In a Mellow Mood
The other night I was sitting in the living room with The Lovely Mrs. JC and we she was reading and I wanted to put on some music. I asked what she would like and she asked for something mellow. I said I could do that. So I went up to the shelves and stared for a while, you know, how you just stare at an open refrigerator waiting for inspiration. For “mellow” my go-to choices would typically be Bill Evans or Coltrane Ballads or perhaps a Chet Baker, since The Lovely Mrs. JC is a fan of all of the above. But I wanted something different and I somehow settled on a Johnny Hodges record, In a Mellow Tone, Norgran 1092. Normally, Hodges is not someone that I would put on the turntable, but she asked for mellow and mellow was actually in the title of this record and it had always been one of my favorite Hodges LPs. Listening to it was quite a revelation. The music is of a pre-bop vintage, but it is actually quite timeless and absolutely beautiful. If you have it, put it on, and perhaps pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy. From there, I wanted to move to something a little bit more modern and I chose
Dexter Gordon, Getting’ Around, Blue Note 4204. I only did side one with Manha De Carnaval and Who Can I Turn To. Another great choice. This is also a superbly recorded LP, and I can see why its value keeps rising in the collectibles market. From there I went to an old standby, Getz-Gilberto on Verve and closed the set with Paul Desmond and Jim Hall, First Place Again on Warner Brothers. All and all it was a successful play list. I was listening quite intently and was quite pleased. The Lovely Mrs. JC was listening as background music and she was pleased as well. So there it is, a mellow playlist for you all. Anyone have any suggestions for the next time around?
Nice call. I listen to Hodges’ record Blues-A-Plenty for the same reason. Always enjoyable.
Al, I recently picked up a WLP copy of “Night Lights” by Gerry Mulligan on Philips. Although Mulligan has zero collectible value, Mrs. JC will be pleased with the great mellow music!
Terry — someone recently turned me on to the Gerry Mulligan Song Book on World Pacific. Tremendous record.
Terryfromflorida, I whole hardily agree! Mulligan’s piano playing on Night Lights is so heart felt. Al, I would recommend “Let’ Em Roll” by John Patton. Just the last 2 tracks on side One, Latona and The Shadow of Your Smile, are mellow but it’s 14 minutes of heaven.
Don’t forget Mulligan Meets Webster on Verve. Great interplay between the two horns.
Tommy Flanagan Moodville Lp is a nice mellow one…
I would like to sell my Jazz albums collection. I also have bluenote artists albums.
Not the whole album but Grant Green Idle Moments.
I agree…….Night Lights is a GEM! It doesn’t get much respect. Therefore it can be had at a reasonable rate.
Mike C had the right idea,they didn’t call those Prestige “Moodsville” for nothin’ you know! Take your pick they are all great and nobody could record a ballad like R.V.G. No need to go any further.
Hi Al. This is a reissue of Johnny Hodges Norgran 1004 – Memories of Ellington.
The Art Tatum Ben Webster quartet on Verve…
Damn, i just missed out on that Blue Note Lee Morgan Indeed LP, but only just…..it went for US$7786.00!
Yeah right….as if I would have been anywhere close; in my currency this equates to NZD$11,865.29
Imagine adding the dreaded Global Shipping Program cost onto this price!
Here is the link in case you missed it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEE-MORGAN-INDEED-RARE-AS-RARE-CAN-BE-Orig-Lexington-Ave-MONO-Blue-Note-1538-/281857061583?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=0HjV61ksHTa%252FF5nAWfiP%252Ba%252Fkrag%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Michel — Tatum/Webster on Verve is on my all-time list. I play it all the time when the wife asks for mellow. Thanks for jogging my memory.
just a tip: Jimmy Hamilton – Can´t help Swinging on Swingsville ( Prestige ) or Kenny Burrel feat. Coleman Hawkings on Moodsville ( sorry title forgotten )… More mellow doesn´t go.
it´s not my day but : Bluesy Burrel feat. Coleman Hawkins !
Just picked up Bluesy (spelled Bluesey on the record) Burrell this Sunday, great record!
LP was relisted 2 days later. And I think was then pulled down again. Rumor has it the seller is a hassle to deal with. Who knows what happened?
“Mellow” must always include MJQ. The vibes sooth in a way that no horn can.