Customer Reviews

His Complete Vj Recordings Vol.1

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

 

 

I was rather excited to hear this set, mainly because it includes the album "Bill Henderson Sings," featuring the incredible Booker Little on trumpet. I was subsequently rather dismayed to hear Little relegated not only to the background, but to the back of the studio. He took a 4-bar, 10 second solo, and was otherwise obscured.

As for the rest of the music, it's your typical, run-of-the-mill jazz lounge music. Henderson has a rather full voice, a nice blend between sheer power and dripping sweetness. He sings plenty of standards and some of them involve only voice and piano. It's music that will appeal to non-jazz musicians, such as my classical violinist girlfriend. She found it very romantic and appealing, while I was frustrated with the lack of true jazz elements in the music.

If you like a fine male voice, standards, and romantic undertones in your background music, listen to "His Vee-Jay Recordings, Vol. 1." But jazz (and Booker Little) enthusiasts, there's practically nada for you.

Features his Single "Joey, Joey, Joey" that featured The Ramsey Lewis Trio, in fact The Ramsey Lewis Trio backs Bill Henderson on the first 7 (Seven) Tracks including a moving version of "It Never Entered My Mind" and "My Funny Valentine" all from a October 26, 1959 session. The very next day Bill returned to the studio without the help of The Ramsey Lewis Trio, but backed this time with a Full Band that included: Booker Little, Yusef Lateef, Wynton Kelly, and Paul Kelly just to name a few. Highlights from this session are: "Bad Luck" and "Without You". On January 27, 1960 another Full Band recording session took place, this time featuring: Bobby Bryant, Frank Wess, and Blue Mitchell and others...The results 2 (Two) real nice songs: "Sleepy" and "I Go For That". On August 29, 1960 the was 1 (One) song recorded with MJQ + 3 (The Modern Jazz Quartet plus Three). It is misprinted as MJT + 3. The results is another version of "Sleepy". It's hard to pick which one is the better of the 2 (Two). Then you have a November 21, 1960 recording session with an Orchestra conducted by Jimmy Jones! The results (On this Volume) is 2 (Two) songs...Alternates or Original Versions of "Never Kiss And Run" and "Sleeping Bee" that are on Volume 2, but they still are standout performances! Bottom line...If you bought Volume 2, It wouldn't make too much sense not to get Volume 1 or vice/verse.