Kenny Drew – The Classic Albums – 1953-1961 – 4CD

Born in New York City in August 1928, Kenneth Sidney Kenny Drew was an American jazz pianist, playing in the bands of many true jazz greats during his career, from Coleman Hawkins to Buddy De Franco and Lester Young to Charlie Parker. He led many recording sessions throughout the '50s and early '60s: in 1957 he appeared on John Coltrane's pioneering Blue Train. This delightful 4CD Set features eight of Kenny Drew's finest works, originally released between 1953 and 1961 - clearly the golden years of his career. All presented here in beautifully remastered editions, this collection will prove both a perfect starting point for beginners to Drew's music, as well as an excellent reminder of the musical prowess of a true jazz pioneer - albeit one who remains criminally under-appreciated.

Track Listing:

CD1:
1. Yesterdays - 5:19   2. Stella By Starlight - 2:28   3. Gloria -3:22   4. Be My Love - 2:42   5. Lover, Come Back to Me - 3:32   6. Everything Happens to Me - 4:41   7. It Might As Well Be Spring - 2:48   8. Drew’s Blues - 2:25   9. Bluesville - 5:30   10. Angie - 5:42   11. I Can Make You Love Me (If You'll Let Me) - 4:01    12. My Beautiful Lady - 5:42   13. Many Miles Away - 2:47   14. Fifty Second Street Theme - 3:29   15. I'll Remenber April - 6:42   16. Four and Five - 3:19   17. Polka Dots and Moonbeams - 4:22   18. Lo Flame - 3:41  19. Chartreuse - 4:36  20. Kenny’s Blues - 5:15

CD2:
1. Talkin' Walkin' - 6:22   2. In the Prescribed Manner - 5:09   3. Prelude to a Kiss - 5:33   4. Wee Dot - 5:47   5. Hidden Channel - 4:52   6. Deadline - 3:23   7. I'm Old Fashioned - 5:00   8. Minor Blues (Blues in a Cardboard Box) - 5:45   9. Walkin' Talkin' - 5:44   10. Embers Glow - 3:52   11. Our Waltz - 2:32   12. Key Largo - 3:15   13. Along with Me - 3:10   14. In Love in Vain - 2:47   15. 'Round Midnight - 3:43   16. Too Marvellous for Words - 2:34   17. Make the Man Love Me - 2:54   18. Right Boy for Me - 2:51   19. All Dressed Up - 3:21   

CD3:
1. Caravan - 4:54   2. Come Rain or Come Shine - 6:09   3. Ruby, My Dear - 5:45   4. Weird-O - 4:04   5. Taking a Chance on Love - 4:40   6. When You Wish Upon a Star - 5:18   7. Blues for Nica - 5:28   8. It's Only a Paper Moon - 6:27   9. This Is New - 6:23   10. Carol - 4:28   11. It’s You or No One - 6:35   12. You're My Thrill - 5:17   13. Little T - 6:06   14. Paul’s Pal - 5:28   15. Why Do I Love You? - 5:14

CD4:
1. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered - 4:13   2. Do It the Hard Way - 5:53   3. I Didn't Know What Time It Was - 4:02   4. Happy Hunting Horn - 4:19   5. I Could Write a Book - 4:43   6. What Is a Man - 5:09   7. My Funny Valentine - 4:10   8. The Lady Is a Tramp - 5:42   9. Undercurrent - 7:20   10. Funk-Cosity - 8:29   11. Lion’s Den - 4:57   12. The Pot’s on - 6:08   13. Groovin' the Blues - 6:23   14. Ballade - 5:32