Great compositions, amazing support/soloing and Carmen - this recording has it all. The live tracks were recorded at The Great American Music Hall, and the studio tracks in New York, both in 1988. Carmen's voice is strong, showing no signs of the illness that was soon to set in and stay with her until her death in 1994. Thelonious Monk's compositions can be tough enough to cover for the best of instrumentalists, let alone with added lyrics (which were written much later, and by a slew of different lyricists) and making it sound like it was meant specifically for you to perform. McRae & Company deliver - big.
In the liner notes, Carmen states how proud she is of this album and the musicians involved, going on to thank them and say that she would have been lost without them. I find that hard to believe, and listening to her intros on "I Mean You" (which she opens solo ) and "In Walked Bud" (with only drums) dispel any doubt as to her talent or interpretational saavy.
Both saxophonists play exemplary solos. Charlie Rouse, of course, played with Monk for many years, so the terrain of these tunes is his own back yard. Jordan's previous associations with McRae (most notably the McRae album "Any Old Time") surely must have contributed to such simpatico playing on this album. George Mraz's playing is excellent as usual - great tone and solo ideas. Check out his intro and solo on "Straight, No Chaser"(live version). His second solo chorus on that tune alone is worth the price of admission.
The only things one could wish for are that more "live" tracks with Rouse & Willis (only two of the fifteen are live) be included and that the solos in general be longer (most are no more than two chorus'). No matter, this is an amazing effort, as essential for the serious jazz fan as for the "dabbler." Get this recording now!
If you like Carmen McRae, check out:
Carmen McRae Any Old Time
Sarah Vaughan With Clifford Brown
Betty Carter Feed the Fire
Thelonious Monk Brilliant Corners
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong Compact Jazz
psst...you might wanna check out our bebop abode for more features on bebop artists.
