03 Mar
Le Grand Freddy by Freddy Cole
- Written by Lee Prosser
-
font size
decrease font size
increase font size
Vocalist/pianist Freddy Cole shows obvious good taste in recording the works of the French composer Michel Legrand. This CD is compiled from various sessions from 1994, 1997, 1998 and 1999. This mixture results in several different pianists and sidemen being heard. Although Freddy always plays piano himself in personal appearances, he uses other keyboard talent on recording dates. On this release you'll hear Mike Renzi on the 1999 material plus Grover Washington Jr., Cedar Walton and Cyrus Chestnut on the other dates. All sessions were recorded in New York City. Other sidemen include George Mraz, Grady Tate, Joe Locke, Lew Soloff and Lou Marini. The eleven selections are some of Legrand's best such as I Will Wait For You/ The Windmills Of Your Mind/ You Must Believe In Spring and Once Upon a Summertime. Now in his late 60's, Freddy Cole sounds as good as ever. His voice is similar, but smokier in comparison to his elder brother Nat. Freddy Cole first recorded in 1952 when he turned out a single, "The Joke's On Me" for Chicago's obscure Topper label. He continued with such labels as Okeh, Dot, DeLite and other US labels in the 50s and 60s. The seventies found him in Europe touring and recording for British labels. Holding a master's degree in music from the New England Conservatory of Music, added to a stint at Julliard, his influences became John Lewis, Oscar Peterson and Teddy Wilson. I really like this latest effort and give it a high recommendation. You may like to check out the other five Freddy Cole CDs on Fantasy.
Additional Info
- Artist / Group Name: Freddy Cole
- CD Title: Le Grand Freddy
- Genre: Straight-Ahead / Classic
- Year Released: 1999
- Record Label: Fantasy Records
- Tracks: I Will Wait For You, The Windmills Of Your Mind, You Must Believe In Spring, Once Upon a Summertime, and others.
- Musicians: Freddy Cole (Vocalist/pianist),Mike Renzi, Grover Washington Jr., Cedar Walton, Cyrus Chestnut, George Mraz, Grady Tate, Joe Locke, Lew Soloff and Lou Marini
- Label Website: -
- Rating: Five Stars
Read 116
times
Published in
Straight-Ahead / Classic - CD Reviews
