Personnel:
Clifford Brown (tp), Gigi Gryce (as & fl), Lou Donaldson (as), Charlie Rouse (ts), Richie Powell, Elmo Hope, John Lewis, Henri Renaud (p), Barry Galbraith, Jimmy Gourley (g), George Morrow, Pierre Michelot (b), Max Roach, Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones (d)
Reference: EJC55421
Bar code: 8436028694211
The complete classic EmArcy album "Clifford Brown With Strings", one of the most lyrical albums in the trumpeters career and an indisputable jazz classic.
While many of his recordings show Clifford Brown full of fire and intensity, the sweetness of his character is probably best reflected in his ballad playing, and the sole album here he made with a string orchestra has become a classic jazz recording. His voice on the horn is completely unmistakable and the listener is immersed in a musical dream that demands repeated listening.
As a bonus, six wonderful ballads featuring Brownie taken from different 1953 sessions in New York and in Paris.
Tracklisting:
01. Portrait Of Jenny
02. Whats New
03. Yesterdays
04. Where Or When
05. Cant Help Lovin Dat Man
06. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
07. Laura
08. Memories Of You
09. Embraceable You
10. Blue Moon
11. Willow Weep For Me
12. Stardust
13. Brownie Eyes (*) Bonus Track
14. Easy Living (*) Bonus Track
15. You Go To My Head (*) Bonus Track
16. Strictly Romantic (*) Bonus Track
17. I Cover The Waterfront (*) Bonus Track
18. It Might As Well Be Spring (*) Bonus Track
Total time: 65:58 min.
Tracks #1-12 originally issued as "Clifford Brown With Strings" (EmArcy MG 36005). Personnel: Clifford Brown (tp), Richie Powell (p), Barry Galbraith (g), George Morrow (b) and Max Roach (d). Neal Hefti (arr, cond) plus 6 violins, 2 violas, 1 violoncello. Recorded at Fine Sound Studios, New York City, on January 18, 1955.
Personnel on tracks #13-14: Gigi Gryce (as & fl), Charlie Rouse (ts), John Lewis (p), Percy Heath (b) and Art Blakey (d). Recorded in New York City, on August 28, 1953.
Personnel on track #15: Lou Donaldson (as), Elmo Hope (p), Percy Heath (b) and Philly Joe Jones (d). Recorded in New York City, on June 9, 1953.
Personnel on track #16: Gigi Gryce (as), Henri Renaud (p), Jimmy Gourley (g), Pierre Michelot (b) and Jean-Louis Viale (d). Recorded in Paris, France, on October 8, 1953.
Personnel on track #17: Same personnel as 16. Recorded on September 29, 1953.
Personnel on track #18: Henri Renaud (p), Pierre Michelot (b) and Benny Bennett (d). Recorded in Paris, France, on October 15, 1953.
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Notes:
"There are two schools of thought regarding this Clifford Brown with strings session (which has been reissued on CD). Brownie plays quite beautifully and shows off his warm tone on such numbers as "Portrait of Jenny," "Memories of You," "Embraceable You" and "Stardust." But on the other hand the string arrangements by Neal Hefti border on muzak and Brown never really departs from the melody. So the trumpeter's tone is the only reason to acquire this disc which to this listener is a slight disappointment, not living up to its potential."
Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
