Clark Terry - Clark After Dark The Ballad Artistry Of Clark Terry
Flugelhorn – Clark Terry [click here to see more products featuring Clark Terry]
Orchestra Conductor – Peter Herbolzheimer
Alto Flute – Stan Sulzman
Alto Saxophone – Al Newman, Roy Willox
Baritone Saxophone – Ronnie Ross
Bass – Chris Laurence
Bass Clarinet – Al Newman
Cello – Alan Dalziel, Bram Martin, Derek Simpson, Vivien Joseph
Clarinet – Ronnie Ross, Roy Willox, Tony Coe
Double Bass – Arthur Watts, Rodney Stratford
Flute – Roy Willox, Stan Sulzman, Tony Coe
French Horn – Terry Johns
Guitar – Martin Kershaw
Percussion – Tristan Fry
Piano – Gordon Beck
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Sulzman, Tony Coe
Trombone – Cliff Hardy, Dave Horler, Nat Peck, Ray Premru
Trumpet – Dave Hancock (A1, A5, B1, B5), Derek Watkins (A1-5, B2-4), Eddie Blair (A2-4, B2-5), Kenny Wheeler, Tony Fisher
Viola – Ken Essex, Luciano Jori, Margaret Major, Rusein Gunes
Violin leader] – Tony Gilbert
Violin – Bela Dekany, Bill Reid, Charles Vorzanger, Dennis McConnell, Derek Solomon, Desmond Bradley, Diana Cummings, Fred Parrington, Hans Geiger, Homi Kagnga, Jim Archer, John Willison, Max Salpeter, Michael Jones, Paul Sherman, Peter Benson, Bill Armon
Arranged by Horst Mühlbradt (A4, B2), Jerry Van Rooyen (A3), Peter Herbolzheimer (A1-2, A5, B1, B3-5)
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Optimal Media GmbH
Label : MPS
Original Label : MPS
Recorded at Olympic Studios
Engineered by Keith Grant
Produced by Mike Hennessey
Originally released in 1978
Reissued in 2016
Tracks:
Side A:
- Misty
- Nature Boy
- Georgia On My Mind
- November Song
- Clark After Dark
Side B:
- Willow Weep For Me
- Yesterdays
- Emily
- Angel Eyes
- Girl Talk
Reviews:
“Clark Terry was a master soloist on trumpet and flugelhorn. He was also a superb story teller, and had his own brand of scat singing with witty “mumbling” as its core. Terry had the unique privilege of playing in both the Duke Ellington and Count Basie bands during his prime.
His ballad prowess is on full display in a 1977 MPS label release that has been remastered on 180 gm vinyl. It’s part of a major reissue of classic MPS issues, remastered on audiophile vinyl.
Clark After Dark was a major production from MPS. Recorded over four days in September, 1977 at the Olympic Sound Studio in London, Terry’s ballad skills are featured on ten tracks of classic standards (actually “November Song” and “Clark After Dark” are originals written by the albums’ producer, Mike Hennessey; and the title track by the conductor, Peter Herbolzheimer.) I found these two tracks to be the most stimulating of the entire album.
Several of the songs, such as “Nature Boy” and “Georgia on My Mind,” with swirling strings and Terry’s burnished tone, would be prime candidates for a moody movie soundtrack. Johnny Mandel’s song treasure, “Emily” is given tender treatment, while “Angel Eyes” gives Clark just a bit of time to improvise.
There are times however, when the strings overwhelm Terry. I also wished the arranger would have let the horns and reeds show their big band power shine on tracks such as on Neil Hefti’s “Girl Talk.”
There are limited solos for other lead band instruments. Some that stand out include Gordon Beck (piano) and Dave Horler (trombone) on the title track, as well as Tony Coe (tenor sax) on “Girl Talk.”
Fans of Mr. Terry will enjoy his “fine and mellow” ballad mastery throughout this 1977 album, now newly reissued, on 180 gm vinyl.” Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition, December 2021
"Clark Terry's 1977 studio date with an orchestra conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer might very well fall into the easy listening category were it not for his brilliant improvisations on fluegelhorn, which he plays throughout the session. Most of the material consists of classic songs that Terry was undoubtedly very familiar with by the time of this 1977 recording, including "Misty," "Willow Weep for Me," "Angel Eyes," and "Yesterdays," with the arrangements all having pretty much a low-key, late-night feeling, hence the album title. Producer Mike Hennessey co-wrote "November Song" with Willi Fruth, a ballad with swirling strings; and Herbolzheimer contributed "Clark After Dark," a tasty blues that is a good deal looser than most of the rest of the album, which also features great solos by pianist Gordon Beck and trombonist Dave Horler, as well as some great muted horn from Terry. The loping "Girl Talk" showcases tenor saxophonist Tony Coe and guitarist Martin Kershaw briefly. While this isn't one of Clark Terry's most essential LPs, his flawless playing make it a worthwhile investment -- if you can only find it." AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden
Ratings :
AllMusic : 2.5 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.48 / 5 ; Audiophile Audition : 3.5 / 5