Review by Ken Dryden
Although Toots Thielemans is far better-known for his virtuoso harmonica playing, he sticks exclusively to guitar on this pair of studio dates, initially taped in 1961 for Polydor. Accompanied by pianist Georges Arvanitas, bassist Roland Lobligeois, and drummer Philippe Combelle, Thielemans leads a primarily laid-back session with the focus on the leader, covering standards ("Willow Weep for Me" and "We'll be Together Again"), adding a soft wordless background vocal to "Satin Doll," and giving a loping treatment to Milt Jackson's "Bags' Groove." No matter that none of Thielemans' compositions have come close to matching the widespread popularity of his huge hit, "Bluesette"; two blues he wrote for this date, "Le Trottoir" and "Flirt" (the latter of which is the only track to feature his famous whistling), are very enjoyable. Even if this Verve CD reissue falls short of being an essential purchase, any fan of Toots Thielemans will want to acquire it.
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Reseña de Ken Dryden
Aunque Toots Thielemans es mucho más conocido por su virtuoso toque de armónica, se pega exclusivamente a la guitarra en este par de fechas de estudio, grabadas inicialmente en 1961 para Polydor. Acompañado por el pianista Georges Arvanitas, el bajista Roland Lobligeois y el baterista Philippe Combelle, Thielemans dirige una sesión principalmente relajada con el enfoque en el líder, cubriendo estándares ("Willow Weep for Me" y "We'll be Together Again"), agregando una suave voz de fondo sin palabras a "Satin Doll", y dando un tratamiento loping a "Bags' Groove" de Milt Jackson. No importa que ninguna de las composiciones de Thielemans se haya acercado a la amplia popularidad de su gran éxito, "Bluesette"; dos blues que escribió para esta fecha, "Le Trottoir" y "Flirt" (este último es el único tema en el que aparece su famoso silbido), son muy agradables. Aunque esta reedición del CD de Verve no sea una compra esencial, cualquier fan de Toots Thielemans querrá adquirirlo.
Tracklist
1 Winter In Madrid 2:46
2 Willow Weep For Me 5:33
3 Satin Doll 2:40
4 Bag's Groove 3:20
5 We'll Be Together Again 3:48
6 Hot Toddy 2:24
7 Try A Little Tenderness 4:03
8 Talk To Me 3:21
9 Le Trottoir 2:44
10 Honeysuckle Rose 3:00
11 Flirt 2:48
Credits
Double Bass – Roland Lobligeois
Drums – Philippe Combelle
Guitar – Toots Thielemans
Piano – George Arvanitas
Whistling – Toots Thielemans (tracks: 10, 11)
Recorded January 3 and 4, 1961 at the Polydor studio, Paris
2 Willow Weep For Me 5:33
3 Satin Doll 2:40
4 Bag's Groove 3:20
5 We'll Be Together Again 3:48
6 Hot Toddy 2:24
7 Try A Little Tenderness 4:03
8 Talk To Me 3:21
9 Le Trottoir 2:44
10 Honeysuckle Rose 3:00
11 Flirt 2:48
Credits
Double Bass – Roland Lobligeois
Drums – Philippe Combelle
Guitar – Toots Thielemans
Piano – George Arvanitas
Whistling – Toots Thielemans (tracks: 10, 11)
Recorded January 3 and 4, 1961 at the Polydor studio, Paris
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