Big BandJimmy Witherspoon - Goin To Kansas City (MCD-1011)
Mosaic Singles
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"‘Spoon wrapped up any conclusions to be drawn from this collection when he said, following the final take of the final tune, “This is the thing. This kind of music has to come back.” - Dom Cerulli, liner notes |
Talk about a forgotten little gem! Jimmy Witherspoon's first full-length album as a leader is a knock-out! Like all great albums, this 1957 date benefits from a confluence of all the right ingredients. The material leans heavily toward immortal Kansas City tunes, made famous by Andy Kirk's Clouds Of Joy with Mary Lou Williams, Joe Turner and Pete Johnson and Jay McShann's band with Walter Brown.
The most inspired notion for this album was reuniting Witherspoon with McShann, who gave him his professional start. Budd Johnson provided swinging, understated arrangements and a first-rate New York group (Emmett Berry, J. C. Higginbotham, Hilton Jefferson, Seldon Powell, Al Sears, Kenny Burrell, Gene Ramey and Mousey Alexander) that achieved the tight, joyous feel of Kansas City swing effortlessly.
Added to the original album are three more tunes from the session that were later issued on a French RCA LP. For 11 of the 13 tunes, we were able to find stereo masters for the first time.
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The Real Deal |
| The great Budd Johnson's swinging small band arrangements, Jay McShann's piano, and the solid Kansas City repertoire provide a perfect setting for Jimmy Witherspoon's authoritative yet subtle vocals. Here are all the shades of his unique voice--from the clear mid-range to the smokey, velvet depths. This Mosaic release is a treasure that just about knocked me off my chair. | |
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this music kicks ass |
| what a great sound. jay on piano is fantastic.great vocals .everyone swings in this session.this album blows me away. | |
Jimmy Witherspoon - Goin To Kansas City (MCD-1011)
Limited Edition: copies
1 CD - $15.00
