Great to be reminded of the role that Riverside played in getting important work to the larger audience and making careers. There is no more innovative and influential guitarist than Wes, and the Riverside stuff shows him at his absolute best. Its a joy. This is still the go to material for jazz guitar.
Also, I'd like to call out Elvin! which features all three Jones Bros and Frank Foster. Easy to imagine it gave its exclamational namesake a break from Coltrane and chance to just swing w the family. Even Elvin needed to chill.
Can I add Nat Adderley's Work Song? Probably his Best, interesting textures with the cello and guitar, Nice rendition of his Best known composition, beautiful playing overall, balanced repertoire. Underrated player also.
Thanks to Mr. Stryker for making these lists and to Mr. Iverson for posting them. Among other things, they serve as reminders for us old timers who used to have all of these LP's to revisit many we haven't heard for a long while. In this spirit of sharing, I would mention Jimmy Heath's "Really Big" and Rene Thomas' "Guitar Groove" on Jazzland. The former features Jimmy's great playing and stellar arrangements for a medium sized band which sounds glorious because Clark Terry is on first trumpet and Cannonball is on first alto. The latter - Thomas' only US recording date - showcases his Jimmy Raney informed playing (and arranging for that matter) to great advantage with fine band that includes Hod O'Brien, Teddy Kotick, and J.R. Monterose.
Dexter Gordon's album "Resurgence" is good album with some great solos by Dexter and also some great originals. It was produced by Cannonball Adderley. I know Jazzland was a subsidary of Riverside so it's not literally a Riverside record but I'd include it. That album and Dexter's appearance in "The Connection" truly helped his resurgence in the jazz world. One of the first records I ever bought.
Another wonderful invitation to discover records and revisit one's own collection:) My Riverside selection would have to include George Russell's first three albums for the label:
George Russell Sextet, "Stratusphunk", 1961
George Russell Sextet, "Ezz-Thetics", 1961
George Russell Septet, "The Stratus Seekers", 1962
And for good measure:
Bill Evans, "Everybody Digs Bill Evans", 1959
Milt Jackson & Wes Montgomery, "Bags Meets Wes", 1962
Given that Priester's "24-Hour Leave" made it as a bonus track, it's too bad the entire "Keep Swingin'" album didn't make it. The track right after "24-Hour Leave"—"The End"—is even better. Tommy Flanagan and Elvin Jones are incredible on that track, and all the solos are great.
And speaking of Tommy Flanagan and Elvin Jones, "Prints" from Jordan and Red's "A Story Tale" is an essential track. It might be the highlight of everything Flanagan and Jones recorded together.
I don't know that it adds anything to say (again, if I'm not mistaken) Mr. Keepnews had an enormous ego. He certainly accomplished a lot and when dealing with artists (ahem) strength of character is an asset. Otherwise, thanks for the list and commentary.
Reading your curated lists somehow reminds me of "The Jazz Loft Project: Photographs and Tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 821 Sixth Avenue, 1957-1965." This coffee table book has a much later podcast corollary from WNYC, including a selection from some of the jam sessions he taped; at https://www.wnyc.org/shows/jazz-loft.
I've listened to a couple of your guest's selected tracks, from that other astoundingly full resource, YouTube. A worthwhile way to avoid what I'm supposed to be doing!
So many other great labels to explore like this. My own knowledge is pretty sketchy, based on a couple of decades as a DJ, but ENJA, Sunnyside, HighNote, ECM, InnerCity, India Navigation, BYG, FIMP, and of course the mainstream Verve/Pablo, Blue Note, Decca, and the long gone then perhaps revived Savoy, Dial, Commodore --
My local libraries have way more than I can ever manage to hear. A post like this is an exercise in nostalgia, I guess...
Great to be reminded of the role that Riverside played in getting important work to the larger audience and making careers. There is no more innovative and influential guitarist than Wes, and the Riverside stuff shows him at his absolute best. Its a joy. This is still the go to material for jazz guitar.
Also, I'd like to call out Elvin! which features all three Jones Bros and Frank Foster. Easy to imagine it gave its exclamational namesake a break from Coltrane and chance to just swing w the family. Even Elvin needed to chill.
Can I add Nat Adderley's Work Song? Probably his Best, interesting textures with the cello and guitar, Nice rendition of his Best known composition, beautiful playing overall, balanced repertoire. Underrated player also.
I like that record!
One of my first buys with my own money, not Dad's...lol..I agree with you on it's quality.
Love the insider color here—especially Paul Motian favoring Explorations over the Vanguard sessions.
Thanks to Mr. Stryker for making these lists and to Mr. Iverson for posting them. Among other things, they serve as reminders for us old timers who used to have all of these LP's to revisit many we haven't heard for a long while. In this spirit of sharing, I would mention Jimmy Heath's "Really Big" and Rene Thomas' "Guitar Groove" on Jazzland. The former features Jimmy's great playing and stellar arrangements for a medium sized band which sounds glorious because Clark Terry is on first trumpet and Cannonball is on first alto. The latter - Thomas' only US recording date - showcases his Jimmy Raney informed playing (and arranging for that matter) to great advantage with fine band that includes Hod O'Brien, Teddy Kotick, and J.R. Monterose.
Dexter Gordon's album "Resurgence" is good album with some great solos by Dexter and also some great originals. It was produced by Cannonball Adderley. I know Jazzland was a subsidary of Riverside so it's not literally a Riverside record but I'd include it. That album and Dexter's appearance in "The Connection" truly helped his resurgence in the jazz world. One of the first records I ever bought.
Another wonderful invitation to discover records and revisit one's own collection:) My Riverside selection would have to include George Russell's first three albums for the label:
George Russell Sextet, "Stratusphunk", 1961
George Russell Sextet, "Ezz-Thetics", 1961
George Russell Septet, "The Stratus Seekers", 1962
And for good measure:
Bill Evans, "Everybody Digs Bill Evans", 1959
Milt Jackson & Wes Montgomery, "Bags Meets Wes", 1962
Damn, I forgot about Ezzthetics! Desert island record for me.
good call on milt and wes! sweet pairing
Oh - and Wes Montgomery's "Full House" with Johnny Griffin, Wynton K., P.C., and Jimmy Cobb. "Res ipsa loquitur" ;-)
Given that Priester's "24-Hour Leave" made it as a bonus track, it's too bad the entire "Keep Swingin'" album didn't make it. The track right after "24-Hour Leave"—"The End"—is even better. Tommy Flanagan and Elvin Jones are incredible on that track, and all the solos are great.
And speaking of Tommy Flanagan and Elvin Jones, "Prints" from Jordan and Red's "A Story Tale" is an essential track. It might be the highlight of everything Flanagan and Jones recorded together.
Rainy Afternoon with Frank Wess and Tommy Flanagan is just spectacular. This one I had not heard - Thank you!!
I don't know that it adds anything to say (again, if I'm not mistaken) Mr. Keepnews had an enormous ego. He certainly accomplished a lot and when dealing with artists (ahem) strength of character is an asset. Otherwise, thanks for the list and commentary.
Reading your curated lists somehow reminds me of "The Jazz Loft Project: Photographs and Tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 821 Sixth Avenue, 1957-1965." This coffee table book has a much later podcast corollary from WNYC, including a selection from some of the jam sessions he taped; at https://www.wnyc.org/shows/jazz-loft.
I've listened to a couple of your guest's selected tracks, from that other astoundingly full resource, YouTube. A worthwhile way to avoid what I'm supposed to be doing!
So many other great labels to explore like this. My own knowledge is pretty sketchy, based on a couple of decades as a DJ, but ENJA, Sunnyside, HighNote, ECM, InnerCity, India Navigation, BYG, FIMP, and of course the mainstream Verve/Pablo, Blue Note, Decca, and the long gone then perhaps revived Savoy, Dial, Commodore --
My local libraries have way more than I can ever manage to hear. A post like this is an exercise in nostalgia, I guess...
Great collection of records. I wonder how many of those artists worked for Riverside in the shipping department stuff like that.