EARL HINES - Once Upon a Time (1966 vinyl)

Описание: "Upon a Time in the days of the Great Society, the citizens of Fun City were subjected to many and various hardships. After sources of light and power had wholly failed them, and they had been cast into Stygian Darkness, they were next deprived of their normal means of transport. Some strode long miles to their places of Labor through streets choked with the chariots and carts of farmers, shepherds and peasants from all the countryside around. Others meditated in lonely chambers on ways to improve the lot of their harassed fellow-men.

"One such, with much faith in the healing power of Music, had a vision of bringing together so noble a company of musicians that the minds of the citizens could not but be lifted up out of the Slough of Despond.

"It happened that there was within the city a Consort of Players whose leader and certain others were many leagues away, beyond communication. The Visionary decided to summon the most famous of those who remained to make plans for a Musical Cele-bration, and he sent messengers running through the streets to the houses of John Cornelius Hodges and Lawrence Brown. These twain came in due course to the appointed meeting place.

"Now at that time the Fatha, Earl Hines, a great player of the piano, had come to the East, and him they had known for many years, and him they forthwith chose to head their company. There was also, within the northern boundaries of the city, an associate of yesterday, a formidable beater of hides, one Sonny Greer, and they sent word that he should come to them with all dispatch, bringing his tambours large and small.

"Of their original company, they counted on Russell Procope, James Hamilton and Paul Gonsalves, all three Fellows of the Reed; and on
William Anderson and George Cooper, proud
members of the Brass Family. Recognizing an insufficiency of brass, they thought of those players of the trumpet whose music and company had pleasured them much in days gone by: so their word went forth to Raymond Nance and Clark Terry and Bill Berry, and these three came gladly with their horns to the gather-ing. To sound the bass, they called upon Richard Davis of the Lion's Head, and upon Aaron Bell, who had been their companion in many a batter'd Caravanserai. One more they needed for the Line of Reed, and none would they have but Harold Ashby, a worthy disciple of their friend and onetime colleague, Benjamin Francis Webster.

""It is good," said The Visionary. "You have chosen well. But let us add the Spice of the Unusual, Stars of other Firmaments, too. Three tenors you have: three clarinets shall you have also. And a further beater of hides to bear the Beat and Burden of the day."

"His meaning was made clear when Charles Ellsworth Russell and Elvin Ray Jones came quietly among them. "Now all is ready," they cried with one accord. "Let us begin!"

"Begin they did, and right joyful were the Sounds they made together.
Now this was no Dream, as you will discover inside, for it all came true..."
Once Upon a Time" (Liner Notes)

I do not own the copyright to the music, the recording and the photos. This video is posted for educational use under Section 17 U.S. Code § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use.

All posts are rendered in old school using restored vinyl LPs. This channel does not use recordings from CDs. As much as possible, I attempted to remove most of the pops and crackles from the original vinyl album. Some remastering was applied to make the performance cut through within the confines of the loudness wars.

Hope you enjoy.

#jazzpiano #bigband #vinylrecord