Craft Recordings releases a re-mastered vinyl of a trend-setting Broadway jazz album.
Shelly Manne & His Friends – My Fair Lady – Contemporary Records C3527 (1956)/Craft Recordings CR00391 (2023) Acoustic Sounds Series 180-gram stereo vinyl, 35:56 ****1/2:
(Shelly Manne – dums; André Previn – piano; Leroy Vinnegar – double bass)
The Broadway songbook has always been fertile ground for jazz artists. Composers like Gershwin, Rodgers, Bernstein and many others have injecting complexity into songwriting that facilitates improvisation. Scores from Porgy And Bess, West Side Story and Pal Joey have seen various jazz reincarnations of key songs. When drummer Shelly Manne, pianist Andre Previn and double bassist Leroy Vinnegar entered the Contemporary Studios in 1956, the goal was to record versions of different Broadway tunes. Their producer, Lester Koenig suggested that they include numbers from the current hit show, My Fair Lady. This beloved musical by Lerner and Lowe had a plethoras of memorable titles and would become a popular movie.
Craft Recordings has released a re-mastered 180-gram vinyl of Shelly Manne & His Friends – My Fair Lady. This would be a trend-setting project…the first album consisting of songs from a single play. The trio demonstrated great chemistry, and the album became a best seller. Side 1 opens with the jubilant, “Get Me To The Church On Time”. Previn establishes the melody, as Manne and Vinnegar power the tempo. The piano solo is spontaneous and impactful with many flourishes. “On The Street Where You Live” captures the romantic essence of the song, but Previn injects some bluesy swagger. In true ballad mode, “I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face” is ethereal and tender. Both Vinnegar and Manne (cymbals) frame the delicate nuances around Previn’s lyrical translation. In an interesting arrangement “Wouldn’t It be Lovely” kicks off with a muscular gospel piano. The music hall vibe is replaced by medium-swing jazz grooves. Vinnegar adds a nimble, breezy solo.
Side 2 continues the transformation with an up tempo cover of “Ascot Gavotte”. Previn’s wildly energetic play is emphatic and displays a wide array of styles. Manne’s drum fills are brilliant, and Vinnegar’s solo percolates. One of the more reinvented numbers is “Show Me”. It is flowing, rhythmic and Previn combines chords and individual notation in a classic jazz translation, featuring rhythmic dexterity and excellent phrasing. On “With A Little Bit Of Luck”, Previn explores the melody in a relaxed pattern with graceful articulation. This is the definitive showcase for this pianist. Picking up the pace, “I Could Have Danced All Night” flat out swings with funky piano runs. There is only a minor allusion to the original melody, and the arrangement is refreshing. It has a catchy Latin vibe and spirited piano chords.
This remastered vinyl of Shelly Mann & His Friends – My Fair Lady is a great achievement. The overall sound mix (Bernie Grundman) is vibrant. The stereo separation (Previn/left speaker; Vinnegar and Manne/right speaker) is superior. It is a shining example of the creativity of the jazz movement in the 1950’s.
—Robbie Gerson
Shelly Manne & His Friends – My Fair Lady
TrackList:
Side 1:
Get Me To The Church On Time;
On The Street Where You Live;
I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face;
Wouldn’t It Be Loverly
Side 2:
Ascot Gavotte;
Show Me;
With A Little Bit Of Luck;
I Could Have Danced All Night
