Barney Kessel – The Contemporary Years: Selected Recordings 1953-57 – 2CD

Barney Kessel was a jazz guitarist who is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant and versatile guitarists of the post-war era, who had a parallel career as one of the most in-demand session men in Hollywood, appearing on dozens of hit records and movie soundtracks. Emerging on the scene at the start of the 1940s he was greatly influenced by Charlie Christian, and became a fixture on bebop sessions through into the 1950s, working with the likes of Charlie Parker and Oscar Peterson and on the Jazz At The Philharmonic shows. This 43-track 2-CD collection comprises selected titles he recorded leading his own bands on albums for the Contemporary label during the middle years of the 1950s. It features tracks culled from his albums “Barney Kesssel”, “Barney Kessel Vol. 2”, “Easy Like”, Barney Kessel Plays Standards”, “To Swing Or Not To Swing”, “Music To Listen To Barney Kessel By” and “Poll Winners”. It includes recordings with Bud Shank, Harry Babasin, Shelly Manne, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Jimmy Rowles, Al Hendrickson, Andre Previn, Buddy Collette, Ray Brown and other noted musicians who were members of his line-ups for these sessions. Ranging across standards and his own compositions, it’s a fascinating and enlightening showcase for a great guitarist best–known for his work with other bands, but is here featured as a leader.

Track Listing:

CD1:
Barney Kessel Quintet: 1. Vicky’s Dream -   2. Just Squeeze Me -   3. Bernardo -   4. Tenderly -   5. Lullaby Of Birdland -   6. Salute To Charlie Christian -   7. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart -   8. On A Slow Boat To China -   9. Speak Low -   10. A Foggy Day -   11. Prelude To A Kiss -   12. How Long Has This Been Going On? -   13. 64 Bars On Wilshire Boulevard -   14. Barney’s Blues -   Barney Kessel Septet: 15. Happy Feeling -   16. Contemporary Blues -   17. Louisiana -   18. Indiana -   19. Moten Swing -   20. Embraceable You -   21. Midnight Sun -   22. Don't Blame Me -

CD2:
Barney Kessel Quintet: 1. Jeepers Creepers -   2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was -   3. You Stepped Out Of A Dream -   4. April In Paris -   5. Easy Like -   6. North Of The Border -   Barney Kessel Orchestra: 7. Fascinating Rhythm -   8. Gone With The Wind -   9. I Love You -   10. Cheerful Little Earful -   11. My Reverie -   12. Blues For A Playboy -   13. Love Is For The Very Young -   14. Mountain Greenery -   15. Laura -   Barney Kessel, Ray Brown & Shelly Manne: 16. Jordu -   17. It Could Happen To You -   18. Don't Worry 'Bout Me -   19. On Green Dolphin Street -   20. Minor Mood -   21. Nagasaki -