Sax ala Carter!

by Benny Carter

Overview

Sax ala Carter! was originally released in 1960, and as the liner notes point out, was meant for a general audience. That means that the songs are popular standards and the renditions offered here are fairly short (none reach the four-minute mark). Having said all this, one might expect Sax ala Carter! to resemble cocktail jazz, but it doesn't. Instead, the listener is treated to an intimate set made up of fine ensemble work by Carter, pianist Jimmy Rowles, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Mel Lewis on favorites like "Far Away Places," "I Should Care," and "Everything I Have Is Yours." The solos by Carter and Rowles are compact, with both players sticking close to the melody line. Nonetheless, their solos are tastefully energetic and achieve an air of grace. Standouts include a bouncy take on "All or Nothing at All" and a soulful version of "I'll Never Smile Again." The walking bass of Vinnegar also adds buoyancy to the performances on Sax ala Carter!, guaranteeing that the music is always flowing freely. The 2004 release of the album adds three bonus cuts, "Ennui" and two takes of "Friendly Islands." Incredibly, this entire album was recorded in one day on February 5, 1960. A fun treat. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/24/2004
Label:	Capitol / Capital Jazz
UPC:	0724359351322
Rank:	120080

Tracks

1. And the Angels Sing
2. Everything I Have Is Yours
3. Understand
4. All or Nothing at All
5. I'll Never Smile Again
6. If I Loved You
7. Far Away Places
8. I Should Care
9. For All We Know
10. (I Don't Stand A) Ghost of a Chance
11. The One I Love (Belongs to Someone Else)
12. Moon of Manakoora
13. Ennui
14. Friendly Islands
15. Friendly Islands

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Benny Carter   Primary Artist,Trumpet,Sax (Alto),Sax (Soprano)
Mel Lewis   Drums
Jimmy Rowles   Piano
Leroy Vinnegar   Bass

Technical Credits

Richard Rodgers   Composer
Robert Rounseville   Composer
Arthur Altman   Composer
Malcolm Addey   Remastering,Tape Transfer
Victor Young   Composer
Sammy Cahn   Composer
Theirry Trombert   Cover Photo
Arnie Altman   Composer
I. Jones   Composer
Carousel Orchestra   Composer
Barbara Ruick   Composer
Claramae Turner   Composer
Gordon H. Jee   Reissue Design
Cameron Mitchell   Composer
Shirley Jones   Composer
Alfred Newman   Composer
Frank Loesser   Composer
Burton Lane   Composer
Paul Weston   Composer
Jerome Kern   Composer
Isham Jones   Composer
Bing Crosby   Composer
J. Fred Coots   Composer
Jack Lawrence   Composer
Joan Whitney   Composer
Kim Gannon   Composer
Jamie Lawrence   Composer
Sam M. Lewis   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Steven Chino Lewis   Composer
Axel Stordahl   Composer
Ned Washington   Composer
Michael Cuscuna   Producer
Alex Kramer   Composer
Gus Kahn   Composer
Harold Adamson   Composer
Ziggy Elman   Composer
Benny Carter   Composer,Overdubs
Ed Berger   Producer,Liner Notes
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Ruth Lowe   Composer
Mabel Wayne   Composer