Hal Mckusick • Now's The Time

 

Review
by Scott Yanow  
The decision to include just seven of the twelve numbers from Hal McKusick's Isn't It Romantic recording and eight of the ten from Cross Section: Saxes on this CD reissue is unfortunate, making this a so-called "best-of" set; why not reissue three McKusick dates (including Jazz at the Academy) complete on two CDs so valuable music is not lost? McKusick, a fine cool-toned altoist who sometimes recalls Paul Desmond a bit, also plays some floating atmospheric bass clarinet on these performances. Four of the titles feature a four-sax septet on two arrangements apiece by George Handy and Ernie Wilkins; the latter's interpretation of "Now's the Time" harmonizes Charlie Parker's original recorded solo à la Supersax. Otherwise McKusick is matched with trumpeter Art Farmer in a quintet/sextet with either Eddie Costa or Bill Evans on piano, The arrangements (by Farmer, Al Cohn, Manny Albam, Jimmy Giuffre, or George Russell) are sometimes complex but always lightly swinging, leaving plenty of space for the horns to solo. Recommended to those listeners who do not already have the more complete LPs.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/nows-the-time-mw0000176625

Artist Biography by Scott Yanow

A fine cool-toned altoist and an occasional clarinetist, Hal McKusick worked with the big bands of Les Brown, Woody Herman (1943), Boyd Raeburn (1944-1945), Alvino Rey (1946), Buddy Rich, and Claude Thornhill (1948-1949). In the 1950s, in addition to his work with Terry Gibbs and Elliot Lawrence, he was a busy and versatile studio musician. During 1955-1958, McKusick recorded nine albums of material as a leader for Jubilee, Bethlehem, Victor, Coral, New Jazz, Prestige, and Decca. Those small-group recordings, although basically cool bop, sometimes used very advanced arrangements, including charts by George Handy, Manny Albam, Gil Evans, Al Cohn, Jimmy Giuffre, and particularly George Russell. Hal McKusick died in April 2012 at the age of 87.

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hal-mckusick-mn0000660389/biography

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Reseña
por Scott Yanow  
La decisión de incluir sólo siete de los doce números de la grabación de Hal McKusick Isn't It Romantic y ocho de los diez de Cross Section: Saxes en esta reedición en CD es desafortunada, haciendo de este un supuesto "best-of" set; ¿por qué no reeditar tres fechas de McKusick (incluyendo Jazz at the Academy) completas en dos CDs para que no se pierda música valiosa? McKusick, un fino contralto de tono fresco que a veces recuerda un poco a Paul Desmond, también toca un clarinete bajo atmosférico y flotante en estas actuaciones. Cuatro de los títulos cuentan con un septeto de cuatro saxofonistas en dos arreglos de George Handy y Ernie Wilkins; la interpretación de este último de "Now's the Time" armoniza el solo original grabado de Charlie Parker à la Supersax. Los arreglos (de Farmer, Al Cohn, Manny Albam, Jimmy Giuffre o George Russell) son a veces complejos, pero siempre ligeramente oscilantes, dejando mucho espacio para los solos de vientos. Recomendado a los oyentes que aún no posean los LP más completos.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/nows-the-time-mw0000176625

Biografía del artista por Scott Yanow

Hal McKusick trabajó con las grandes bandas de Les Brown, Woody Herman (1943), Boyd Raeburn (1944-1945), Alvino Rey (1946), Buddy Rich y Claude Thornhill (1948-1949). En la década de 1950, además de su trabajo con Terry Gibbs y Elliot Lawrence, fue un músico de estudio ocupado y versátil. Durante 1955-1958, McKusick grabó nueve álbumes de material como líder para Jubilee, Bethlehem, Victor, Coral, New Jazz, Prestige y Decca. Esas grabaciones en grupos pequeños, aunque básicamente cool bop, a veces usaban arreglos muy avanzados, incluyendo gráficos de George Handy, Manny Albam, Gil Evans, Al Cohn, Jimmy Giuffre, y particularmente George Russell. Hal McKusick murió en abril de 2012 a la edad de 87 años.

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hal-mckusick-mn0000660389/biography

Tracks:
1 - Whisper Not
Written-By – Benny Golson
2 - You're My Thrill
Written-By – Jay Gorney, Sidney Clare
3 - It Never Entered My Mind
Written-By – Richard Rodgers - Lorenz Hart*
4 - Strastuspunk
Written-By – George Russell
5 - The Last Day Of Fall
Written-By – George Handy
6 - Now's The Time
Written-By – Charlie Parker
7 - The End Of A Love Affair
Written-By – Edward Redding*
8 - Larue
Written-By – Clifford Brown
9 - Down And Dirty
Written-By – Al Cohn
10 - Alone Together
Written-By – Howard Dietz - Arthur Schwartz*
11 - Gone With The Wind
Written-By – Allie Wrubel, Herbert Magidson
12 - Ponsu
Written-By – Art Farmer
13 - Isn't It Romantic
Written-By – Lorenz Hart - Richard Rodgers*
2:17
14 - For Art's Sake
Written-By – Al Cohn
15 - Old Devil Moon
Written-By – Burton Lane, E.Y. Harburg


Credits:
    Alto Saxophone – Frank Socolow (tracks: 1, 5, 6, 8), Hal McKusick (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5 to 8)
    Alto Saxophone, Clarinet [Bass] – Hal McKusick (tracks: 3, 9 to 15)
    Baritone Saxophone – Jay Cameron (tracks: 1, 5, 6, 8)
    Bass – Milt Hinton (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 9 to 15), Paul Chambers (3) (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8)
    Drums – Charlie Persip (tracks: 2, 4, 7), Connie Kay (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8), Gus Johnson (tracks: 9 to 15)
    Guitar – Barry Galbraith (tracks: 2, 4, 7)
    Piano – Bill Evans (tracks: 1 to 8), Eddie Costa (tracks: 9 to 15)
    Producer [Original] – Marv Holzman*, Sonny Lester
    Reissue Producer – Orrin Keepnews
    Tenor Saxophone – Dick Hafer (tracks: 1, 5, 6, 8)
    Trumpet – Art Farmer (tracks: 2 to 4, 7, 9 to 15)

Notes:
#1,5,6,8 : Recorded New York, March 28, 1958
#3 : Recorded New York, March 25, 1958
#2,4,7 : Recorded New York, April 7, 1958
#9-15 : Recorded New York, February 4-6, 1957

Label:    Decca Jazz – GRD-651
Country:    US
Released:    1995
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Bop, Cool Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/2489204-Hal-McKusick-Nows-The-Time-1957-1958

 

 

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