Billy Mitchell - My Song

Описание: Because this is the first album Billy Mitchell has made in 12 years, his name may be new to those of you who have only recently begun to get your heads into jazz. And there will be a great many other people who remember Billy as one of the great arrangers and Sax players from the '50s. During his 12-year absence from the studio, Billy spent a lot of time in Europe playing and writing and has worked with virtually all of the jazz giants - and is truly one himself. Those who do remember will surely join us in saying, ""Welcome back, Billy.""

This album can't be compared with the Massey Hall session featuring Bird, Diz and Bud... nor The Night of The Cooker. But I can truthfully say this album bears the same kind of historical impact.
As with most 'live' sessions, this music wasn't recorded under the best of conditions, but the time was right. The artists sometimes sacrifice optimum sound conditions but more than make it up emotionally. This album was recorded at Sonny's Place, Long Island, on a Saturday night not too long ago. Billy came prepared with a well-knit combo with possibly one of the finest rhythm sections on the East Coast.

""Now's The Time"" was done at the right time and with the right feeling. All four selections are particularly long, reflecting the freedom and the feeling that Billy puts into his playing. ""My Song,"" which opens the album was, of course, Billy's tune. It has a funky bounce to it. After a brief intro Billy lets his emotions be his guide on the tenor solo, and also sets the pace for the rest of the
session, ""T. O. Blues"" is a tribute to our engineer, Tom Owen, who so ably re-mixed and mastered the tapes. Billy felt the dedication was in order. You'll enjoy the opening 12 bars of traditional blues harmonics. You will also hear Billy play one of the best-structured and finest soprano solos on record.

The next tune... the title tune, has been one of my favorites ever since Charlie Parker recorded it. It is a Bird original, but seldom recorded. Not only listeners but musicians and critics also find
this to be a great jazz vehicle. Someone sat in on trumpet here and took the opening chorus with melodic ease and mellow tone, followed with Billy starting to blow, but softly. It almost sounds, for a moment, that Billy's tenor was too small to let loose all the soulful expressions he wants us to share with him. ""Now's The Time"" speaks of the 12 long years he's been working towards this
moment. The last cut is ""Wonderful"" and it's wonderful. Another of Billy's compositions. There is some great Billy Mitchell solo work behind the hard-driving rhythm. This section really generates genuine excitement and is a great closing tune for the album.

About the musicians, let me say that one of the brightest rising jazz stars today is the self-taught guitarist Roland Prince. Prince is an innovator and learner rather than a copier. He plays in octaves and really takes some exquisite solos. He has appeared in New York with several top combos and appears to be one of the major guitarists since the late Wes Montgomery. The pianist Wesley Belcamp came onto the jazz scene while a student of classical music and playing in his high school band. A dedicated musician, he is now working in the New York Public School system and also has backed up such jazz greats as Hank Mobley, Red Rodney and the late and great Ray Nance. Earl May ranks as one of the most capable bassists on the East Coast Jazz Scene. For many years, he led his own trio, spotlighting the fabulous vocalist Gloria Lynne, He appears behind many jazz greats because of his excitement and strength under the soloist. Ron Turso is a drummer full of fire and great technique. He was born and raised in New York City and spent his early years being thoroughly exposed to music, his father and brothers being sax players. From high school, he went into the service, where he was a featured drummer with the Army Band from '68 to '70, and since then has played with such fine musicians as Chet Baker, Al Cohn and, of course, Earl May.

""Now's The Time"" to say again... welcome back, Billy!
John R. Rowland