Personnel:

Buddy DeFranco (cl), Harry Edison (tp), Bob Hardaway (ts), Herbie Mann (fl, b-cl), Jimmy Rowles, Pete Jolly (p), Victor Feldman (vib), Barney Kessel (g), Curtis Counce, Scott LaFaro (b), Alvin Stoller, Frank De Vito, Mel Lewis (d)

 

The recordings in the present set are typically fluent, compelling De Franco music in a first-class small combo setting. I never abandoned the idea of being able to experience a somatic feeling in addition to the intellectual experience of modern music. Both are essential. You gotta have boththe cerebral and the feel, the funk.

 

Individually De Franco and Harry Sweets Edison blow with the confidence and assertiveness that have become their hallmarks. Kessel takes care of business, lying quietly in the background until it comes his turn to solo, then leaping out to have his say. Jimmy Rowles, Herbie Mann, Bob Hardaway, and the rest of the men playing here are deeply swinging in healthly, mainstream fashion.

 

One of the attractions is the delicacy of some of the ensemble textures and the way in which basic harmonies have been amended to fit the character of these 1959 De Franco Septette. Theres a lot of great listening here whatever your bias.

 

It will be just fine if it does help bring the clarinet back!

 

TRACKLIST:

CD 1

01. Sunday (Conn-Miller-Krueger-Styne) 5:42

02. Between the Devil and the Blue Sea (Arlen-Koehler) 9:19

03. Tea for Two (Youmans-Caesar) 4:55

04. Ballad Medley (11:54)

- 'Round Midnight (Hanighen-Williams-Monk)

- You Don't Know What Love Is (Raye-DePaul)

- How Can We Be Wrong? (Schwartz-Stillman-Dietz)

- Lullaby of the Leaves (Petkere-Young)

- Yesterdays (Kern-Harbach)

05. Blue Lou (Sampson-Mills) 4:28

06. Funky's Oncle (DeFranco-Kessel) 9:02

07. Oh, Lady Be Good! (Gershwin-Gershwin) 4:02

08. Satin Doll (Duke Ellington) 6:06

09. My Funny Valentine (Rodgers-Hart) 3:02

10. Blues for Space Travelers (Barney Kessel) 4:46

 

CD 2

01. Tin Reed Blues (Buddy DeFranco) 7:01

02. Ballad Medley (6:36)

- I'm Glad There Is You (Madeira-Dorsey)

- There's No You (Durgtom-Adair-Hopper)

- These Foolish Things (Strachey-Link-Marvell)

03. Crazy Rhythm (Meyer-Kahn-Caesar) 5:23

04. Just Squeeze Me (Ellington-Gains) 8:44

05. Undecided (Shavers-Robin) 4:04

06. Ja-Da (Bob Carleton) 8:33

07. Ballad Medley (6:32)

- Now I Lay Me Down To Dream (Howard-Fiorito)

- Honey (Simons-Whiting-Gillespie)

- This Love of Mine (Sinatra-Sanacola)

- Darn That Dream (Van Heusen-DeLange)

08. Lulu's Back in Town (Warren-Dubin) 6:02

09. Ballad Medley (5:54)

- Old Folks (Hill-Robinson)

- How Long Has This Been Going On (Gershwin-Gershwin)

- Please (Rainger-Robin)

10. Witty (Buddy DeFranco) 4:22

 

Sources CD 1:

Tracks #1-6, from the album "Generalissimo" (Verve MG V-8363)

Tracks #7-10, from the album "Live Date!" (Verve MG V-8383)

 

Sources CD 2:

Tracks #1-3, from the album "Live Date!" (Verve MG V-8383)

Tracks #4-10, from the album "Bravura" (Verve MG V-8315)

 

Personnel on "Generalissimo":

Harry 'Sweets' Edison (trumpet), Buddy De Franco (clarinet), Bob Hardaway (tenor sax), Jimmy Rowles (piano), Barney Kessel (guitar), Curtis Counce (bass), Alvin Stoller (drums).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, April 2, 1959

 

Personnel on "Live Date!":

Buddy De Franco (clarinet), Herbie Mann (flute), Victor Feldman (vibes), Pete Jolly (piano, accordion), Barney Kessel (guitar), Scott LaFaro (bass), Frank De Vito (drums).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, April 4, 1959

 

Personnel on "Bravura":

Harry Edison (trumpet), Buddy De Franco (clarinet), Herbie Mann (flute, bass clarinet), Jimmy Rowles (piano), Barney Kessel (guitar), Joe Mondragon (bass), Mel Lewis (drums).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on April 5, 1959

 

Liner notes: Leonard Feather, Benny Green & Stephen Frostberg

Original recordings produced by Norman Granz

This CD compilation produced by Jordi Pujol

© 2011 by Fresh Sound Records

 

Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

 

Note about "Live Date!":

In the original liner notes of this album, Bob Hardaway was credited as playing saxophone, while the name of the drummer was ommitted. Later discographies kept Hardaway in the personnel and added Stan Levey as the drummer. The truth of the matter, though, is that the actual drummer was Frank De Vito, and that Bob Hardaway did not play in the recording session of Live Date! at all.

 

This note is meant to shed some light on those inaccuracies. Furthermore, the stereo sound of Live Date! in this set has been considerably improved from the previous CD releases of this album.