Customer Reviews

Hollywood Madness

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Unfortunately, this energetic and exciting recording (packed with lot's of fun and surprizes, including a mumbling cameo by Tom Waits) was overshadowed by the murder of Richie's spiritual godfather and partner in crime Eddie Jefferson only a couple of weeks after it was recorded. - - The presence of Eddie on an album with The Manhattan Transer was supposed to be a hint of greater things to come... but sadly just when it was all about to come to fruition, his life was taken... still, before tragedy struck, we were lucky that not only did he enter the studio with the Transfer to record an incredible track (Waitin' for Waits), but he was also captured on video (with Richie Cole) live at the Jazz Showcase.

This very uptempo and hard swinging album features a great and fired up ensemble. The LP sounded as if it was sped up a key to add even more energy (some of the drum hits seem to give it away) but maybe I'm wrong... however, if its true I hope they slowed it back down.

Anyway, the ensemble includes Bruce Foreman, guitar; Dick Hindman, piano; Marshall Hawkins, bass; Les DeMerle, Drums; Michael Spiro, percussion - - and the line up of the Transfer circa 1980 - - Hauser, Siegel, Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne. - - My personal fave on the CD (besides Waitin' for Waits) is Relaxin' at Camarillo - - Eddie takes one of his best scat solos of all time... and Richie Cole is definitely at his prime... happier times indeed.

With the reissue of this CD, and many of Eddie's other CDs, and Richie Coles CD, the music lingers on. In fact, I recently recorded a session called Remembering Eddie Jefferson with Giacomo Gates and James Spaulding, and Giacomo is definitely carrying the tourch into the new millenium !

This is one of those hidden gems. Jazz musicians and listeners sometimes take themselves too seriously. Not on this one. Richie has some fun with some tunes not usually associated with jazz. And it has guest appearances by Tom Waits, Mahattan Transfer and one of the last recordings by the late Eddie Jefferson.