body and Soul," "In a Sentimental Mood," and "Misty" are also among Pharoah Sanders' best recorded performances. Recommended. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 Too Young to Go Steady 5'58
Jimmy McHugh
2 Feelin' Good 7'15
Anthony Newley
3 Light at the Edge of the World 6'24
Piero Piccioni
4 Body and Soul 91
Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
5 Misty 5'45
Erroll Garner
6 In a Sentimental Mood 6'36
Duke Ellington / Manny Kurtz / Irving Mills
Credits :
Bass – Charles Fambrough
Drums – Sherman Ferguson
Piano – William Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders
To say that Benny Carter is a marvel is to make an obvious understatement. 87 at the time of this live quartet set (which also includes pianist Chris Neville, bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Sherman Ferguson), Carter could easily pass for 47, playing without any hesitant or faltering moments in a timeless swing style that he largely invented. There are no surprises to the repertoire other than the fact that Carter's perennial set opener "On Green Dolphin Street" (which is to him what "Indiana" was to Louis Armstrong in the 1950s) is programmed sixth. Two of the songs ("Easy Money" and "When Lights are Low") are Carter's, while the other pieces have been performed by him hundreds of times through the years. No matter; Benny Carter comes up with fresh variations during his enthusiastic solos, including a classic statement on "Secret Love." His logical and thoughtful improvisations manage to be unpredictable, except in their consistent excellence. An easily recommended set from an apparently ageless master. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 What Is This Thing Called Love? 6:56
Cole Porter
2 Easy Money 8:44
Benny Carter
3 The Shadow of Your Smile 6:38
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster
4 Secret Love 8:47
Sammy Fain / Paul Francis Webster
5 When Lights Are Low 5:23
Benny Carter / Spencer Williams
6 On Green Dolphin Street 7:45
Bronislaw Kaper / Ned Washington
7 But Beautiful 7:00
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
8 Just in Time 6:54
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
9 Perdido 7:57
Ervin Drake / Hans Lengsfelder / Juan Tizol
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Drums – Sherman Ferguson
Piano – Chris Neville
Tracklist :
1 My Mind Is Still On You 3'22
Vocals – Joe Williams
Words By – John Moen, Leonard Feather
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
2 Echo Of My Dream 5'07
Vocals – Diana Krall
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
3 Rock Me To Sleep 5'58
Drums – Roy McCurdy
Vocals – Ruth Brown
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter, Paul Vandervoort II
4 Stop Me Before I Fall In Love Again 4'01
Vocals – Billy Stritch
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
5 He Doesn't Need Me Now 8'31
Vocals – Nancy Marano
Words By – Paul Vandervoort II
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
6 Doozy 6'02
Vocals – Jon Hendricks
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
7 Nevermore 5'07
Vocals – Billy Stritch
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
8 Malibu 7'04
Vocals – Lainie Kazan
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
9 Blue Moonlight 5'50
Vocals – Marlena Shaw
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
10 Evening Star 5'27
Drums – Roy McCurdy
Vocals – Kenny Rankin
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
11 Slow Carousel 4'44
Vocals – Nancy Marano
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
12 Whisper To One 4'02
Music By – Benny Carter
Vocals – Barbara Lea
Words By – Al Stillman
13 I'm The Caring Kind 5'52
Music By – Benny Carter
Vocals – Weslia Whitfield
Words By – Irving Gordon
14 When Hilma Smiles 4'15
Vocals, Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Liner Notes – Benny Carter
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Cornet – Warren Vaché (pistas: 1 to 11, 13, 14)
Drums – Sherman Ferguson (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 9, 11 to 14)
Piano, Producer [Production Assistance] – Chris Neville
Esbjörn Svensson has stood not only once on stage in Montreux. He was already a guest in the summer of 1998 at the jazz festival on Lake Gen...
