Harold Mabern • Mr. Lucky

 

Review
by Ken Dryden  
It was hard to miss Sammy Davis Jr. during the 1960s, as he was prominent on the radio with a number of hits, as well as singing, dancing, and doing comedy on TV and acting in films. Yet the contributions of this talented entertainer have been overlooked since his death in 1990. Harold Mabern has long thought of paying tribute to him and this 2012 release conveys the joy of Davis on-stage, even without vocals. The pianist is joined by tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, bassist John Webber, and drummer Joe Farnsworth, with a mix of songs from musicals, movies and Davis' hit records. The quartet's swinging take of "Mr. Lucky" features strong solos by Mabern and Alexander, a working relationship that dates back to the dawn of the tenor saxophonist's career two decades earlier. Mabern's "Soft Shoe Trainin' with Sammy" fits the late entertainer perfectly, an upbeat dance number with the pianist emulating Davis' adept dancing, an intricate solo by Webber, and Alexander's robust tenor, all driven by Farnsworth's light brushwork. Alexander's vocal-like tenor is the centerpiece of the driving take of "Night Song." Mabern's touching piano solo of "Hey There" is elegant and romantic; it is easy to imagine an approving Davis standing by his side, singing with him. The rhythm section's subtle take of "What Kind of Fool Am I?" utilizes plenty of space, with Mabern's shimmering piano supported flawlessly by his bandmates. https://www.allmusic.com/album/mr-lucky-a-tribute-to-sammy-davis-jr-mw0002405655

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Reseña
por Ken Dryden  
Era difícil pasar por alto a Sammy Davis Jr. durante la década de 1960, ya que destacaba en la radio con numerosos éxitos, además de cantar, bailar y hacer comedia en televisión y actuar en películas. Sin embargo, las contribuciones de este talentoso artista se han pasado por alto desde su muerte en 1990. Harold Mabern pensó hace tiempo en rendirle homenaje y este lanzamiento de 2012 transmite la alegría de Davis sobre el escenario, incluso sin voz. El pianista está acompañado por el saxofonista tenor Eric Alexander, el bajista John Webber y el batería Joe Farnsworth, con una mezcla de canciones de musicales, películas y discos de éxito de Davis. Mr. Lucky" del cuarteto cuenta con potentes solos de Mabern y Alexander, una relación de trabajo que se remonta a los albores de la carrera del saxofonista tenor dos décadas antes. Soft Shoe Trainin' with Sammy" de Mabern encaja perfectamente con el difunto artista, un número de baile alegre en el que el pianista emula el hábil baile de Davis, un intrincado solo de Webber y el robusto tenor de Alexander, todo ello conducido por la ligera pincelada de Farnsworth. El tenor vocal de Alexander es la pieza central de "Night Song". El conmovedor solo de piano de Mabern en "Hey There" es elegante y romántico; es fácil imaginar a un Davis aprobador a su lado, cantando con él. La sutil versión de la sección rítmica de "What Kind of Fool Am I?" utiliza mucho espacio, con el brillante piano de Mabern apoyado impecablemente por sus compañeros de banda. https://www.allmusic.com/album/mr-lucky-a-tribute-to-sammy-davis-jr-mw0002405655

 

haroldmabern.jazzgiants.net ...

Tracks:
1 - The People Tree
2 - As Long As She Needs Me
3 - Soft Shoe Tranin' with Sammy
4 - Hey There
5 - I've Gotta Be Me
6 - Mr. Lucky
7 - What Kind of Fool Am I?
8 - Night Song
9 - Something's Gotta Give


Credits:
    Bass – John Webber (2) (tracks: 1-3,5-9)
    Design – Brad Wrolstad
    Drums – Joe Farnsworth (tracks: 1-3,5-9)
    Engineer, Mixed By, Mastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
    Executive-Producer – Joe Fields
    Photography – J. Flint (2)
    Photography By – Alan Nahigian
    Piano, Producer – Harold Mabern
    Producer – Don Sickler
    Tenor Saxophone – Eric Alexander (tracks: 1-3,5,6,8,9)

Note:
Recorded May 10, 2012

Label:    HighNote Records, Inc. – HCD 7237
Country:    US
Released:    2012
Genre:    Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/15565110-Harold-Mabern-Mr-Lucky-A-Tribute-To-Sammy-Davis-Jr

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