Don Byas - The Chronological Classics- 1952 '2004

Tracks list

Tracklist

01. Somebody Loves Me (2:52)
02. I Cover the Waterfront (4:05)
03. Dont Blame Me (3:41)
04. Old Folks at Home (3:18)
05. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (2:56)
06. Riviera Blues (Blues a la Don) (3:03)
07. You Can Depend on Me (2:28)
08. That Old Feeling (2:27)
09. Laura (4:16)
10. Wheel of Fortune (2:54)
11. Please, Mister Sun (3:26)
12. Rose de Picardie (2:58)
13. Lenfant et la rose (2:42)
14. I Hear a Rhapsody (3:49)
15. Pleurs (3:04)
16. Just a Gigolo (3:05)
17. Cant Help Lovin That Man (3:22)
18. Nice Work If You Can Get It (3:02)
19. Im in the Mood for Love (3:12)
20. Lover (3:13)
21. Lazy River (3:26)
22. On the Sunny Side of the Street (3:10)
23. My Blue Heaven (3:15) 

The eighth volume in the complete recordings of Oklahoma native Carlos Wesley
Don Byas consists of 23 recordings he made in Paris during the spring and summer
of 1952. Nine wonderful sides recorded for the Blue Star label on April 10th of
that year are classic Byas -- lots of lush ballads and an occasional kicker --
with excellent rhythm support by pianist Art Simmons, bassist Joe Benjamin, and
drummer Bill Clark. The remaining tracks presented here were originally issued
on the Vogue label. Six lovely melodies recorded on May 21st feature guitarist
Marcel Bianchi and bassist Pierre Michelot, while eight tunes rendered on July
18th are enhanced by the addition of a vibraphone. Byas was both a master of
romantic exposition and a formidable improviser at brisk tempos, comparable to
Coleman Hawkins yet possessed of a spirit entirely his own. This material will
be new to some of those who live outside of Europe, and for this reason the
producers of the Classics Chronological Series are to be warmly commended for
having brought out another excellent volume of vintage jazz music for all to
hear.

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