Birdlanders, Vol. 1
ASIN: B00004SUFJ
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Birdlanders was a title given to several Vogue recordings made by the French pianist Henri Renaud in New York City in the early 1950's when they were first issued in the US by Period Records. Volume 1 contains two LPs, including one by a group made up of Milt Jackson, J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding, Al Cohn, Percy Heath, Charlie Smith, and Henri Renaud that manages to feature each of them on one cut or another. Jackson is superb throughout, as are Johnson and Cohn. Renaud shows himself to be a fine pianist who anticipates Horace Silver. (The English translation of the liner notes, however, manages to slander him when he is referred to as "well known to all the amateurs of jazz"--when it should have been translated as "lovers of jazz.")
The second LP included was part of the first recording of Duke Jordan's trio, and offers a chance to hear early versions of compositions such as "Jordu" (here titled "Minor Escamp") and a very interesting "Scotch Blues." It's also an opportunity to hear "Embraceable You" by the pianist who accompanied Charlie Parker on his acclaimed recording of this tune. This is bebop of the moment, its character underlined by not having the dominant presence of stars such as Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, or Bud Powell. --John F. Szwed
From Jazziz
Both volumes of The Birdlanders (Fantasy) were produced in New York in 1954 by French pianist Henri Renaud. Combined, the two volumes display the work of four groups. On the first volume, vibist Milt Jackson appears with trombonist J.J. Johnson, tenorman Al Cohn, Renaud, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Charlie Smith. The first volume also includes a trio led by pianist Duke Jordan. The second features a sextet with bassist/cellist Oscar Pettiford, Cohn, guitarist Tal Farlow, trombonist Kai Winding, Renaud, and drummer Max Roach. A quartet with Renaud, Cohn, bassist Gene Ramey, and drummer Denzil Best is on the second volume, as well. Notice the evolution of Johnson and Jackson's styles from 1946 to 1954. They're post-boppers here, not boppers, so their work is less swing-oriented. They play thoughtful, carefully constructed solos. Cohn's quite melodic and plays with good continuity. His tone is heavier than those of Stan Getz and Zoot Sims, with whom he came to prominence in Woody Herman's Second Herd. He could play lovely thematic variations of standards, as he does on "Out of Nowhere."
Jordan's five-tune set includes two attractive originals by him, the jazz standard "Jordu" - a.k.a. "Minor Escamp" - and "Scotch Blues." His full-bodied, lyrical playing is propelled by a solid left hand.
String players Farlow and Pettiford stand out with pretty, lucid solos. Tal sounded better in 1954, I think, than he did later with Verve, where he gained popularity. Check out his early playing here, as a leader and sideman on a couple of Blue Note sessions and with Artie Shaw - he is wonderful. Renaud, a tasteful, sensitive player who holds his own with the Americans, contributes substantive work. Dig his cooking on both versions of "Ny's Idea."
--- Harvey Pekar, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.
Birdlanders, Vol. 1,The Birdlanders,Ojc,Bop,Jazz,Jazz Collections,Jazz Music,Pop
Average customer rating: 
|
Birdlanders, Vol. 1
The Birdlanders Manufacturer: Ojc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  Bebop General
| Bebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Compilations
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004SUFJ Release Date: 2000-05-09 |
Tracks:
Amazon.com
The Birdlanders was a title given to several Vogue recordings made by the French pianist Henri Renaud in New York City in the early 1950's when they were first issued in the US by Period Records. Volume 1 contains two LPs, including one by a group made up of Milt Jackson, J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding, Al Cohn, Percy Heath, Charlie Smith, and Henri Renaud that manages to feature each of them on one cut or another. Jackson is superb throughout, as are Johnson and Cohn. Renaud shows himself to be a fine pianist who anticipates Horace Silver. (The English translation of the liner notes, however, manages to slander him when he is referred to as "well known to all the amateurs of jazz"--when it should have been translated as "lovers of jazz.")The second LP included was part of the first recording of Duke Jordan's trio, and offers a chance to hear early versions of compositions such as "Jordu" (here titled "Minor Escamp") and a very interesting "Scotch Blues." It's also an opportunity to hear "Embraceable You" by the pianist who accompanied Charlie Parker on his acclaimed recording of this tune. This is bebop of the moment, its character underlined by not having the dominant presence of stars such as Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, or Bud Powell. --John F. Szwed
Customer Reviews:
step back in time.......2002-08-18
Jazz Music: