Customer Reviews

Freddie Freeloader

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jon Hendricks is "The James Joyce of Jive", and nowhere is that label better proven than here. This album is tremendous. The highlights are "Freddie Freeloader", where Hendricks does the Miles Davis' classic from "Kind of Blue" with solos for Al Jarreau, George Benson and himself to sing, copying note-for-note the solos of Miles, Trane and Cannonball; and the set-ender, another note-for-note vocalese recreation of the Benny Goodman version of Louis Prima's "Sing Sing Sing." Hendricks throughout his career has been the preeminent interpreter of Count Basie via original vocalese, and he starts this set with another--a marvelous note-for-note re-creation of "Jumpin' at the Woodside." Hendricks was in his 70's when this album was recorded and released; senior citizens should take note and have hope!

A wonderful CD, well worth buying for the vocal arrangements of Miles' "Freddie Freeloader" and Monk's "Rhythm a ning" alone. Many of the tracks are very recognizable classics as instrumentals, finely (and finally) remade by Hendricks to lyrics and voice. The one star off is not for Hendricks, but for the sometimes squeeky vocals of Manhattan Transfer singing nearly too high for comfort.

... I believe the inventor of Vocalese was actually King Pleasure. In any case, I was wholly impressed with Freddie Freeloader...especially the title track. True Jazz Vocalists are a scarce commodity and Jon Hendricks' old but agile vocal cords exemplify the art of vocalese and vocal jazz improvisation. Bobby McFerrin's ethereal falsetto floats with startling presicion over Adderley's piano licks. Enjoyable for beginning jazz fans and purists alike - Swingin.

Eversince I heard Jon Hendricks' reinterpretation of Monk's "Trinkle-Trikle", taped by a friend from the radio airways some 15 years ago, I was predestined to buy this magnificent album.

Hendricks is still in his prime here, flexible and imaginative (with age only adding slightly rougher edge to his already highly expressive voice), leading virtuoso vocal groups (featuring Judith and Aria Hendricks), with some magnificent vocal guests - Al Jareau, Bobby McFerrin and George Benson at their best (The Manhattan Transfer's performance is not as much to my taste; luckily their take on Gil Evans orchestration is the shortest number of this classic album...)

The remarkable instrumental guests on various numbers are also quite impresive, for instance (at the time quite young) trumpet player Wynton Marsalis, but also (anything but young, but still remarkable) trombon player Al Grey, the entire Count Basie's ghost orchestra lead by the great Frank Foster (who also solos on tenor), pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist George Mraz, drummer Jimmy Cobb, tenorist Stanley Turrentine...

The concept of the album is, basically, rearranging the highlights from the history of jazz into vocal and vocal-instrumental extravaganzas, including takes on classical recordings of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis (his work with Coltrane and Adderley as well as with Gil Evans), with some fine originals and less familiar tunes basically based on one or another aspect of jazz tradition.

So, whether it is Hendricks exploding on Coltrane's solo from the album's title cut and on Lester Young's solo from the album's inital number, or the remarkable versions on Monk's masterpieces, the comments of the classical swing big bands or of Satchmo's classics from the 30's, this album is exquisit ( with the possible exception of a number or two).

I'd say "Freddeie Freeloader" is perfect or at least nearly perfect album, which goes both for the vocalese and the occasional free and highdriving scatting by Hendricks, Jareau and company.
If you don't understand the point of vocalese (why sing instrumental solos?) just listen to these tracks: human voice is one of the noblest instrument under the sun, and the voices on this album (particularly Hendricks' voice) are among the finest and most flexible voices ever recorded in jazz, comparable to the classical voices of Armstrong, Rushing, Bessie, Billie, Sarah or Jack Teagarden...

When they interpret ellements from jazz history wiht their wild arrangements, be-bop slant and witty lyrics on the verge of incomprehensibility, something new; both beautiful and original is created.

Hendricks is a master, and if I remember correctly, the inventor, of vocalese--the art of taking great jazz instrumental solos, writing appropriate and entertaining lyrics to them, and singing them with finesse. Hendricks performs with an all-star cast of singers he's influenced: among them the Manhattan Transfer and New York Voices. My personal favorites are the title track (with Bobby McFerrin singing Wynton Kelly's piano lines, Al Jarreau singing Miles Davis' trumpet, Hendricks taking on Coltrane's tenor, and George Benson as Cannonball Adderly) and a beautiful, heartfelt rendition of "In Summer." The whole album is great. It's a fulfilling listening experience in itself, and when you go back and listen to the original instrumental pieces, it calls your attention to just how phenomenally good this music is to begin with. Enjoy!

Eddie Jefferson. Inventor of "Moody's Mood For Love" and many other classics, Eddie Jefferson was the first to invent it, perform it and record it. In fact, "Moody's..." was covered about two years ago by one of the original Take Six vocalists who went solo (can't remember his name...).

With that aside, this album is pure creativity. Aside from the head-scratching, why-did-you-do-it vocalese on "High As A Mountain" with Manhattan Transfer (That track was shrill as an instrumental, and is nigh unbearable with voices), there is not a clam to be found, and the pure joy and vocal gymnastics between Hendricks, Benson and Jarreau on "Listen To Monk" (their title for Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-a-ning") is a complete inspiration.

BUY THIS CD.

In covering these classic tunes, complete with famous solo's from other artist's renditions like Miles Davis's version of "Freddie Freeloader", Hendricks and company completely dominant these tunes with style, finese, and virtuosity. This is a must have for any serious jazz fan and will not dissapoint, trust me! It will go down in musicology classes as required listening and studying long after Mr. Hendricks leaves us for God's vocalestra...Jon, you are the man and will always be the man!

If you like vocalese, then this cd is for you. The song selection and performances are excellent. In my opinion, it stands up with the best Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross stuff. It is clear that a lot of love and effort went into the making of this record. Buy and enjoy.

What else can you say, aside from marvelous, infectious and just plain DAMN GOOD!!
But then, what else would you expect from an American treasure; not to mention a living
legend; being backed by some of the most gifted artists in the business! As the driving
force behind the seminal trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, one wonders why John hasn't
produced MORE of these kinds on projects, ON HIS OWN!! Terrance L. Hodges

i really liked freddie freeloader (i.e. the song, not the whole album by that name) on the radio and bought it, just that one song from itunes. some of the songs on this album sound good based on the preview but not all.