Dave Bowman Archive

Sidney Bechet – The Grand Master of the Soprano Saxophone – Columbia mono/ Pure Pleasure – vinyl

by Audiophile Audition | Dec 15, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Mono but a fantastic album from the master of the soprano sax, Sidney Bechet. Sidney Bechet – The Grand Master of the Soprano Saxophone – Columbia CL836 mono/ Pure Pleasure Records (11/16) – vinyl *****: (Bechet, soprano sax/ Leonard Ware guitar/ Henry Turner, doublebass/ Zutty Singleton, drums/Dave Bowman, piano/ Ernie Caceres, baritpne sax) There’s a lot of Sidney Bechet out there besides the sides he did for RCA Victor and Blue Note which have been reissued frequently. This vinyl from Columbia combines three separate sessions he made between 1938 and 1947. His strong vibrato on the soprano sax is in full audition thruout this wonderful album. Six of the tracks come from a 1947 quartet with Lloyd Phillips on piano and bassist Pops Foster. Another 1947 session heard here has a sextet led by Bechet’s star pupil, Bob Wilber, along with pianist Dick Wellstood – who would grow to be a major stride interpreter. On “Kansas City Man Blues” Wilber on clarinet switches with Bechet on soprano sax. Never mind that these are just mono – the sonics and playing are terrific! TrackList: A1 Love For Sale Written-By – Cole Porter A2 I Had It, But It’s All Gone Now […]