Made in October 1960, just a few months before Lem Winchesters accidental death in early 1961, With Feeling, the first of the albums here, was intended to be part of Prestiges Moodsville ballad series. But the results were rather livelier than that suggests, as the vibist, impeccably supported by pianist Richard Wyands, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Roy Haynes, distinguishes himself on an enjoyable date, especially on Why Don't They Understand, But Beautiful and Skylark.
He joined the same rhythm section that August for Nocturne, another Moodsville album, this time led by alto and tenor saxophonist Oliver Nelson, on which all involved contributed warmly evocative music.
And in between these albums Winchester was reunited with the same rhythm section in September, along with Oliver Nelson, for another swinging and effective session, this time with Etta Jones. A singer influenced by among others, Billie Holiday, she delivers unforced and persuasively engaging interpretations of a set of superior standards, admirably backed by the quintet.
Tracklist
Total time: 111:20 min.
CD 1
01. Why Don't They Understand? (Henderson-Fishman) 4:31
02. Butterfly (Patricia Bradshaw) 4:30
03. With a Song in My Heart (Rodgers-Hart) 4:28
04. But Beautiful (Van Heusen-Burke) 4:10
05. Skylark (Carmichael-Mercer) 6:39
06. To Love and Be Loved (Van Heusen-Cahn) 3:48
07. The Kids (Lem Winchester) 3:59
08. My Romance (Rodgers-Hart) 4:05
09. Nocturne (Oliver Nelson) 3:44
10. Bob's Blues (Oliver Nelson) 5:28
11. Man with a Horn (DeLange-Jenney-Lake) 6:05
12. In a Sentimental Mood (Ellington-Kurtz-Mills) 6:12
CD 2
01. Early Morning (Oliver Nelson) 4:44
02. Azur'Te [Paris Blues] (Davis-Wolf) 5:40
03. Time After Time (Cahn-Styne) 7:23
04. The More I See You (Warren-Gordon) 4:10
05. Our Love is Here to Stay (G. & I. Gershwin) 3:44
06. Easy Living (Robin-Rainger) 4:51
07. They Can't Take that Away from Me (G. & I. Gershwin) 2:48
08. Canadian Sunset (Heywood-Gimbel) 2:34
09. I Got it Bad (Ellington-Webster) 4:07
10. That's All There is to That (Otis-Owens) 3:56
11. I Only Have Eyes for You (Dubin-Warren) 3:12
12. Almost Like Being in Love (Lerner-Loewe) 2:44
13. Lady Day (Roy Johnson) 2:51 *
Album details
(*) Bonus Track
Sources CD 1:
Tracks #1-8, from the Prestige/Moodsville album "Lem Winchester - With Feeling" (MVLP11)
Tracks #9-12, from the Prestige/Moodsville album "Oliver Nelson - Nocturne" (MVLP13)
Sources CD 2:
Tracks #1-3, from Oliver Nelson "Nocturne" (Prestige/Moodsville MVLP13)
Tracks #6,8,10,11 & 12, from the album "Etta Jones - Something Nice" (Prestige PR7194)
Tracks #4,5,7 & 9, from the album "Etta Jones - Hollar!" (Prestige PR7284)
Track #13, from the Lem Winchester album "Lem's Beat" (Prestige/New Jazz 8239)
Personnel on CD 1
Tracks #1-8: Lem Winchester, vibes; Richard Wyands, piano; George Duvivier, bass; Roy Haynes, drums.
Recorded in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., October 7, 1960
Tracks #9-12 & CD2 #1-3: Oliver Nelson, alto and tenor sax; Lem Winchester, vibes except on CD1 #9; Richard Wyands, piano; George Duvivier, bass; Roy Haynes, drums.
Recorded in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., August 23, 1960
Personnel on CD 2
Tracks #4-12: Etta Jones, vocals, accompanied by Oliver Nelson, tenor sax except on #7-12; Lem Winchester, vibes except on #10-12; Richard Wyands, piano; George Duvivier, bass; Roy Haynes, drums.
Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., September 16, 1960
Track #13: Curtis Peagler, alto sax; Oliver Nelson, tenor sax; Lem Winchester, vibes; Roy Johnson, piano; Wendell Marshall, bass; Art Taylor, drums.
Recorded at Englewood Cliffs, N.J., April 19, 1960
Recording Engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Original recordings produced by Esmond Edwards
This compilation produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
© 2012 by Fresh Sound Records
Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
Blue Moon Producciones Discograficas, S.L.Press reviews
-With Feeling
"Vibraphonist Lem Winchester's final recording was made just three months before his accidental death, which occurred when he was demonstrating a gun trick. Although originally recorded for the Prestige subsidiary Moodsville (a series that emphasized slow, melodic ballads), there is a fair amount of variety on Winchester's last effort. Joined by pianist Richard Wyands, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Roy Haynes, Winchester mixes medium-tempo performances with slower numbers and shows that his style was growing away from his original Milt Jackson influence. Among the better selections are "With a Song In My Heart," "Skylark" and "My Romance."
—Scott Yanow (All Music Guide)
