Leonard Feather's Jazz Club U.S.A. presents/Jimmy Raney Visits Paris #1

As part of Leonard Feather's "Jazz Club U.S.A." European tour in early 1954, guitarist Raney is presented in the fine company of pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Bobby White. The music on this date, as well as the recording quality, is superb for its time. Raney and Mitchell had worked together in Red Norvo's trio, while Clark and White were the rhythmic anchors in Buddy DeFranco's group. One can't help but compare the sensitive yet energetic approach that Raney and Clark have toward their respective instruments. Both musicians have a truly artful touch with very clear articulation, never sounding hurried or arbitrary, or getting in the other's way. There are some lovely quartet interpretations of standard tunes, plus a piano trio rendition of "Once In a While." Listen to Red Mitchell's bass take the melody on "You Go to My Head" supported by Clark and Raney's sympathetic comping.

Lee Bloom

Source : http://www.allmusic.com/album/visits-paris-vol-1-r308414

Jimmy Raney
Visits Paris
[Leonard Feather's Jazz Club U.S.A. presents]
(BVCJ-37035)

Tracks

1 Stella by Starlight (Washington, Young)  4:31
2 Pennies from Heaven (Burke, Johnston)  3:17
3 You Go to My Head (Coots, Gillespie)  6:04
4 Yesterdays (Harbach, Kern)  3:01
5 There Will Never Be Another You (Gordon, Warren)  4:28
6 Body and Soul (Eyton, Green, Heyman, Sour)  3:38
7 Once in a While (Edwards, Green)  4:32

*

Personnel
Jimmy Raney - g
Sonny Clarke - p
Red Mitchell - b
Bobby White - dr

Recorded in Paris ; February 6, 1954

Complete session (alt. takes) here

*

Here we have another case of Vogue's inaccurate labels. In addition to the careless naming of "What's New ?" as What's Knew, they make no mention of a trumpet for this number or "Love For Sale", though there is definitely one.

He is Roger Geurin (or should it be Guerin ? the label spells it one way, the sleeve notes the other) heard also in "Dinah". The sleeve notes describe him as a Miles Davis disciple. If that is meant to mean anything approaching the equal of Davis, I am afraid it is almost as much of an exaggeration as the claims made for Bobby Jaspar on the sleeve of his earlier reviewed LP, inferred again in the sleeve of this one in the statement that "Bobby's cool stylings completely knocked Jimmy Raney out."

Gramophone, August 1954, p. 64
E. J.

Source : http://www.gramophone.net/Issue/Page/August%201954/64/783237/

Jimmy Raney
Visits Paris, vol. 1
(BVCJ-37028)

Tracks

1 Très Chouette (Raney)  4:32
2 Imagination (Burke, VanHeusen)  4:40
3 Dinah (Akst, Lewis, Young)  4:03
4 Love for Sale (Porter)  3:03
5 Have You Met Miss Jones ? (Hart, Rodgers)  5:26
6 What's New ? (Burke, Haggart)  4:23

*

Personnel
Jimmy Raney - g
Bobby Jaspar - ts [# 1, 2, 4 & 5]
Roger Guérin - tp [# 3, 4 & 6]
Maurice Vand[e]r - p
Jean-Marie-Ingrand - b
Jean-Louis Viale - dr

Recorded in Paris ; February 10, 1954

Complete session (vol. 1 & 2) here