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| 2.523 Ft
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| 1. | Where is the Love
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| 2. | Georgia On My Mind
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| 3. | Mercy Mercy Me (the Ecology Song)
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| 4. | Lean On Me
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| 5. | Just the Way You Are
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| 6. | You Are the Sunshine of My Life
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Jazz
The Great Performances/Great Songs series by Verve is a new attempt to get prospective buyers interested in its vast jazz catalog by introducing them to large-scale hits by artists who appeared either on its label proper, or on one of its licensees'. In the case of saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr., these are sides he cut for Creed Taylor's Kudu imprint -- Motown's jazz label at the time -- between 1971 and 1978. The six selections are all covers of very popular soul or pop numbers, and come from recordings like Inner City Blues, All the King's Horses, and Soul Box, Vol. 2, though the gorgeous reading of Billy Joel's "All the Things You Are" comes from 1978's Reed Seed. Other tracks included here are stylish renditions of "Where Is the Love?," "Georgia on My Mind," Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology Song)," a reggae version of Bill Withers' "Lean on Me," and Stevie Wonder's "You are the Sunshine Of My Life." This is very early material for the saxophonist, and music that has, in recent years, finally seen its proper due as being truly illustrative of his gifts as an improviser and his technical facility on both tenor and soprano horns. Most of the material here was produced by Taylor, and a couple of tracks were arranged by Bob James -- before his own great popular success. All of it features a stellar array of sidemen who became part of Taylor's CTI stable during this time. This is all great vibe music with terrific musicianship. Andy McKaie compiled this collection with taste -- even though it doesn't contain any of Washington Jr.'s own tunes because they fall outside the purview of the series -- this is a fine comp, and for the money it can't be beat. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
Grover Washington, Jr.
Active Decades: '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s
Born: Dec 12, 1943 in Buffalo, NY
Died: Dec 17, 1999 in New York, NY
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Soul Jazz, Fusion, Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Quiet Storm, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz
One of the most popular saxophonists of all time, Grover Washington, Jr. was long the pacesetter in his field. His roots were in R&B and soul-jazz organ combos, but he also fared very well on the infrequent occasions when he played straight-ahead jazz. A highly influential player, Washington pushed himself with the spontaneity and risk-taking of a masterful jazz musician.
Grover Washington, Jr.'s, father also played saxophone and was his first influence. The younger son started playing music when he was ten, and within two years was working in clubs. He picked up experience touring with the Four Clefs from 1959-1963 and freelancing during the next two years, before spending a couple years in the Army. He moved to Philadelphia in 1967, becoming closely identified with the city from then on, and worked with several organists, including Charles Earland and Johnny Hammond Smith, recording as a sideman for the Prestige label. His biggest break occurred in 1971, when Hank Crawford could not make it to a recording date for Creed Tasylor's Kudu label; Washington was picked as his replacement, and the result was Inner City Blues, a big seller. From then on he became a major name, particularly after recording 1975's Mister Magic and Feels So Good, and later 1980's Winelight; the latter included the Bill Withers hit "Just the Two of Us."
Although some of his recordings since then found him coasting a bit, Washington usually stretched himself in concert. He developed his own personal voices on soprano, tenor, alto, and even his infrequently-used baritone. Grover Washington Jr. recorded as a leader for Kudu, Motown, Elektra, and Columbia and made notable guest appearances on dozens of records ranging from pop to straightforward jazz. He died of a sudden heart attack on December 17, 1999 while taping an appearance on CBS television's The Saturday Early Show; Washington was 56. The posthumous Aria was issued early the following year.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
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