I do wish Billie would have sung two choruses (or more) a little more often (we
do have the alternate takes though). It’s an awfully minor
complaint. There are some great bass and drum pairings across the
set. Of course there’s the classic combo of Walter Page and Jo
Jones, but I’ve also been enjoying John Kirby and Cozy Cole take
care of business together. I have to throw some love in the direction
of Buck Clayton too. In the history books he’s a little
overshadowed by others. But how about that cup mute tone? And his melodic solos and blend with Prez is
top notch. While we’re on the
subject, Prez plays a little clarinet on Disc 4 (“The Very Thought of
You”, “I Got a Date with a Dream”) - always a treat. If you’re
after more clarinet from Prez, check out the Kansas City Sessions
(with Buck and the Basie rhythm section) recorded about a week apart
from this session with Billie in September, 1938.
Although some of
these Dizzy discs are revisits, today’s outing was a new one
for me. It’s nice hearing Dizzy revisiting pieces from the 40s and
setting them next to slightly more contemporary pieces of the time
(1963), hence Something Old, Something New. I can’t say I’ve ever
been much of a fan of James Moody. He fits in well here, and the
flute is a nice touch and today I preferred it over the sax playing,
but he just doesn’t do it for me. I think horn blend and intonation
was bugging me. It’s not always a factor, but today it was catching
a nerve. I just seemed a bit inconsistent. But as a soloist Dizzy was
pretty well on form throughout and that’s why these discs are
getting a spin (although it’s always nice when someone else catches
your ear).
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