(01 03 05)
Kenny Baker - trumpet, flugelhorn
Ray Premru - bass trumpet, trombone
Mo Miller - french horn
Joe Harriott - alto
Bob Efford - flute, clarinet, bass clarinet
Stan Tracey - piano
Lennie Bush - bass
Bobby Orr - drums
Monty Babson - bongos (01)
(02 04 06 08)
Joe Harriott - alto
William Bennett - flute
Roger Pugh - harpsichord
Dennis Bowden - bass
Bobby Orr - drums
Jack Rothstein - violin
Anthony Gilbert - violin
Kenneth Essex - viola
Charles tunnell - cello
(07)
Joe Harriott - alto
Pat Smythe - piano
01 Saga (Mack, Berkwood) (4:09)
02 Portrait Of Jennie (Robinson) (4:33)
03 Now's The Time (Parker) (3:59)
04 Indian Summer (Herbert) (4:06)
05 Darn That Dream (Van Heusen) (5:42)
06 September Song (Weill) (4:23)
07 Abstract Doodle (Harriott, Smythe) (3:31)
08 Mr Blueshead (Mack) (3:54)
EMI Columbia lp SCX 6249
Recorded 1967
Contributed by bluebird, who writes
I must admit that I was quite disappointed with it. Not for Joe's playing, which is up to his always high standards and quite beautiful in places, but for the turgid arrangements by David Mack (anyone ever heard of him?). The use of a harpsichord on some tracks adds to the general soporific atmosphere and the strings do absolutely nothing for the music. The vibes player on 'Darn That Dream' is probably Stan Tracey, the pianist on the small group tracks, but there is no mention of vibes in the sleeve notes. The music does come to life in one or two places so it cannot be completely written off though. Anything with Joe is worth hearing for his playing alone.
All the tracks were recorded in London during 1967 - no other dates are mentioned - four are with strings, three have a smallish group and one has Joe playing a freeform piece just with pianist Pat Smythe.
There are far better examples of Joe Harriott around but this lp has never been re-issued on cd and is quite hard to find these days so it probably has some curiosity value at least.
FLAC with lp cover scans.
April 28 2014 : The diligence of jazzandylan has once more been brought to bear on the front cover. Above is an improved version which you can copy from here if you wish. Thanks to him.
Thanks Rodney, Jazzuk and Bluebird! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteDavid Mack made a very interesting lp with Shake Keane called New Directions - there's an article about it in Max Harrison's Jazz Retrospect which you might be able to get from the local library. And don't be put off by Bluebird's comments - this has been one of my favourite Harriott lps for 40-odd years, so many thanks for reviving it.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am certainly very pleased to get PERSONAL PORTAIT - I've been after it for quite a while now. I haven't actually heard it yet but the David Mack aspect does interest me; I have a digitised copy of his (only?) album NEW DIRECTIONS - ESSAYS FOR JAZZ BAND BY DAVID MACK which is much more enjoyable than the rather pompous title portends.
ReplyDeleteSee here - http://www.jazzdiscography.com/Leaders/MackDavid-ldr.php for some more info.
It may surprise many - and it certainly surprised me when I was searching for it a few years back - to find that copies of the US edition are stil available, quite cheaply from a very responsive seller - http://www.justabuzz.com/serenus.shtml
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI did not know this album but I have a rip of the David Mack Orchestra with Shake Keane (I kinda collect everything i can find with Shake Keane).
ReplyDeleteThanks to Greg for the information that this LP is still available. Definitely one to add to my collection.
Regards from Mauritius, my new base for the time being.
Cheers
Boogieman
I am pleased that I decided to give this a listen in spite of bluebird's reservations. I enjoyed the variety on the album - one to keep. I only saw Joe play once - a poetry and jazz concert with his quintet which included Michael Garrick and Shake Keane at Brixton Town Hall in the 1960s. My thanks to all concerned for making this available.
ReplyDeletehttps://cjoint.net/?bpnqaxojdr
ReplyDeleteJust caught up with this one. Sounds interesting, thanks to all concerned in putting it up.
ReplyDelete