Lester Swings

Product Description:

Personnel: Lester Young (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Jesse Drakes, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Roy Eldridge (trumpet); Vic Dickenson (trombone); Nat "King" Cole, Hank Jones, John Lewis, Gildo Mahones, Oscar Peterson, Lou Stein, Teddy Wilson (piano); Herb Ellis, Freddie Green, Barney Kessel (guitar); Ray Brown, George Duvivier, Connie Kay, Johnny Ore, Gene Ramsey (bass); J.C. Heard, Jo Jones, Buddy Rich, Mickey Sheen (drums).

Recorded between 1946 and 1958. Includes liner notes by Dave Gelly.

This reissue features Lester Young performing with a variety of groups: Oscar Peterson's Quartet, MJQ's John Lewis, a sextet featuring the great trombonist Vic Dickenson, and others. Probably the most lucid music heard on this compilation is a trio recording accompanied by Nat "King" Cole on piano and Buddy Rich on drums. While many more tracks recorded by this unlikely trio can be heard on the album entitled simply, LESTER YOUNG TRIO (Verve), LESTER SWINGS includes the most compelling track from that trio date, "I Cover the Waterfront."

This song is a lush ballad that highlights Young's wonderful light, airy tone, and Cole's distinct, full-ranged approach to the ol' ivories. Other tracks of interest include, Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and the title track. The former features two of the best swing era trumpet soloists, Harry "Sweets" Edison and Roy Eldridge. Herb Ellis joins in on guitar on this track, and Young is heard leading the procession on clarinet. The drowsy swing of this chart is quite memorable, if only because of its unexpected forlorn mood.