egroj world: Luckey Roberts & Willie The Lion Smith • Luckey & The Lion Harlem Piano

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Luckey Roberts & Willie The Lion Smith • Luckey & The Lion Harlem Piano

Review:
by Scott Yanow
Despite his talents as a pioneering stride pianist, Luckey Roberts only led three recording sessions in his long career. The second date (which comprises half of this CD reissue) ranks up there with his earlier Solo Art set. Roberts performs six originals on this release, none of which (including "Nothin'," "Inner Space," and "Outer Space") are particularly known, although traditional jazz pianists would be well advised to explore these pieces. The second half of the release features the equally distinctive Willie "The Lion" Smith on six piano solos of his own, including five originals (highlighted by "Relaxin'" and "Concentratin'") and the standard "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea." Wonderful and classic music.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/luckey-the-lion-harlem-piano-mw0000272729

Charles Luckeyeth Roberts.
American jazz pianist and composer.
Born: August 07, 1893 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Died: February 05, 1968 in New York City, New York.

William Henry Joseph Bonaparte Bertholoff Smith
American jazz pianist and composer.
Born: 23 November 1897 in Goshen, New York, USA.
Died: 18 April 1973 in New York City, New York, USA.
Willie was active since the early 1910s, best known for his 'Harlem Stride' playing style. The legend is that his nickname "The Lion" came from his bravery while serving as a heavy artillery gunner.

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Reseña:
por Scott Yanow
A pesar de su talento como pianista pionero del stride, Luckey Roberts sólo dirigió tres sesiones de grabación en su larga carrera. La segunda fecha (que comprende la mitad de esta reedición en CD) está a la altura de su anterior conjunto Solo Art. Roberts interpreta seis originales en este lanzamiento, ninguno de los cuales (incluyendo "Nothin'", "Inner Space" y "Outer Space") son particularmente conocidos, aunque los pianistas de jazz tradicional harían bien en explorar estas piezas. La segunda mitad del lanzamiento presenta al igualmente distintivo Willie "The Lion" Smith en seis solos de piano propios, incluyendo cinco originales (destacados por "Relaxin'" y "Concentratin'") y el estándar "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea". Música maravillosa y clásica.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/luckey-the-lion-harlem-piano-mw0000272729

Charles Luckeyeth Roberts.
Pianista y compositor de jazz estadounidense.
Nació: el 7 de agosto de 1893 en Filadelfia, Pensilvania.
Murió: el 05 de febrero de 1968 en Nueva York, Nueva York.

William Henry Joseph Bonaparte Bertholoff Smith
Pianista y compositor de jazz estadounidense.
Nació: el 23 de noviembre de 1897 en Goshen, Nueva York, Estados Unidos.
Murió: el 18 de abril de 1973 en New York City, New York, USA.
Willie estuvo en activo desde principios de la década de 1910, más conocido por su estilo de tocar "Harlem Stride". La leyenda dice que su apodo "El León" se debe a su valentía mientras servía como artillero de artillería pesada.

Tracklist
A1 - Luckey Roberts - Nothin' - 3:14
A2 - Luckey Roberts - Spanish Fandango - 5:17
A3 - Luckey Roberts - Railroad Blues - 2:09
A4 - Luckey Roberts - Complainin' - 3:05
A5 - Luckey Roberts - Inner Space - 7:20
A6 - Luckey Roberts - Outer Space - 2:49
B1 - Willie "The Lion" Smith - Morning Air - 2:58
B2 - Willie "The Lion" Smith - Relaxin' - 3:47
B3 - Willie "The Lion" Smith - Rippling Water - 2:05
B4 - Willie "The Lion" Smith - Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea - 4:02
B5 - Willie "The Lion" Smith - Tango La Caprice - 3:57
B6 - Willie "The Lion" Smith - Concentratin' - 4:01

Credits:
    Composed By – Luckey Roberts (tracks: A1 to A6), Willie "The Lion" Smith (tracks: B1 to B3, B5, B6)
    Design [Cover] – Guidi
    Liner Notes – Nat Hentoff
    Photography By – Lee Friedlander
    Producer – Lester Koenig
    Recorded By – David B. Hancock

Label: Good Time Jazz – S10035
Original Release: 1960
Genre: Jazz
Style: Ragtime, Dixieland