Personnel:

Billy Taylor (p), Henry Grimes (b), Ray Mosca (d)

 

Billy Taylor (1921-2010) was, of course, one of the most technically gifted jazz pianists, and he managed to impress, displaying his great potential on numerous occasions. The fact that he was classically trained was not a handicap. His intelligent, musical approach was a welcome respite from much of the poorly executed performance technique of the day. That “Soul” music was no stranger to him is evident in his rendition of 'That’s Where It Is.' And, as the opening title, 'Warming Up,' intended to emphasize, and others like 'Easy Like and Coffee Break' in particular demonstrate, there is also a warmth and emotion very substantial mixed with maturity and craftsmanship -- all of which add up easily to enough reasons to explain Taylor’s enduring and widespread popularity.

 

"Custom Taylored" is a clean, well-executed album, offering a dozen examples of Billy Taylor’s tasteful and ever-changing piano talent. The delicate instrumental balance of the trio is another characteristic of Billy Taylor’s perspicacity. The interplay of bassist Henry Grimes and drummer Ray Mosca has been carefully nurtured into a powerful rhythmic mould. The synthesis of the trio is a joy to hear.

 

Billy Taylor showed his most restrained and suggestive moment in "Uptown" recorded live at the Prelude in New York on February 4, 1960. The album title refers not only to the 129th Street location of the club, on the outskirts of Harlem, but also to prevailing musical atmosphere. This was the performance of his new trio with bassist Henry Grimes replacing Earl May and drummer Ray Mosca on the drum stool long held by Ed Thigpen. Both new sidemen are firmly and cohesively blended to the leader and to each other, keeping the jazz pulse throbbing.

 

—Jordi Pujol

 

TRACKLIST:

01. Warming Up (Billy Taylor) 2:26

02. Easy Like (Billy Taylor) 2:31

03. That’s Where It Is (Billy Taylor) 2:42

04. Afterthoughts (Billy Taylor) 2:46

05. Easy Walker (Billy Taylor) 2:42

06. Lonesome Lover (Billy Taylor) 2:25

07. Don’t Bug Me (Billy Taylor) 2:34

08. Coffee Break (Billy Taylor) 3:02

09. Ya Know What I Mean (Billy Taylor) 3:03

10. Native Dancer (Billy Taylor) 2:30

11. Uncle Fuzzy (Billy Taylor) 2:32

12. No Aftertaste (Billy Taylor) 3:01

13. La Petite Mambo (Erroll Garner) 5:52

14. Jordu (Duke Jordan) 4:18

15. Just the Thought of You (Billy Taylor) 5:10

16. Soul Sisters (Billy Taylor) 5:42

17. Moanin’ (Bobby Timmons) 5:18

18. Warm Blue Stream (Cassey-Wayne) 5:06

19. Biddy’s Beat (Billy Taylor) 4:23

20. Cu-Blu (Billy Taylor) 4:10

21. ‘S Wonderful (G. & I. Gershwin) 3:58

 

Sources:

Tracks #1-12, from the Billy Taylor album “Custom Taylored” Sesac N-3001/02-J)

Later reissued as "Warming Up" (Riverside RLP-1195)

[First CD release in 1990 as FSRCD 205]

Tracks #13-21, from the Billy Taylor album “Uptown” (Riverside RLP-1168)

 

Personnel: THE BILLY TAYLOR TRIO

Billy Taylor, piano; Henry Grimes, bass; Ray Mosca, drums.

Tracks #1-12 Recorded in New York, March 26, 1960

Tracks #13-21 Recorded live at the Prelude, New York City, February 4, 1960

 

Original liner notes: Orrin Keepnews (Riverside)

New liner notes by Don Messina

 

Recordings produced by Red Clyde (#1-12) and Orrin Keepnews (#13-21)

This compilation produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol

© 2022 by Fresh Sound Records

 

Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered