The Kenny Burrell Trio - A Night at the Vanguard
Guitar – Kenny Burrell [click here to see more vinyl featuring Kenny Burrell]
Drums – Roy Haynes [click here to see more vinyl featuring Roy Haynes]
Bass – Richard Davis
Written by Kenny Burrell (A1), Tom Adair (A2), Frank Sinatra (A3), Jack Wolf (A3), Erroll Garner (A4), Billy Byrd (B1), Henri Woode (B1), Benny Goodman (B2), Duke Ellington (B3), Billy Strayhorn (B3), Thelonious Monk (B4)
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33RPM
Size : 12''
Stereo
Live
Record Press : Third Man Pressing in Detroit
Label : Verve by Request Series
Original Label : Argo
Recorded September 16, 1959 at Village Vanguard, New York City
Engineered by Phil Macy
Produced by Jack Tracy
Liner Notes by Don Gold
Photography by Chuck Stewart
Originally released in 1959
Reissued in December 2023
Tracks :
Side A:
- All Night Long
- Will You Still be Mine
- I’m a Fool to Want You
- Trio
Side B:
- Broadway
- Soft Winds
- Just A-Sittin’ and A-Rockin’
- Well, You Needn’t
Reviews :
"Kenny Burrell's storied career as perhaps the premier modern jazz guitarist has been documented by many efforts in the studio, but here's a nightclub date that may well be highly ranked as one of his very best efforts. The spontaneity and freshness of Burrell's lyric lines and deft chords is further enhanced by perhaps the most advanced musicians he has ever played with -- bassist Richard Davis and drummer Roy Haynes. For music done in 1959, this is heady, seat-of-the-pants, brilliantly executed jazz that is mostly based in standards, but stretched to exacting tolerances that bend, but are not close to breaking. Davis provides strong support without going as outward as he did later in life, while Haynes might sound subdued to his fans, yet has an elastic presence that allows the other two a lot of freedom to fully articulate this modern mainstream language as a prelude heading into the turbulent '60s. On this straight reissue that originally sported the title "Man at Work," the trio plays all standards save the lively blues groove, more pronounced than the studio version of Burrell's "All Night Long," and the Erroll Garner tune "Trio," where Burrell's proves expert at combining singles lines and chords in balance. Most of the material is very upbeat and energetic as on the fast and quick "Will You Still Be Mine," and the bop swing of "Broadway" mixed up a little melodically by Burrell. The love of Duke Ellington's music is always with the guitarist as rendered during "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'," where the genius of Burrell is extant in his ability to provide his own counterpoint. Burrell's other precious component is his ability to relax and consistently swing as on Thelonious Monk's "Well, You Needn't," Benny Goodman's poignant and simple "Soft Winds," and dipping deep into the tenderness quotient on the ballad "I'm a Fool to Want You" aside the tango-flavored bass of Davis. A solid effort top to bottom, and a recording most highly recommended, this is Burrell and his extraordinary trio very close to, if not truly in their prime, and their element." AllMusic Review by Michael G. Nastos
An underground favourite for many years, this laid-back live set from New York's Village Vanguard didn't set the jazz world on fire when first released, but it did confirm the young Kenny Burrell as an all-rounder to be taken seriously. Many a guitarist can turn in a flashy solo, but the guitar-bass-drums trio is a demanding format. Some preparation is essential, especially for live gigs. During the exposition of each theme, the precise melody line and chord-voicings should also be planned in advance, plus later breaks and release phrases. And during his solos the guitarist must also do his own comping, which takes a lot of practice and a very tidy mind. Burrell demonstrates all these skills here.
It helps, of course, to have a good rhythm section. Bassist Richard Davis sounds supportively springy and the great Roy Haynes has always been a drummer of real authority. Here he gives the whole performance that extra snap, crackle and pop. He's also a brilliant listener and embellisher who latches on to any noteworthy guitar phrase like a shot.
Despite an occasional stumble at faster tempos, Burrell develops his solos with admirable care on superior standards that he continues to play to this day; ‘Will You Still Be Mine’, ‘Broadway’ and ‘Afternoon in Paris’. There's also his customary nod to Duke Ellington – ‘Just A-Sittin’ and A-Rockin' – and a slow-blues workout, in this case ‘All Night Long’. Some solos work better than others, but the main virtue of this album is that you never notice the absence of a pianist. Jazz Wise by Jack Massarik
"Although it came out in 1966, Chico Hamilton's The Dealer (Impulse! Records) still sounds as fresh as Long Beach mist. Leading a quartet that introduced the late guitar virtuoso Larry Coryell and which placed saxophone master Archie Shepp on piano, drummer Hamilton made a record that both showcased his fellow jazz princes and radiated his signature charm. He also crafted an as-yet-unheralded, unexpectedly resonant work of art.
Hamilton, who played in high school with Charles Mingus and would have reached a century in 2021, is associated with West Coast jazz and his twenty-sixth LP as a leader emanates Los Angeles cool. Starting with the warm, horn-swirled title track and continuing with Coryell's zipping guitar lines on "For Mods Only," the record could almost accompany some contemporary Philip Marlowe as he passes the gleaming windows of Rodeo Drive.
As standout songs such as the drum-shimmied "A Trip" and the sizzling "Larry of Arabia" prove, The Dealer—which also features Arnie Lawrence on alto saxophone and Richard Davis on bass—brims with priceless warmth.
Like William Parker's Mayan Space Station (AUM) from summer 2021 or Isaiah Collier's Return of the Black Emperor (Good Vibes Only) from 2019, Hamilton's album has a near volcanic energy and, like the most enduring jazz records, takes the form to magnificent heights. The fact that it was produced by the revered Bob Thiele and was recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio only makes it better.
When the album was released, America still endured the horrors of the Vietnam War, muck-faced soldiers sprinting for safety amidst all the gunfire.It's nice to imagine, however, in a faraway dream that the bossa nova-tinged "Jim-Jeannie" played from transistor radios and delighted those brave men. Today The Dealer, in all its sonic splendor, remains." All About Jazz Review by Zachary Weg.
Rating:
Discogs : 4.21 / 5 ; AllMusic : 4.5 / 5 ; The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings : 3.5 / 4