Friday, July 15, 2011

Willis Jackson - Neapolitan Nights



Willis Jackson - Neapolitan Nights - Prestige PR 7264 - Prestige Original Pressing, Yellow Fireworks Label, Mono

Willis Jackson - Tenor Saxophone
Bucky Pizzarelli - Guitar
Gildo Mahones - Piano [strangely uncredited in the list of players, but then subsequently mentioned in the liner notes]
George Tucker - Bass
Montego Joe - Conga Drum
Bobby Donaldson - Drums

Recorded - [not listed on sleeve, but according to major Prestige discographies - December 19, 1962, Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs,NJ]

Supervised by Ozzie Cadena
Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder
Cover Design - Don Schiltten
Cover Photo - Lawrence N. Shustak

Released - April 13, 1963

Now back to the good stuff. This is somewhat of a landmark posting. I believe that this is the final lost Prestige Soul Jazz side to be unearthed, ever (omitting the odd vocal sides which I might get to eventually): Willis Jackson`s Neapolitan Nights! This is an intriguing and wholly atypical Gator side- no organ and R&B honking to be found here! Instead, it`s a rather elegant small group interpretation of popular Italian folk, romantic songs. A more reflective and subtle side of this Soul Jazz legend, you could say.

I wish Prestige placed him in more of these settings, instead of the typical Soul Jazz combos. Another hard to find Gator side contemporary to this period in 1962 , Bossa Nova Plus (PR 7260) demonstrates well that Gator could thrive in a more conventional modern jazz/modal setting if given the chance. Excellent fidelity from the original and quite booming Prestige mono vinyl.

Get it
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12 comments:

  1. MFS Equipe ♪July 15, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Thank you for this gem. As usual, a great record!
    Best and keep up your great work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BaronJuly 16, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    Thanks from the Baron

    ReplyDelete
  3. BillJuly 16, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    GREAT POST!! Been away for a bit and come back to this!! THANK YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  4. the jazzmanJuly 16, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AndyJuly 16, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    Nice,thanks

    ReplyDelete
  6. JDJuly 17, 2011 at 5:04 AM

    Haven't had a chance to listen yet, but if its as good as many WJs it should be a cracker. Thank you.

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  7. NH manJuly 17, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    Again, beautiful.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  8. LPRJuly 17, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Wow, looking forward to this, many thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  9. deGalloJuly 19, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Thank you for Neopolitan Nights.

    ReplyDelete
  10. grumpyJuly 20, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Yet another gem, many thanks.

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  11. EricJuly 21, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Decades ago I heard this record and treated it with disdain because of the repertoire. Thank you for giving me a chance to reassess my opinion which I am sure will be much more positive this time.
    BTW thank you for all the great postings for which I owe you thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  12. SlyJuly 24, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Wonderful, thank you.

    ReplyDelete

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