Bud Shank • California Dreamin'

This album was originally released by World Pacific Jazz, back in 1966. It brought together two influential figures in the West Coast jazz movement in the United States. Bud Shank was equally proficient and lucid on the alto sax and the flute. Known particularly for the creative combination of Californian 'cool school' jazz with Brazilian music that he and guitarist Laurindo Almeida recorded during the 1950s, he was more versatile than that simple description would suggest and featured over time to good effect in a wide variety of contexts and with a diverse company of partners and bands. If fiery playing was required, Bud could deliver with the best, particularly in his later years. Chet Baker made an impact at an early age, especially in his recordings with Gerry Mulligan, his subsequent work with Russ Freeman and his vocal albums. Here, he plays flugelhorn to the manner born. The duo are accompanied by an orchestra conducted by the pianist and composer Bob Florence who also contributed the arrangements. The personnel of the orchestra (which includes a vocal chorus) are not listed but Florence was noted for the quality of his sidemen when he assembled a band for a recording session or live performance.

The music on the album consists mostly of contemporary popular songs of that era. Some of them have stood the test of time better than others. In my view the arrangements are, on occasions, rather pedestrian and the vocal chorus can be cloying at times. Nevertheless, few will want to argue about the calibre of Shank and Baker. The interplay between them is strikingly good, as on Imprevu and Woman. If Chet at his most bittersweet is to your taste then listen to Gotta Go. Bud Shank's flute on California Dreamin' is a demonstration of how authentic a jazz instrument it can be, in the right hands. Incidentally, this particular piece sounds like a candidate for the soundtrack of a spaghetti western (maybe it's the vocal chorus!). Even with inferior material, as on Listen People, Shank on alto cannot fail to be interesting while Chet on flugelhorn is the epitome of relaxed swing. Daydream is probably the most jazz-oriented track but I also liked an invigorating take on Norwegian Wood and Shank's moody performance along with Baker's tender riposte on What The World Needs Now Is Love.

I guess it would be possible to consign this disc to the categories of 'jazz-lite' or of music for background listening. However, the musicianship and beauty of much of the playing will make fans of either or both of the principals glad it has been reissued.  http://www.musicweb-international.com/jazz/2016/Shank_Baker.htm

Note by egroj:

In general, the criticism of non-contemporary records does not contemplate a view from the perspective of the time, at that time jazz and blues in the United States was in decline before the onslaught of pop, rock and roll and fundamental music "beat" "imported from England by 4 hairy men from Liverpool. The option was to disappear or agiornarse, until the very Sachtmo resorted to it. So I ask you to listen to this album with ears and surroundings from that time.

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Traducción Automática:

Este álbum fue lanzado originalmente por World Pacific Jazz, en 1966. Reunió a dos figuras influyentes en el movimiento de jazz de la costa oeste de los Estados Unidos. Bud Shank era igualmente competente y lúcido en el saxo alto y la flauta. Conocido especialmente por la combinación creativa de jazz "cool school" californiano con música brasileña que él y el guitarrista Laurindo Almeida grabaron durante la década de 1950, era más versátil de lo que sugeriría esa simple descripción y se destacó a lo largo del tiempo con buenos resultados en una amplia variedad de contextos. Y con una empresa diversa de socios y bandas. Si se requiriera un juego ardiente, Bud podría entregar lo mejor, particularmente en sus últimos años. Chet Baker hizo un impacto a temprana edad, especialmente en sus grabaciones con Gerry Mulligan, su trabajo posterior con Russ Freeman y sus álbumes vocales. Aquí, él juega flugelhorn a la manera nacida. El dúo está acompañado por una orquesta dirigida por el pianista y compositor Bob Florence, quien también contribuyó con los arreglos. El personal de la orquesta (que incluye un coro vocal) no está en la lista, pero Florence se destacó por la calidad de sus miembros cuando reunió a una banda para una sesión de grabación o una actuación en vivo.

La música en el álbum consiste principalmente en canciones populares contemporáneas de esa época. Algunos de ellos han resistido la prueba del tiempo mejor que otros. En mi opinión, los arreglos son, en ocasiones, más bien peatonales y el coro vocal a veces puede ser empalagoso. Sin embargo, pocos querrán discutir sobre el calibre de Shank y Baker. La interacción entre ellos es sorprendentemente buena, como en Imprevu y Woman. Si Chet en su forma más agridulce es de su agrado, entonces escuche a Gotta Go. La flauta de Bud Shank en California Dreamin 'es una demostración de lo auténtico que puede ser un instrumento de jazz en las manos adecuadas. Por cierto, esta pieza en particular suena como un candidato para la banda sonora de un spaghetti western (¡tal vez sea el coro vocal!). Incluso con material inferior, como en Listen People, Shank en alto no puede dejar de ser interesante, mientras que Chet en flugelhorn es la personificación del swing relajado. Daydream es probablemente la pista más orientada al jazz, pero también me gustó una versión vigorizante de la malhumorada actuación de Norwegian Wood y Shank junto con la tierna respuesta de Baker sobre What The World Needs Now Is Love.

Supongo que sería posible enviar este disco a las categorías de 'jazz-lite' o de música para escuchar de fondo. Sin embargo, la maestría musical y la belleza de gran parte del juego harán que los fans de uno o ambos directores se alegren de que haya sido reeditado.  http://www.musicweb-international.com/jazz/2016/Shank_Baker.htm

Nota por egroj:

In general, the criticism of non-contemporary records does not contemplate a view from the perspective of the time, at that time jazz and blues in the United States was in decline before the onslaught of pop, rock and roll and fundamental music "beat" "imported from England by 4 hairy men from Liverpool. The option was to disappear or adapt, until the very Sachtmo resorted to it. So I suggest you listen to this album with ears and surroundings from that time.

Tracklist:
A1 - California Dreamin' - 2:31
A2 - Imprevu - 2:55
A3 - Listen People - 2:28
A4 - What The World Needs Now Is Love - 2:50
A5 - In Times Like These - 3:02
A6 - Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) - 2:39
B1 - Woman - 2:24
B2 - Monday, Monday - 2:55
B3 - Daydream - 3:02
B4 - Gotta Go - 2:53
B5 - The End Of The World - 2:53
B6 - Husbands & Wives - 3:10

 Bud Shank - Alto sax, flute
Chet Baker - Flugelhorn
Unidentified orchestra arranged and conducted by Bob Florence


Label: World Pacific Records ‎– WPS-21845
Released: 1966
Genre: Jazz
Style: Easy Listening

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