Search Manic Mark's Blog

Thursday, December 12, 2013

In Motion - The Quartette Tres Bien

Master Charles
"In" Motion
The Exciting Piano And Rhythms Of The Quartette Tres Bien
Produced by Milt Gabler
Decca DL 74791
Decca "white label" promotional
1966

Personnel: Jeter Thompson, Piano - Richard Simmons, Bass - Albert St. James, Drums and Percy James, Bongos and Congas.

Terrific Space Age Jazz Set featuring some of the most striking piano work I've heard. Some credit has to go to Decca for excellent engineering. The instrument/sound separation is excellent

From the back cover: When reviewing the Quartette's last album in "Down Beat," pianist Marian McPartland remarked that "the use of conga drum and bongos seems to point up every little nuance from the piano, and they are played delicately and with a fine-honed touch by James." This masterly touch is well in evidence on Master Charles, a Percy James original, on which Mr. Charles, Jr., takes off sedately. The other James, Albert, comes to the fore in Saint Sylvester, which serves as a reminder that he, too, is an accomplished percussionist, Jeter Thompson, not to be outdone, has created a striking vehicle for his piano in Bad People, a three-part lament. This receives by far the most original interpretation in the set, the cortege section being particularly evocative. Sorrow, drama and relief, as expressed in this performance, should not obscure the fact that the meaning of "bad" is often reversed in jazz, where the baddest people are often the best.

It Ain't Necessarily So
Master Charles
Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
For Heaven's Sake
Saint Sylvester
Love Theme From Madame X
It Could Happen To You
Bad People
Charade
Brother Percy

No comments:

Post a Comment

Howdy! Thanks for leaving your thoughts!