Ever since I discovered the Dirty Dozen Brass Band I've been excited about the sound of the barytone sax. Obviously, it's a little bit silly to be thrilled about a sound and not the music it's used for, and I guess it's a whole anyway, but the lower register of the bary sax just moves me. A couple of years back I went to see Duke Robillard live in Paris and there was a barytone sax player with him, Doug James. I really enjoyed his playing, and purchased his album Blow Mr Low. My favourite track on that album is a slow jazz number called Blues for Leo, and the sleevenotes mentioned 50s barytone plater Leo Parker as the Leo in the title. Ever since, I've been looking for music by Leo Parker, but never found it here in France.
A couple of weeks back - in London - I stumbled upon Leo Parker's Blue Note debut Let Me Tell You 'bout it. Turns out this 1961 release was to be his swansong too; Leo Parker passed away four months after recording that album. His death propelled him straight from future landmark jazz artist status to that of obscure oldie. Listening to this album, I'm pretty sure you'll agree it's a shame.
The instrumentation and feel of this record is quite typical of Blue Note releases of the day: drums, double-bass and piano form a discreet but swinging rhythm section, and one or two other horns contribute harmonies and/or choruses. Overall, Let Me Tell You 'bout it has a relaxed feel to it and it's very accessible jazz with deep roots in blues and church gospel. There's a variety of pieces, some uptempo like TCTB and the opener Glad Lad, both featuring really nice harmonies where the particular tone of the bary really shines.
Probably the defining track on that record however is Blue Leo, a slow and increadibly poignant blues where Leo plays over an extremely sparse background laid by the rhythm section. While he doesn't abuse the kick in the lower register (which I tend to like, did I tell you) his tone is pure velvet, just stunningly beautiful. I understand where Doug James got the inspiration for Blues for Leo!
Anyway, Let Me Tell You 'bout it really is a gem, and is a great addition to my collection of 60s jazz. I strongly recommend this album if you're a jazz or blues fan who likes a powerful tone, great sounding harmonies and swing.
It sounds good, I have already ordered a copy. Thanks for the recomendation.
Posted by: Edu Calle | June 25, 2007 at 09:38 PM