Customer Reviews

The Original Jam Sessions 1969

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I came across this record after listening to The New Mixes Vol. 1 which creates new tracks from material created in these sessions. Not knowing what to expect although really hoping the sounds would reflect the cool album cover, I casually hit play and went on about my work. I have to say, kudos to the Concord Records and those responsible for putting this collection together! They left the sounds how they were captured at the sessions, and the results are great. There is no obvious digital salvage work (which I normally think sounds bad anyway) and the vibe and fun of these jams are truly represented.
There are some great things here - a rare solo jimmy Smith jam for about a minute that will no doubt show up as a sample sometime very soon - and some other real laid-back funky numbers. Les McCann's run through Groovy Gravy is the highlight for me. Again, a great decision was made to not edit these jams but let them exist in their entirety, allowing any inconsistencies or mistakes to reflect the true soul that these players had.
While not flawless, this is one of the most refreshing new sets in jazz available. Anyone tired of hearing slick, overproduced jazz sets that sound like any one of a thousand anonymous players will find this record to be a welcome return to loose and funky jazz.

Okay, believe it or not, for the last 37 years of my life I have had the "Hikky Burr" song on the brain. That was the title of the theme song from the original Bill Cosby show and I guess such an impression on me at four years old that I stored it deep in my brain and hummed it off and on for the last thirty seven years.

People would ask me, "Whaddaya hummin'..."

"Oh, that's the theme song from the original Bill Cosby Show back in the late sixties,early seventies..."

"There was a Cosby Show before there was a Cosby Show?"

"Back thee away from me, youngin'..."

This is a very groovy CD...funky, hip, and very, very cool...what are you going to expect from Q and the Cos?

If you like funky jam sessions, you'll love this. You'll be sittin' on your couch gettin' so caught up in the music you'll be thinking to yourself, "Now where's that cocktail waitress? I'd like to order a drink..."

"Oh, yeah, I'm at home...oh, okay, where's my wife, then?"

But then you realize that she's on the couch with you enjoying the music just as much wondering when you're gonna get the heck up and get her a diet coke...

Meanwhile, Hikky Burr is playing in the back ground...

(Ba da da da da da ba ba bump da da dada da bum bumpa dumpa da bump...the crazy bass that's been swimmin' in your head for 37 years and now you finally own it.)

Life is very good, people...

This was excellnt to hear these cats just play along in this jam session! Not only is the groove superior on a couple of track but there is som "real" jazz here also. The sound is mono but don't let it stop you from buying this great CD!
Highly Recommended
/Anders

I enjoyed the Groove element involved here between Less Mcann,Jimmy Smith,Joe sample,Ray Brown&others. Quincy Jones knows how to Assemble&Brings folks together.I dug the Soloing&Riff exhanges but some of the Material didn't get a full kick.but the cats playing Grooved though.

I honestly just bought this CD to hear "Hikky Burr", I originally heard "Hikky Burr" on the Best of Bill Cosby CD and I just loved it. So I was excited when I found out it was made for the Bill Cosby Show and there was a CD of the original recordings. Quincy Jones sure does make great funky music, and it's just a nice thing to listen to. The reason I love the song "Hikky Burr" so much is because it's just pure silliness, Bill Cosby can say anything and it'll be great. If you haven't heard it yet, you gotta buy this CD as soon as possible. Now that's not the only good track, there are some great groovy beats which I'll feature below.

Hikky Burr (Kincaid Kinfolk) (5:56)

Groovy Gravy (8:10)

Oh Happy Day (4:18)

Jimmy Cookin' on Top (Interlude) (1:42)

Toe Jam (7:49)

Jive Den (3:13)

Eubie Walkin' (7:00)

Monty, Is That You (6:42)

The Drawing Room (Interlude) (0:59)

Hikky Burr; Featuring Bill Cosby (3:35)

Hikky Burr (Mix Master Mike Remix) (3:01)

There are eleven tracks in all, I especially love the Hikky Burr remix; it's almost as good as the original version in my opinion. Another nice addition to this CD is in the pamphlet, there is a nice note written by Arthur Adams who played guitar with the group. You can tell he just loved working with Bill and Quincy, and you call tell that by how good their music is. So like I said, if you haven't picked up this CD already, get it as soon as possible, you won't regret it.

The musical combination of Bill Cosby & Quincy Jones is truly a match made in heaven. The tracks featured on this CD are a combination of incidental music from Cosby's earliest COSBY SHOW (that aired from 1969 until the early 1970s) as well as one liners from "The Coz" (Bill Cosby) himself. Bill Cosby is truly a skilled jazz vocalist and skat impov extraordinaire. That is made evident in "Hikky Burr," the song that opens and closes the album. This was the title song for the TV show. Not only is he hilarious to listen to, but he keeps great time with the funkified music, that is a hallmark of Quincy Jones' style. There are three versions of the tune (the original and the alternative versions--one which is a killer remix). The rest of the album is equally strong and you'll find yourself tapping your toes. I just hope that they release the show for which the music was featured. I am sure it was hilarious.............

Extraordinary. This reminds me of summer even though it's January 20th..........in Maine.

This is so casual it hurts, folks. I mean Laid Back! If you're hungry, it's O.K. 'cuz Jimmy COOKS!!!! (You don't even know, 'til you've tried it.)

Oh Happy Day it is, Bill, and thanks for the Christmas present, D.

Fun, engaging and funky! A great look back at the work of Q at a time when music was in such great transition and flux. Memphis Underground, Abbey Road, and a host of other great albums were completed around this time and this is another one to add to the mix. Test out a few tracks, see if you like it, and if so, you will not be disappointed. Great listening.

This is excellent jazz funk from 1969, when Quincy Jones--I just call him Music Machine--did the score for the Bill Cosby Show that year, where Bill played a basketball coach.

The fantastic bell-bottom grooves are provided by jazz cats Jones always used, like Chuck Rainy. These guys were the best music in the business, and it shows. This may have been the ultimate jam band.

All the wha whas and electric painos and textural goodies you would expect from funky '69 are here, but this is amazingly composed music, always a standout--for program music and all music

This is such a great CD to put on if you're going to clean the house or wash the car in the driveway... perfectly safe to turn up loud as it has an extremely high (near 100%) approval rating and joy factor

if you can't enjoy this recording session... you're broken inside..
(in other words: seek help)

what it is:
a series of medium speed slightly funky grooves (with a few ballads) that never fail to entertain. This is a kind of "zero dissonance" playful jazz that lifts the soul and brightens the mood... Again: The grooves are happy beats - the solo work is solid, active and upbeat with a kind of easy going confidence that can be had only from jazz masters, everybody can really play...

a must have for any musical collection...