Customer Reviews

Clifford Brown With Strings

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This is indeed an incredible and magical piece of work; in no small measure due to the 'Strings" from the title. Unfortunately and uncharacteristically, Verve Records has seen fit to not give credit where it is also due beyond the talents of Mr. Brown, Mr. Roach, Mr. Hefti, etc.

Despite a new set of liner notes that include interview quotes and rememberances including the following quote from Mr. Hefti "They were the top studio string players in New York...", the Strings remain "unknown". So...to set the record straight about one "unknown String", please know all you jazz fans that the late Mac Ceppos, an accomplished violinist,jazz violin innovator, band leader, arranger and accompianist for the likes of Patty Page and Perry Como, and my Grandfather, played on this recording. It was one of his proudest pieces of work, one that he shared with me as a child and young adult. He knew the magnitude of the record. It is a shame that he and the other proud, passionate musical artists in this and other records of this era are relagated to anonymity.

By the way, if you're wondering which one he is, look at the photos from the back of the original album cover. The bottom left photo of Hefti conducting the Strings...the man in the black suit left of Hefti's head...that's my Grandpa. He was a fine man and a marvelous musician. Enjoy.

Clifford Brown, the legendary jazz musician who died too young, speaks to you with his trumpet just as eloquently as if he were singing the lyric. From the opening tune, "Yesterdays," the strings of Neal Hefti set off a mellow mood, and then in comes the trumpet, and the song belongs to Brownie. His renditions of these sumptuous melodies are as emotional and expressive as the songs themselves, all standards -- the very best. Although Clifford Brown was definitely a hard bop jazz musician, and while his recording career lasted less than four years, in that time, he put out a sizable amount of quality jazz material. Fortunately, he also listened to his young wife, LaRue, who urged him to make a recording of all ballads, and here he proved for posterity that he had a sensibility as astute as the leading balladeers of any day. "Embraceable You,""Willow Weep For Me,""Someone To Watch Over Me" are all classics, made more so with his touch; "Portrait of Jennie" and the haunting, "Laura," are so poignant, it is regrettable that these version were recorded too late to accompany the movies of the 1940's.

Clifford was one of the greatest players to ever live, and this album proves it as much as any of his other releases. Whoever called it "whitebread" has no idea what they're talking about! Clifford puts his heart and soul into each one of these beautiful ballads. The strings are phenomenal, unfortunately they go un-named on this release. Clifford's playing, both technically and musically, is at a whole new peak. Many jazz artists like to record with strings, but none of them could do it like Clifford did. The arrangements by Neal Hefti are amazing. Each song has a similar flavor to it, but Clifford brings something new to each song making it so extremely memorable. This album is very romantic. I probably have every song memorized. From the haunting "Yesterdays" to the tender renditions of "Laura" and "What's New?" to poignant pieces like "Portrait Of Jenny", "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" and "Willow Weep For Me", this is one you'll love, especially if you're a big fan of Clifford's wonderful playing. The best is saved for last, the version of "Stardust" is absolutely the best one you'll ever find. What Clifford did with this tune is exceptional. One of my favorite songs to play and hear, even today. I've had this album for almost five years and can still put it in and listen to it, and enjoy every song. Recommended extremely highly. Must have.

Several jazz musicians have tried "with strings" albums (e.g., Bird) to varying effect. I'm happy to report that this works extremely well. The strings, (arranged by Neal Hefti) never overpower Brownie's playing. Rather they set down a background against which one hears the extraordinary ideas and famous round tone of Brown. Only on a few songs (for example, "Laura") did I feel that the strings were too much in the foreground.

Nothing challenging here... but this is an album that soothes and nourishes. Aside from the strings, there is excellent understated accompaniment by Max Roach on drums, Richie Powell (piano), George Morrow on bass (i.e., the great Brown group of the era), and Barry Galbraith on guitar.

These are all standards, taken at a relaxed pace: Highlights include the power and tone of "Yesterdays," the interplay between strings and trumpet on "Cant's Help Lovin' Dat Man," the lyrical, fluid playing on "Embraceable You," the yearning sounds and short fast riffs of "Memories of You"

Those who like Brownie's playing should check out his more famous (and typical) hard bop efforts-all excellent. Very highly recommended-as long as you don't mind some orchestra (and some sentimentalism) in your jazz.

The tone of Brown is gorgeous and the album works as a wonderful showcase for Brown whose pure playing booms and solos out clearly over and away from the strings..the album's mix sounds somewhat juxtaposed but this was 1956..and the record does say Clifford Brown with Strings..
Of course it could have been better in retrospect when one considers a similar concept such as Bird's with Strings..but then again let us be glad this CD reissue was given fine treatment and sound, wonderfully packaged with emotive quality.

SMOOTH AS SILK, BUT PRECISE LIKE A RAZOR. A GIANT. MY EARS NEVER GROW TIRED OF THIS RECORD. THE EXPANSIVENESS OF BROWN'S VERSATILITY IS AMAZING. SUBTLE YET BOLD. THE DELICATE BEATS FROM ROACH ADD A SERENE BACKGROUND FOR BROWN'S EXQUISITE SOLOS. ONE OF THE GEMS FOR ANY COMPREHENSIVE JAZZ COLLECTION.

While it's true that "jazz with strings" albums tend to be lowest common denominator, this one is absolutely beautiful. Yes, the arrangements are schmaltzy, but just listen to Brownie's lyrical lines, embellishing the melodies without straying too far. He died too young, and every recording is a treasure. Just listen to "Stardust" and you'll see.

Clifford Brown "With Strings" is simply a landmark jazz recording. There have been several with strings records made through the years, but trust me when I say that this is one of the best ones I ever heard. Released on Emarcy Records in 1955, Brown proves why he's one of the most lyrical trumpeters to ever grace the bandstand. If you dig Brown, I also suggest getting "Brown and Roach, Inc." or "Study In Brown" to hear him play some outstanding bebop jazz.

All of these pieces were arranged by Neal Hefti. The rhythm section is Richie Powell on piano, George Morrow on bass, and Max Roach on drums. This group of musicians doesn't get a chance to stretch out like on the bebop recordings, but they provide terrific backup for Brown. You couldn't have asked for a better rhythm section.

If you enjoy horn with strings records, then I would highly recommend picking this one up.

Also recommended: Roy Hargrove with Strings: Moment To Moment, Harold Land - A Lazy Afternoon, and Clark Terry - Clark After Dark: The Ballad Album.

Clifford Brown had it all; tone, technique, imagination, deep melodicism, marrying this with Neil Hefti's wonderful arrangements makes for one hell of an recording - "Stardust" is sublime!

Clifford Brown had one of the purest tones of all the modern trumpet players. He could play as effortlessly and inventively as Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro, but for beauty of tone he might have been the best. These are beautiful renditions of standard tunes; "Portrait of Jenny" is my favorite, but all are terrific. Neal Hefti arranged and conducted. Recorded in 1955.