The Serenata

by John Young, John Young Trio

Overview

John Young is a longtime Chicago-based pianist who the locals know and love, though he has recorded as a sideman more frequently than as a leader. This Delmark CD reissue of a pair of 1959 sessions features him leading a trio with bassist Victor Sproles and drummer Phil Thomas. To a blindfolded listener, his style suggests both Red Garland and Wynton Kelly (especially in the opener, "I Don't Wanna Be Kissed"), though he is very much his own man. He devours whole fellow pianist Ray Bryant's signature tune, "Cubana Chant." He incorporates a variation of "Freddie the Freeloader" to introduce the swinging blues "Bones" (possibly an original, but the CD unfortunately lacks any composer credits), which features Sproles' understated bass and Thomas' crisp brushwork. His arrangement of "When I Fall in Love" could easily be mistaken for Erroll Garner. This reissue adds a bonus of three valuable alternate takes. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	09/18/1993
Label:	Delmark
UPC:	0038153040321
Rank:	185341

Tracks

1. I Don't Wanna Be Kissed
2. Baby Doll
3. Circus
4. Cubana Chant
5. In Love in Vain
6. Bones
7. Serenata
8. When I Fall in Love
9. Circus
10. Baby Doll
11. I Don't Wanna Be Kissed

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Young Trio   Primary Artist
John Young   Primary Artist,Piano
Phil Thomas   Drums
Victor Sproles   Bass

Technical Credits

John Young   Composer
Robert G. Koester   Producer
Harold Spina   Composer
Jack Elliott   Composer
Victor Young   Composer
Sara Schwartz   Photography
Barbara Ciurej   Design
Steve Wagner   Producer
Paul Serrano   Liner Notes
Jerome Kern   Composer