Year: Reissued in 2001 - Originally Released in 1962 - 1964
Record Label: Rhino Home Video
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, Jimmy
Rushing
Review: Rhino Home Video hit a splendid chord
with the release on DVD of some of Ralph
Gleason's "Jazz Casual" television programs from
the early 1960s.
This particular issue covers three thirty minute
shows featuring jazz vocalists of the era. The
featured vocalists represent a variety of styles
from the early efforts of Carmen McRae, the
smooth voice of Mel Tormé to the classic blues of
Jimmy Rushing. Each artist also appears in a short
interview and performs six tunes.
Carmen McRae shines in a trio setting with pianist
Norman Simmons, bassist Victor Sproles and
drummer Walter Perkins. McRae also plays a bit of
piano at the end of her segment. Mel Tormé is
showcased with the trio of drummer Benny Barth.
The "Velvet Fog" performs a great scat version of
"Route 66" and sits in as pianist on "When Sunny
Gets Blue."
I'm certainly a big fan of the three entertainers on
this issue but must confess that the Jimmy Rushing
appearance was the highlight of this DVD. The
bluesman's gentle manner and interesting
anecdotes just exude the "charm" that was Jimmy
Rushing. He appears in relaxed conversation with
Ralph Gleason who had the wonderful talent of
coaxing the performer into rendering great stories
while uttering few words as the interviewer.
Rushing simply sits at the piano and plays and
sings his most beloved songs. You'll never be able
to watch this performance only once. It just
screams for repeated viewing.
The TV series was originally broadcast on the
National Education Television Network between
1960 and 1968. Other issues are planned while
some are already available including Woody
Herman, Art Farmer/Jim Hall and Gerry Mulligan.
The broadcasts are, of course, in black and white.
Perhaps issues from the late 60s will be in color.
I'm quite happy with the monochrome format and
would prefer it to "colorized" issues. Great stuff!
Record Label Website: http://www.rhino.com
Reviewed by:
Lee Prosser
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