A Swingin' Night At Birdland

Fresh Sound Records

Personnel:
Joe Williams (vocal), Harry Edison (trumpet), Sir Charles Thompson (piano), Jimmy Forrest (tenor sax), Joe Benjamin (bass), Charlie Persip (drums)

Reference: FSRCD 022

Info
Tracklist
Album details
Press

Tracklist

1. September in the rain (Warren-Dubin)
2. Come back baby (Mina-Bromley)
3. Five o'clock in the morning (Joe Williams)
4. By the river St.Marie (Warren-Leslie)
5. This can't be love (Rodgers-Hart)
6. Teach me tonight (DePaul-Cahn)
7. Well alright (Faye-Raye-Howell)
8. I was telling her about you (Charlap-George)
9. Have you met Miss Jones? (Rodgers-Hart)
10. Well oh well (Gillis-Bullard)

Press reviews

In 1961, after six years as one of the main attractions of Count Basie's orchestra, Williams (with Basie's blessing) went out on his own. One of his first sessions was this live recording, cut at Birdland with a strong quintet that featured trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jimmy Forrest on tenor. Williams mostly sings standards and ballads, but also tosses in a few of his popular blues (including "Well Alright, OK, You Win" and "Goin' to Chicago") during a well-rounded and thoroughly enjoyable set.
-by Scott Yanow (AMG)