Live At The Half Note Club 1965 Volume 1
(2011)
Another in a series of Classic CD’s to be released on BPM. This set was originally recorded as a demo at a small club in San Francisco called the Half Note Club. These recordings were mailed to various record companies in the hopes of securing a deal at the time, but Al and I were both dismissed by everyone. However I kept the original recordings in my tape library waiting until the right time to release the material. It is not the greatest audio recording but is important because it historically locks in our musical beginnings. It shows where we came from musically and illustrates how we came to be the musicians we are today - the seeds can be clearly seen. This is the first volume of two more planned subsequent releases. So sit back, relax and let us take you on a journey back through time to the Half Note Club in 1965.
1. Conversations – One: Along with Al and myself I managed to get the original band John Heard – bass, Al Cecchi – drums and club owner H. Warren to come to the studio and reflect on the atmosphere at the club and in San Francisco during those days - talk what was going through our minds at the time of these recordings, mostly we were laughing!
2. I Could Write A Book: I first became aware of this song by listening to a Miles Davis record. So when Al said he wanted to include the tune in our set, I was all smiles. As a 19 year old pianist I was still searching and learning my craft but I can see the seeds of what I’ve become – sort of (smile).
3. Satin Doll: Al and I came up with this arrangement in the foyer of his apartment where there was an upright piano in the hallway. We would work there during the afternoons when possible.
4. Al’s Pause For The Cause: ..you know, Al likes to talk
5. It Never Entered My Mind: a great song that Al sings so well!
6. On A Clear Day: one can hear our early love for Brazilian grooves in the arrangement of this tune.
7. Moanin’: one of the popular jazz tunes from the period . One thing for sure, we knew how to swing!
8. Conversations – Two: ..more conversation
9. Sweet Pumpkin: this is one of my favorite tunes of the set because it swings so hard. Al brought this tune to my attention and I’m so glad he did. 10.Best Is Yet To Come: This was one of Al’s tour de force tunes, he used to slay the audience with this one.
11. Band Introduction:
12.Come Rain Or Come Shine: another strong feature for Al. He had a real firm idea of how he wanted to perform the tune so it was just a matter of translating his ideas into reality.
13.Dat Dere: another popular jazz tune of the day that Al tears up! It was written by Bobby Timmons who ironically played piano for the Cannonball Adderley Quintet for some years, little did I know that one day I would join that line of wonderful pianists who played with this incredible band.
14. Conversations – Three: …more of that…
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