A Night At The Vanguard [Digipak]

Performer: Kenny Burrell Trio/Stanley Cowell Quartet/Kenny Burrell Trio/Kenny Burrell
Artist: Richard Davis; James Williams; Roy Haynes; Peter Washington
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Kenny Burrell Trio: Kenny Burrell (guitar); Richard Davis (bass); Roy Haynes (drums). Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, New York, New York on September 17, 1959. Includes liner notes by Stan Britt. Personnel includes: Kenny Burrell (guitar); Richard Davis (bass); Roy Haynes (drums). Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, New York, New York. Personnel: Kenny Burrell (guitar); James Williams (piano); Peter Washington (bass); Sherman Ferguson (drums). Recorded live at The Village Vanguard, New York, New York on August 28, 1993. Includes liner notes by Jim Ferguson. Kenny Burrell's storied career as perhaps the premier modern jazz guitarist has been documented by many efforts in the studio, but here's a nightclub date that may well be highly ranked as one of his very best efforts. The spontaneity and freshness of Burrell's lyric lines and deft chords is further enhanced by perhaps the most advanced musicians he has ever played with -- bassist Richard Davis and drummer Roy Haynes. For music done in 1959, this is heady, seat-of-the-pants, brilliantly executed jazz that is mostly based in standards, but stretched to exacting tolerances that bend, but are not close to breaking. Davis provides strong support without going as outward as he did later in life, while Haynes might sound subdued to his fans, yet has an elastic presence that allows the other two a lot of freedom to fully articulate this modern mainstream language as a prelude heading into the turbulent '60s. On this straight reissue that originally sported the title "Man at Work," the trio plays all standards save the lively blues groove, more pronounced than the studio version of Burrell's "All Night Long," and the Erroll Garner tune "Trio," where Burrell's proves expert at combining singles lines and chords in balance. Most of the material is very upbeat and energetic as on the fast and quick "Will You Still Be Mine," and the bop swing of "Broadway" mixed up a little melodically by Burrell. The love of Duke Ellington's music is always with the guitarist as rendered during "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'," where the genius of Burrell is extant in his ability to provide his own counterpoint. Burrell's other precious component is his ability to relax and consistently swing as on Thelonious Monk's "Well, You Needn't," Benny Goodman's poignant and simple "Soft Winds," and dipping deep into the tenderness quotient on the ballad "I'm a Fool to Want You" aside the tango-flavored bass of Davis. A solid effort top to bottom, and a recording most highly recommended, this is Burrell and his extraordinary trio very close to, if not truly in their prime, and their element. ~ Michael G. Nastos Kenny Burrell played several nights at the Village Vanguard in August of 1993, and those shows are documented on two CDs -- this one and Then Along Came Kenny, which was released the following year. Both were produced by Burrell with Yoichi Nakao and feature an unfortunately ill-defined sound; pianist James Williams, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Sherman Ferguson are clearly audible, but Burrell's guitar is sometimes muffled. The program itself is quite nice, and features a good mix of standards, modern compositions and Burrell originals, but the guitarist is hobbled, as he is on the other recording from this series of concerts, by a certain tentativeness. Burrell's tendency to hedge his bets is brought out most sharply on the Thelonious Monk compositions -- if you play "Bemsha Swing" safe, you're not playing "Bemsha Swing." But he does have great tone, and there's no arguing with any of the specific gestures he makes; the problem lies in those he doesn't make and could have. ~ Rick Anderson Trio date at the famed Village Vanguard, with Burrell backed by bassist Larry Gales and drummer Sherman Ferguson. The location and live context combine to make this a more exuberant session than many Burrell cut in the '70s. His playing has more fire, and he takes longer solos and puts more fervor behind them. ~ Ron Wynn

Down Beat (1960) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "..a happy, relaxed, and completely grooving session.." Down Beat (4/95, pp.44-45) - 3.5 Stars - Good/Very Good - "...One of his longevity secrets...is consistency of form, inspiration and sound--dividends paid nightly by his sagacious virtuosity. MIDNIGHT AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD...is a prime example....the guitarist clearly remains in command of one of the most prolific and stable careers in jazz." Record Collector (magazine) (p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he production is appealingly bare, which allows you to almost movie in between the instruments and savour the stripped atmosphere."

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