Sunday, March 10, 2013

Billy Taylor w/ Oliver Nelson - Midnight Piano



Billy Taylor - Midnight Piano; Lush, Light and Swinging Backgrounds - Capitol T 2302 - Mono

Billy Taylor - Piano
Ben Tucker - Bass
Grady Tate - Drums
[see sleeve] - Orchestra

Arranged and Conducted by Oliver Nelson

Recorded - October 12, 13, 14, 1964 - Capitol New York Studios, New York

Produced by Ben Cavanagh
Recording Engineer - Frank Abbey
Cover - [uncredited]

Released - April 3, 1965

Here's something a bit different from what I'm normally into -e.g bit less on the 'soul' side -  a rather forgotten Billy Taylor big band side on Capitol that I spotted recently at a local record show.  

Taylor has a rather nice, appealing swinging  touch on the piano and  there's some killer arrangements by the great Oliver Nelson which keeps the side bouncing. Material is however, a bit less interesting and a bit too 'commercial' (in a mid 1960s sense).

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11 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 10, 2013 at 7:38 PM

    http://180upload.com/ialv9x67hq1s

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BillMarch 10, 2013 at 9:31 PM

      Thanks for this and Ahmad`s "Greasepaint" It`s good to see you active again.GREAT blog.

      Delete
  2. cvllosMarch 10, 2013 at 9:06 PM

    Server admits to download without instaling anything?
    I didn't find its way.
    Any help would be grateful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 11, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    uncheck "download accelerator" and click on the top download link

    ReplyDelete
  4. grumpyMarch 11, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    Thanks, Preston, looks like my 'cup of tea'!

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  5. PhillipMarch 11, 2013 at 8:49 PM

    Wonderful. Many thanks.

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  6. bongohitoMarch 11, 2013 at 9:29 PM

    wow - fantastic! thanks so uch for taking the time and care. i'm a nelson fanatic and have wanted to hear this *forever*!

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  7. G ManMarch 12, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    Didn´t know this existed. Thank You!

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  8. chuMarch 12, 2013 at 7:11 PM

    Many thanks, preston! Really rare!

    The jazz market was dwindling in the 60s, and the record companies tried various commercial approaches to increase sells. It didn't help in this case, I guess, since this second Capitol album also was Taylor's last. It was the end to a productive decade and Taylor would not record again as a leader for three years.

    Although not a great jazz classic, it is a pleasant listen, showcasing Taylor in different settings. I'm glad to have it.

    Can we now also hope for Taylor's first Capitol album!? It is called "Right Here, Right Now!" and features a big band throughout, with largely the same men as on the big band session on this album, and likewise arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson. It has never been on CD either, and looks promising on paper.

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  9. AnonymousMarch 13, 2013 at 2:03 AM

    Thanks very much, I didn't know about this LP.

    - der bajazzo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Prof. YaffleMarch 13, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete

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