STAN KENTON - Four Classic Albums (The Ballad Style Of Stan Kenton / Standards In Silhouette / The Romantic Approach / Sophisticated Approach) (2CD)

AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic Albums series with a re-mastered 2CD release from Stan Kenton, complete with original artwork, liner notes and personnel details;
“The Ballad Style Of Stan Kenton”; “Standards In Silhouette”; “The Romantic Approach” and “Sophisticated Approach”
Perhaps we have been a little unfair to Mr Stan Kenton? Way back before our highly successful remastered 2CD re-release programme we modestly called The Classic Album Series began we featured many great jazz names. (Please check our online catalogue for a complete listing). Mr Kenton was one of the first names chosen in the as yet un-named but early iteration of the Classic Album series. We called the album “Artistry In Rhythm” (AMSC912). The 2CD set contained two complete albums, the classic “Kenton in Hi-Fi” and “Cuban Fire!” on the second side while the first side contained a selection of top Kenton tracks. Although it didn’t feature our as yet distinctive artwork I always had a soft spot for the cover! Later on when the Classic Series was under way we not only wanted to feature the top names but were also looking for perhaps less heralded jazz men to honour. From our early Kenton release we discovered Kenton bass-man Don Bagley (AMSC1231). Here we presented three hard to find Don Bagley albums but for our fourth title we hit upon the man himself for the ground-breaking “New Concepts In Artistry And Rhythm”. For our first authentic Classic Album release from Stan Kenton we were trying to set a mood for the entire set. Checking out his albums our four selections initially stood out for their titles! They all suggested a cool, mellow mood and indeed on listening to them all that’s exactly what they did! This set features a mellow Stan Kenton enjoying a cool relaxed time with his fellow musicians both in band and orchestra format who include the likes of Bill Perkins, Richie Kamuca, Lennie Niehaus, Mel Lewis, Charlie Mariano, Don Sebresky, Pete Chivily, Jimmy Campbell, Don Fagerquist and Red Kelly. The cast is impressive, the music is even more impressive, take a listen.
Check out:- Helen Humes (AMSC1397); Tony Bennett (AMSC1391); Ralph Burns (AMSC1224); June Christy (AMSC1392 & 1305); Don Elliott (AMSC1185); Victor Feldman (AMSC1395); Stan Kenton (AMSC912); Don Bagley (AMSC1231); Marty Paich (AMSC1173 & 1168); Pete Rugolo (AMSC1176); Sauter Finnegan (AMSC1246 & 1212); Four Freshmen (AMSC1325).

CD1
1-12: ‘The Ballad Style Of Stan Kenton’
1. Then I’ll Be Tired Of You
2. More Than You Know
3. When Stars Looked Down
4. The End Of A Love Affair
5. A Sunday Kind Of Love
6. Moon Song
7. Early Autumn
8. How Am I To Know
9. The Things We Did Last Summer
10. We’ll Be Together Again
11. How Deep Is The Ocean (How High Is The Sky)
12. The Night We Called It A Day
13-20: ‘Standards In Silhouette’
13. Willow Weep For Me
14. The Thrill Is Gone
15. The Meaning Of The Blues
16. When Sunny Gets Blue
17. Ill Wind
18. Django
19. I Get Along Without You Very Well
20. Lonely Woman

CD2
1-12: ‘The Romantic Approach’
1. When Your Lover Has Gone
2. All The Things You Are
3. I’m Glad There Is You
4. Say It Isn’t So
5. Imagination
6. Sweet & Lovely
7. Fools Rush In
8. You’re Mine, You!
9. Once In A While
10. Moonlight In Vermont
11. I Understand
12. Oh! You Crazy Moon
13-24: ‘Sophisticated Approach’
13. But Beautiful
14. Darn That Dream
15. It Might As Well Be Spring
16. Moonlight Becomes You
17. How Do I Look In Blue
18. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
19. How Long Has This Been Going On
20. Memoirs Of A Lady
21. Time After Time
22. Easy To Love
23. My One And Only Love
24. Like Someone In Love