2 LPs on 1 CD 24BIT DIGITALLY REMASTERED STEREO The two enticingly swinging sessions brought together here find pianist Paul Smith in typically well-crafted form, with The Big Men a joyously engaging date in which he is heard performing solo or in a trio. Much skill, considerable feeling, and unceasingly ebullient energy transform this album into a thoroughly listenable program of modern jazz, throughout which his lines show strong classical influence and clear indication of his imposing compositional talent (Theme for Theda). The playing of the trio is crisp and knowing, and there are moments of brilliant musicianship by Smith with the fine support of Vinnegar and Levey, two swingers who keep the pulse vibrant. On Richard Rodgers Broadway musical The Sound of Music, guitarist Barney Kessel s contributions are consistently good, and the rhythm section is unfailingly solid and supportive. Smith, as leader, is utterly relaxed and swinging, while still managing to be viscerally creative in an excellent demonstration of the craftsmanship for which he was noted.
J**Z
Great!
Great!
B**A
Excellent Piano
I'm a huge Paul Smith fan. Love his work.. Would recommend people to check out the CD's he did for his own private label if you can find them.
M**I
Two album set from 59-60
Smith was still active into the 2000s, yet the two albums in this set were not exactly his earliest works. Smith had released nineteen or twenty albums prior to the two in this set. Both of these albums were recorded for Verve at the United Recorders studio in Los Angeles.If you are on the CD's product page there are no sound samples at the time of this review. You can listen to them on the digital album's page at The Paul Smith Trio & Quartet. The Big Men / The Sound of Music , and they will give you an idea of the great music this set contains.The first eleven tracks are the album titled The Big Men, and the first two tracks are Smith's own compositions. They were recorded in two sessions on December 8 and 9, 1959 and feature one of my favorite Los Angeles rhythm sections backing Smith: Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Stan Levey on drums (Levey was an early bebop pioneer who played with Dizzy Gillespie at 16 and was Bird's room mate for a period.)Tracks 11 through 21 are the album titled The Sound of Music that was recorded a month later in a single session on January 8, 1960. Here Smith is backed by another rhythm section of luminaries featuring Barney Kessel on guitar, Morty Corb on bass and Irv Cottler on drums.As an aside, if you are a Paul Smith fan and want to explore more of his work I highly recommend the following compilation: Essential Jazz Magic . That collection was my introduction to Smith's incredible playing and body of work, and it led me to this (and other) albums which I will be reviewing in the coming months.
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