Customer Reviews

Buck Jumpin'

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In writing first time reviews of OJC discs that are sadly going out-of-print, I was disappointed to discover that no one had written about this wonderful CD. Though I guess it's not that surprising, I mean have you ever even heard of Al Casey? Well I hadn't either until I came across this Prestige disc in the "cut-out" section at a local store. Despite the fact that at the time I knew none of the players on this session (Al Casey - guitar, Rudy Powell - alto sax and clarinet, Herman Foster - piano, Jimmy Lewis - bass, and Belton Evans - drums), I took a chance because I had enjoyed other titles in the "Swingville" series (Coleman Hawkins, Red Garland, etc), and it was recorded by Rudy Van Gelder (RVG, how bad can it be?). Everyone on this March 7, 1960 set performs solidly, especially pianist Foster (who I have now heard more from via the Lou Donaldson Mosaic set), but it is guitarist Casey that's a real revelation. He barely amplifies his guitar, making it sound almost like an acoustic, and his passages are sensational, often finishing with flamenco-like flurries. I liked it so much I went back to that store and bought the remaining copies of "Buck Jumpin'" to give my various guitar playing friends, just so they could hear all the sound possibilities that Casey's jazz offered. With so many OJC titles getting the axe, check out this unique sounding Axe before it jumps away.

Al Casey, born in 1915, first played with Fats Waller in 1933. Casey remained Waller's guitarist of choice until Fats' death in 1943.

The history behind the title tune is this: For a 1941 recording session, Fats told Casey to bring a composition. After a 10-minute walk through, Fats Waller and His Rhythm laid down an exuberant version of "Buck Jumpin'," with Waller providing strong piano support and verbal encouragement for Casey's guitar solo.

This album was recorded in 1960, and Casey had been playing electric guitar for three years in King Curtis's group. This is his first session as a leader, and he by choice returns to acoustic. (The linear notes verify that he plays acoustic guitar throughout.) He is reunited with reedman Rudy Powell, who also recorded with Waller off and on from 1935-37. Powell, who plays mostly alto, sounds gutsy on "Casey's Blues" and even honks a time or two on the ballad "Don't Blame Me."

This is lightly swinging music, with superb picking by Casey and solid contributions by Powell. Drums and bass lay down a straight ahead 4/4, and are never ornate or loud. Drummer Evans uses brushes on most of the tunes. Pianist Foster is tasteful throughout, and sounds superb in his few brief solos, and one wishes that he were featured more.

This is not loud or exuberant music. Although Waller's two best known compositions are here ("Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose"), this quintet never tries to duplicate the sound of the Waller group.

Bottom line: Excellent acoustic guitar playing is the primary appeal. This is a quietly swinging session of jazz journeymen doing some of the best work of their lives. Four and one half stars.