Last time (see the Index) we discussed the downsides of knowing only the later recordings of Lester Young, which is often the case today, and we’ll discuss that some more at the end of this essay. But we went on to show that there are indeed many gems from the 1940s and ‘50s.
I find Lester's solo on "Fine & Mellow" from The Sound of Jazz, in '57, to be one of the most profound and brilliant statements I've ever heard. It is always in my head. I probably heard it once watching it randomly on TV (this was pre-YouTube, so it was lucky to find a physical copy, and almost impossible to find if you didn't know what it was in the first place). For years I could only recall the solo (to sing it, from memory, from 1 listen!), I knew it was Lester's, but not from where or what. I think I can thank Ken Burn's Jazz for the reminder of which recording it was, because it is included on that. Lester always had the perfect thing to say, and at the right time. Qualities to emulate.
I can see that despite whatever musical assignments I have going today they will be left somewhat incomplete. One of my favorite tenor players. Perfect.
I greatly appreciate posts like this, that call my attention to wonderful things I've missed. After hearing the Cafe Bohemia track, I dashed to Discogs, where I tracked down a CD copy.
Concerning Lester’s sound: here is a somewhat amusing anecdote told to me once by Bob Mover.
He said that the singular cocktail Prez used to bring with him in a Thermos bottle may have something to do with it! (A mix of gin and port, if you can imagine that.)
Mover said he tried it once (at a time when he was playing some tenor) and people told him, boy you sound like Lester! For what it’s worth.
Speaking of Lester, it would be nice if you could do a post once on his singular vernacular, from 'vonce' to 'molley trolleys' and that pair of racial designations being 'Grey boys' and 'Oxford greys' (never remember which is which).
Also, any idea of there are recordings existing of him and Miles from France in 1956? The are pictures of the two together but I have yet to have heard an audio document.
Hi Lew: A few scattered thoughts. I have the Keynote 78 of "Sometimes I'm Happy"which was given to me by a neighbor who was a railroad man and an amateur alto player when I was around 13 years old. I have the tracks with Wilson and Peterson on a Verve 2-LP set titled Prez and Teddy and Oscar. According to an account by Rex Stewart (I can't recall the exact source but it might have been "Jazz Masters Of The 20's) the mixture of gin and port was known as "Top & Bottom" because when one was poured on top of the other they would remain in separate layers. I recall the late Seldon Powell, a great tenor player and a wonderfully kind man telling me that he knew Lester and felt that he spoke a self-invented language all his own.
Wow! That recording "Pres returns" is truly remarkable, Lewis. All Pres, and definitely his identifiable style in great form, through the lens of the brilhart.
Thanks for the exceptional, informative piece. Pres had a great "comeback" year in 1956 after his release from Bellevue. I saw him in 1955 and 1958 when he had way too much "Top and Bottom' and no brand of mouthpiece would have helped. He did play better during 1957 JATP, which I saw .
We will always have those 1956 recordings to tell us what might have been.
He was a F. Trumbauer fan , and often one can tell in every year .
Thanks, Lewis –– your enthusiasm for Mr. Young and the music "leaps off" the page as do the great musical excerpts!
I find Lester's solo on "Fine & Mellow" from The Sound of Jazz, in '57, to be one of the most profound and brilliant statements I've ever heard. It is always in my head. I probably heard it once watching it randomly on TV (this was pre-YouTube, so it was lucky to find a physical copy, and almost impossible to find if you didn't know what it was in the first place). For years I could only recall the solo (to sing it, from memory, from 1 listen!), I knew it was Lester's, but not from where or what. I think I can thank Ken Burn's Jazz for the reminder of which recording it was, because it is included on that. Lester always had the perfect thing to say, and at the right time. Qualities to emulate.
Thank you Lewis for sharing that clip from Pres returns. I tried hard not to but failed. Had to get out of the sofa!
I can see that despite whatever musical assignments I have going today they will be left somewhat incomplete. One of my favorite tenor players. Perfect.
I greatly appreciate posts like this, that call my attention to wonderful things I've missed. After hearing the Cafe Bohemia track, I dashed to Discogs, where I tracked down a CD copy.
Concerning Lester’s sound: here is a somewhat amusing anecdote told to me once by Bob Mover.
He said that the singular cocktail Prez used to bring with him in a Thermos bottle may have something to do with it! (A mix of gin and port, if you can imagine that.)
Mover said he tried it once (at a time when he was playing some tenor) and people told him, boy you sound like Lester! For what it’s worth.
Speaking of Lester, it would be nice if you could do a post once on his singular vernacular, from 'vonce' to 'molley trolleys' and that pair of racial designations being 'Grey boys' and 'Oxford greys' (never remember which is which).
Also, any idea of there are recordings existing of him and Miles from France in 1956? The are pictures of the two together but I have yet to have heard an audio document.
Marc C from Mtl
Hi Lew: A few scattered thoughts. I have the Keynote 78 of "Sometimes I'm Happy"which was given to me by a neighbor who was a railroad man and an amateur alto player when I was around 13 years old. I have the tracks with Wilson and Peterson on a Verve 2-LP set titled Prez and Teddy and Oscar. According to an account by Rex Stewart (I can't recall the exact source but it might have been "Jazz Masters Of The 20's) the mixture of gin and port was known as "Top & Bottom" because when one was poured on top of the other they would remain in separate layers. I recall the late Seldon Powell, a great tenor player and a wonderfully kind man telling me that he knew Lester and felt that he spoke a self-invented language all his own.
Wow! That recording "Pres returns" is truly remarkable, Lewis. All Pres, and definitely his identifiable style in great form, through the lens of the brilhart.
1000 stars!
Thanks for the exceptional, informative piece. Pres had a great "comeback" year in 1956 after his release from Bellevue. I saw him in 1955 and 1958 when he had way too much "Top and Bottom' and no brand of mouthpiece would have helped. He did play better during 1957 JATP, which I saw .
We will always have those 1956 recordings to tell us what might have been.