Shelly Manne & His Men - More Swinging Sounds

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

Drummer Shelly Manne and his 1956 quintet (with trumpeter Stu Williamson, altoist Charlie Mariano, pianist Russ Freeman, and bassist Leroy Vinnegar) perform some challenging material on this CD reissue. The longest piece is Bill Holman's 15-and-a-half-minute four-part suite "Quartet," which -- despite its potential complexity -- actually swings pretty well. In addition, Manne & His Men interpret Johnny Mandel's obscure "Tommyhawk," a Mariano blues number, Charlie Parker's "Moose the Mooche," and Russ Freeman's "The Wind." Shelly Manne deserves great credit for being continually open to new directions and fresh material while staying on his own singular path.

00:00 A1 Moose The Mooche 07:28 A2 The Wind 12:33 A3 Pint Of Blues 22:27 B1 Tommyhawk B2 Quartet, A Suite In Four Parts 26:44 Quartet - part I 30:01 Quartet - part II 34:50 Quartet - part III 38:48 Quartet - part IV Alto Saxophone – Charlie Mariano Bass – Leroy Vinnegar Drums – Shelly Manne Piano – Russ Freeman Trumpet – Stu Williamson Recorded in Los Angeles July 16th, August 15th, and August 16th, 1956
Contemporary Records 1957