Things Are Getting Better All the Time

Al Grey, Johnson/Grey, J.j.johnson & Al Grey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 13, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ojc
• ASIN: B000000YXZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #268,086 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Soft Winds

2. Let Me See

3. Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise

4. It's Only a Paper Moon

5. Boy Meets Horn

6. Things Ain't What They Used to Be

7. Things Are Getting Better All the Time

8. Doncha Hear Me Callin' to Ya

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A masterful album from two veterans, March 25, 2001

By 

Phillip Johnson (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Things Are Getting Better All the Time (Audio CD)

This album is a meeting of two of the great trombone players from the bop era. Both J.J. and Grey are Count Basie alumnus, and it is no surprise that the Count would have had these guys in his band. It is demonstrated on this album time and time again just how good J.J. and Grey are.

The CD opens with a classic Benny Goodman tune, Soft Winds. It is played at a frenetic break-neck speed and both the trombonists pull out great solos. There are a good mix of tracks on the CD; fast swinging numbers; slow ballads, such as track 3 and 4; and funky numbers, such as tracks 7 and 8. The diversity of the music played on this album demonstrates how versatile both the leaders are. The all-star rythm section are not over shadowed by the two horn men. Barron plays an especially brilliant solo on "Let Me See" and Ray Brown shows why he is considered a master of the upright bass on track 7.

Throughout the album Grey muted (his trademak) and J.J plays open, allowing his brilliant tone to be revealed. This variation in timbre provides a fantastic textured feeling on all tracks. It is easy to hear the two distinct personalities of the trombonists in their solos.

A must for any jazz fan.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Master and His Friend, October 26, 2009

By 

C. Lambert "trombonist upper mediocre" (Shreveport LA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Things Are Getting Better All the Time (Audio CD)

J. J. Johnson was one of my models growing up in the '50s and '60s. He has so many great ideas and such superb technique that listening to him play is a learning experience as well as an enjoyable one. The other player provides some interesting and entertaining moments.