Jazz
Bop
Mainstream Jazz
Recorded: Jun 10-11, 1997
As a sequel to the previously released Don Loved Midge, veteran saxophonist Don Lanphere again performs a variety of lyrical pieces (mostly older standards) that he and his wife Midge had long enjoyed, plus his originals "Blues for Midge" and "Ellis in Wonderland," and bassist Doug Miller's "GrayBlue." The music swings; there is plenty of melody caressing by the leader and the boppish treatments put the emphasis on melodic development. Lanphere displays fairly distinctive voices on tenor, alto and soprano (which he plays very much in-tune), Jon Pugh has a few pretty cornet solos and guitarist Dave Petersen and trombonist Jeff Hay help out on a few selections. Highlights include the revivals of some obscure but worthy songs including Carroll Coates' "London by Night," Lalo Schifrin's haunting "The Right to Love" and the long-forgotten "Purple Shades." Lanphere's rendition of "Early Autumn" is of particular interest because he had succeeded Stan Getz in Woody Herman's Orchestra and was wise enough to hold on the original sheet music that Getz had used nearly a half-century earlier. A pleasing effort that is easily recommended.
---Scott Yanow
Includes 14 tracks |
