Juice A-plenty (2 Lps On 1 Cd)

 

Billy Strayhorn & Johnny Hodges

 

Featuring: Billy Strayhorn (arr, cond) & Johnny Hodges (as), with Cat Anderson, 'Shorty' Baker, Clark Terry (tp), Ray Nance (cnt, vln), Lawrence Brown (tb), Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney (reeds), Jimmy Jones (p), Aaron Bell (b), Sam Woodyard (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 762
BAR CODE: 8427328607629 

Both albums collected here are delightful reminders not only of Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington’s alter ego as composer and pianist, but also of one of the most beautiful jazz instrumental voices ever – the alto saxophone of Johnny Hodges. 

The Duke doesn’t appear on either album, but these big band settings are the Ellington orchestra in all but name. On 1961’s “Johnny Hodges, Soloist. Billy Strayhorn and The Orchestra”, with Strayhorn conducting and Jimmy Jones at the piano, Hodges is the main soloist and in his hands the familiar repertoire emerges timeless and fresh. A great blues player, he shines on Jeep’s Blues, Juice A-Plenty and Tailor Made, and he and the band stamp their nonpareil identity on the otherworldly voiced Azure and Day Dream. Trombonist Lawrence Brown, whose impeccable control and individuality matched Hodges’, has several solo spots and a fine feature on Stardust.

From 1958, “Billy Strayhorn!!! Live!!!” is a laid-back, let-your-hair-down affair with Strayhorn at the piano and the band swinging exultantly. Hodges surfs it like a master, notably on In a Mellow Tone, a robust Jeep’s Blues, and swings immaculately on All of Me and On the Sunny Side of the Street. Also featured inimitably are Ray Nance, Shorty Baker and Harry Carney – and the equally unique sound of the Ellington band in full cry.

—Ray Comiskey


Tracklisting:

01. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore 
(Ellington-Hodges) 2:58
02. I’ve Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good 
(Ellington-Webster) 3:34
03. Gal From Joe’s (Ellington) 2:25
04. Your Love Has Faded (Ellington-Strayhorn) 2:57
05. I’m Just a Lucky So and So 
(Ellington-David) 3:20
06. Jeep’s Blues (Ellington-Hodges) 3:17
07. Day Dream (Ellington-Strayhorn) 3:54
08. Juice A-Plenty (Hodges) 3:17
09. Azure (Ellington) 2:32
10. Tailor Made (Hodges-Mullens) 3:34
12. Things Ain’t What They Used to Be 
(Persons-Mercer-Ellington) 2:47
13. Jeep’s Blues (Ellington-Hodges) 3:47
14. Mr. Gentle & Mr. Cool (Ellington-Rembert) 7:00
15. In a Mellow Tone (Ellington) 2:34
16. All of Me (Marks-Simons) 2:28
17. Sophisticated Lady (Ellington-Parish-Mills) 3:30
18. Passion Flower (Strayhorn) 4:59
19. On the Sunny Side of the Street 
(McHugh-Fields) 4:00


Sources:

Tracks #1-11, from the album
“Johnny Hodges, Soloist. Billy Strayhorn
and Orchestra” (Verve V6-8452)

Tracks #12-19, from the album
“Billy Strayhorn!!! Live !!!”
(Roulette SR52119)


Personnel:

JOHNNY HODGES, SOLOIST. BILLY STRAYHORN & ORCHESTRA

Harold “Shorty” Baker, Cat Anderson, Bill Berry, Ed Mullens, Howard McGhee (on #5,9 & 10), trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Quentin Jackson, Chuck Connors, trombone Russell Procope, clarinet, alto sax; Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet, tenor sax; Johnny Hodges, alto sax; Paul Gonsalves, tenor sax; Harry Carney, baritone sax, bass clarinet Jimmy Jones, piano; Aaron Bell, bass; Sam Woodyard, drums. Billy Strayhorn, arranger, conductor.

Recorded in New York City, December 11 & 12 (#4,5,7,8 & 10), 1961.


BILLY STRAYHORN!!! LIVE !!!

Harold “Shorty” Baker, Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, trumpet; Ray Nance, cornet, violin Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope, alto sax; Paul Gonsalves, tenor sax Harry Carney, baritone sax; Billy Strayhorn, piano; Jimmy Woode, bass; Sam Woodyard, drums.

Recorded in Chicago, 1958.



Original recordings produced by 
Creed Taylor (Verve) / Teddy Reig (Roulette)

Cover photos: Charles Stewart (Verve) 
and Ely Besalel (Roulette)

This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol


Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered