George Wallington - Trios And Septet '1951 [1991]

Tracks list

George Wallington's technique was huge. When he played, especially with a trio,
he filled the space around him with tons of piano. He and his instrument were
front and center. But over and above the sheer virtuosity was Wallington's
profound joy in playing. Across the ten trio tracks on this Savoy CD, Wallington
shares that joy with the listener, not only with his playing but with writing
that brims over with melody and invention. Best known as the writer of Godchild,
immortalized on Miles Davis's Birth of the Cool, on these tracks he contributes
eight top-flight originals in a more purely bop vein.

Among the standout tracks is the standard "I'll Remember April" done as a rhumba
that quickly shifts into a double-time test for bassist Curley Russel and
drummer Max Roach. "Fine and Dandy," another standard, is an extraordinary
feature for Roach's brushwork, both in his playing behind the pianist and in a
short, remarkable solo break. Two sextet tracks from 1949 show a more
self-effacing Wallington, as he blends behind horn players Gerry Mulligan, Brew
Moore, and Kai Winding on "Igloo" and on his own "Knockout," which has a
wonderful scat vocal from Buddy Stewart. It's the trio tracks, though, where
Wallington's genius shines, with some of the finest piano that bebop has to
offer.


Tracks:

01 - Twins
02 - Polka dot
03 - I'll remember April
04 - High score
05 - Hyacinth
06 - Joy bell
07 - I didn't know what time it was
08 - Fine and dandy
09 - Knockout
10 - Igloo
11 - Failyland
12 - Racing

Personnel:

Baritone Saxophone – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Curley Russel
Drums – Charlie Perry, Max Roach
Piano – George Wallington
Scat – Buddy Stewart
Tenor Saxophone – Brew Moore
Trombone – Kai Winding
Trumpet – Jerry Floyd 

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