Johnny Hodges • The Smooth One

 

Review
by Scott Yanow
This attractive double LP from 1979 includes two complete sessions by altoist Johnny Hodges that were previously unissued at the time. Most unusual is that Hodges contributed 15 of the 19 compositions; the others are "My Melancholy Baby," "Lotus Blossom," and two by clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton. Despite the unfamiliar material, the music is very much in the Duke Ellington style, with an emphasis on blues, ballads, and riff tunes. In addition to Hodges, the other main soloists are trumpeter Harold "Shorty" Baker, tenor saxophonist Ben Webster (on the first date), and trumpeter/violinist Ray Nance (on the second).
https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-smooth-one-mw0000874567

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Reseña
por Scott Yanow
Este atractivo doble LP de 1979 incluye dos sesiones completas del contralto Johnny Hodges que no habían sido editadas en su momento. Lo más inusual es que Hodges contribuyó con 15 de las 19 composiciones; las otras son "My Melancholy Baby", "Lotus Blossom" y dos del clarinetista Jimmy Hamilton. A pesar del material poco familiar, la música está muy en el estilo de Duke Ellington, con énfasis en blues, baladas y melodías con riffs. Además de Hodges, los otros solistas principales son el trompetista Harold "Shorty" Baker, el saxofonista tenor Ben Webster (en la primera fecha) y el trompetista/violinista Ray Nance (en la segunda).
https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-smooth-one-mw0000874567

Tracks:
A1 - First Klass (C'Mon Home)
A2 - Second Klass
A3 - Straight Back
A4 - Steerage
A5 - Third Klass
B1 - Meet The Frog
B2 - Nite Life
B3 - My Melancholy Baby
B4 - Lotus Blossom
B5 - Free For All
C1 - I Told You So
C2 - Starting With You (I'm Through)
C3 - The Hare
C4 - The Things You Miss
C5 - Wiggle Awhile
D1 - Br'Rabbit
D2 - Get Ready
D3 - Peaches
D4 - Hygiene


Credits:
    Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
    Bass – Aaron Bell (tracks: C1 to D4), Ray Brown (tracks: A1 to B5)
    Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton
    Drums – Jo Jones (tracks: A1 to B5), Sam Woodyard (tracks: C1 to D4)
    Guitar, Flute – Les Spann (tracks: A1 to B5)
    Piano – Jimmy Jones (3)
    Producer – Norman Granz
    Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster (tracks: A1 to B5), Harold Ashby (tracks: C1 to D4)
    Trombone – Mitchell "Bootie" Wood* (tracks: C1 to D4), John Sanders (tracks: A1 to B5), Lawrence Brown (tracks: C1 to D4), Quentin Jackson (tracks: A1 to B5)
    Trumpet – Harold Baker, Ray Nance (tracks: C1 to D4)

Two previously unreleased sessions from 1959 and 1960.

Label:    Verve Records – 2632 082, Verve Records – 2637 377, Verve Records – 2637 378
Country:    UK
Released:    1979
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Swing
https://www.discogs.com/release/4721732-Johnny-Hodges-The-Smooth-One

 

 

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