1960
George Shearing Quintet with Nancy Wilson (1961) the Swingin’s Mutual (LP) Capitol (ST 1524)
George Shearing Quintet with Nancy Wilson
the Swingin’s Mutual
1961
Capitol (ST 1524)
produced by Dave Cavanaugh and Tom Morgan
**** recommended
While all of Nancy’s 1960s albums will likely please her serious fans, some dates clearly stand out, and this early one with Shearing is clearly one of them.
The alternating back and forth between instrumental and vocal cuts works wonderfully, like pearls and diamonds lined up in a bracelet, and it causes one to wonder why this form of sequencing isn’t used more often. Instead of forcing the use of vocal fillers–too often an issue with albums of the 60s–this format fills the room with something worth talking about, works like a healthy conversation, and it offers space and repose, allows time for the music to sink into your soul. And with Nancy offering the vocals, the sequencing works like a tease, the instrumentals like head-spinning pauses between kisses.
Along with the two stars, vibraphonist Warren Chiasson and guitarist Dick Garcia get a little time to get their offerings into the conversations. It really doesn’t matter if you prefer Nancy’s jazz dates or her pop ones, this one will please everyone.
— winch (author of
LINK TO SELLERS:
Toots Thielemans (1959) The Soul of Toots Thielemans (LP) Signature (SM 6006)
Toots Thielemans
The Soul of Toots Thieleman
Recorded 1959, released 1960
Signature (SM 6006)
**** recommended
For this 1959 date, Toots is backed wonderfully with three Americans, Ray Bryant (Philly) on piano, Ray’s brother Tom on bass, and Oliver Jackson (Detroit) on drums, all the members helping to set the tone for the meeting and helping bringing Toots into their country, planting the sound deep into American soil, Ray getting plenty of time to get his piano into the conversation.
Of course, as the billing suggests, this is Toot’s album, his last name showing on all the credits of the originals on this set, his playing gracing every selection, the talented Toots alternates between harmonica and electric guitar, even whistling through his original “Brother John” that closes the set.
Toots shows he was not just an outstanding harmonica player, but a great guitar player as well–showing this clearly on cuts such as “Lonesome Road”–showing that the harmonica can color in a selection as much as any horn, and showing that the electric guitar can do the same. While blues and jazz guitar players revealed the ability for the guitar to offer rhythm and lead at the same time, adding electricity offered even more, making it easier for the guitar to fill in the song with colors much like horns had done for centuries.
This whole set is thoroughly enjoyable, a mix of originals by Toots and tunes by others—old tradition songs and jazz standards, Garner’s “Misty,” Reinhardt’s “Nuages,” and Parker’s “Confirmation”–the meeting laid back yet swinging, taut as a congregation yet relaxed as a Sunday afternoon, swinging like a porch swing with autumn in the air, the warmth of summer mixing with the latter parts of the year, youthful as young man, yet thoughtful as an elder. This might not be a great album, but it’s certainly a good one.
— winch (author of
LINKS TO SELLERS:
Girl Group 1960
girl group
Classic sides
s e l e c t i v e
(selected by winch)
1960
“Blue Moon” (Rodgers/Hart)
Bel-Aire Girls Everett (19333) 1960
“Hey Baby” (Hemric/Kay)
“Quiet!” (Hemric/Kay/Mullins)
The Baby Dolls Warner Bros (WB 5086) 1959
“Angel Baby” (David Ponci)
Rosie & The Originals (San Diego) Highland (5001A) 1960
“Tonight’s The Night” (L. Dixon/Shirley Owens)
The Chiffons (The Bronx) Big Deal (6003A) 1960
“Tonight’s The Night” (L. Dixon/Shirley Owens)
The Shirelles (New Jersey) Scepter (120B) 1960
Sounds Good 