In the mid Fifties, Buddy Rich was universally considered to be, technically, the greatest drummer ever. It was an opinion shared by Norman Granz, who regarded Rich as the paragon of jazz drummers, and used him in several recording sessions, trusting him as JATPs timekeeper. These 1955 quintet dates, along with the swinging and melodically tasteful trumpet of Harry Sweets Edison, are among the drummers best small group recordings.
Both are backed up by some excellent jazzmen. Altoist Sonny Criss is heard in some searingly pointed solos and Barney Kessel and John Simmons contribute characteristically superior work, while Jimmy Rowles is wonderfully relaxed and swinging throughout. A fine example of the natural, spontaneous expression of emotion that is the mainstream jazz at its best.
Tracklist
Total time: 77:40 min.
01. Sonny And Sweets (Rich-Edison) (4:42)
02. The Two Mothers (Rich-Edison) (6:01)
03. Smooth One (Bennie Goodman) (9:11)
04. Broadway (Wood-McRay-Bird) (11:53)
05. Nice Work If You Can Get It (Gershwin-Gershwin) (4:05)
06. Willow Weep For Me (Ann Ronell) (7:02)
07. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me (Warren-Dubin) (5:11)
08. Now's The Time (Charlie Parker) (4:40)
09. Yellow Rose Of Brooklyn (Harry Edison) (4:32)
10. All Sweets (Harry Edison) (2:09)
11. Easy Does It (Young-Oliver) (8:16)
12. Barney's Bugle (Buddy Rich) (9:41)
Album details
Sources:
Tracks #1, 2 & 6, taken from "The Swinging Buddy Rich" (Norgran MGN-1052)
Tracks #3 & 4, taken from "The Wailing Buddy Rich" (Norgran MGN-1078)
Tracks #5, 7-12 from "Buddy & Sweets" (Norgran MGN-1038), later reissued as Verve MGV-8129.
Personnel:
Harry 'Sweets' Edison (trumpet), Sonny Criss (alto sax on #1-4), Barney Kessel (guitar on #5-12), Jimmy Rowles (piano), John Simmons (bass), Buddy Rich (drums).
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California, on August 26, 1955 [#1-4], September 1, 1955 [#5-12]
Original sessions supervised by Norman Granz
Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
