Abbey Lincoln (4)

Abbey Lincoln - 1957 - That's Him!

01. Strong Man That's Him! 02. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe 03. My Man 04. Tender As A Rose 05. That's Him 06. I Must Have That Man! 07. I Must Have That Man! [#] 08. Porgy 09. Porgy [#] 10. When A Woman Loves A Man 11. Don't Explain

This 1957 release marked Abbey's first early peak. It's a wonderful and confident set with a stunning ensemble: Sonny Rollins on tenor sax and Kenny Dorham on trumpet, Wynton Kelly on piano, and a rhythm section of Paul Chambers on bass and Max Roach on drums. Lincoln opens with Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Strong Man"--Lincoln was one of the performers who regularly recorded his songs prior to his own debut as a recording artist in the early '60s. Kelly in particular is a wonderfully supportive accompanist, dancing around her with grace and style. The gorgeous and dramatic "Tender as a Rose" is presented acapella. Throughout, Lincoln's singing easily mingles jazz, blues and folk influences and phrasings. This strong album pointed the way to her ABBEY IS BLUE, her essential work recorded two years later.

Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York, New York on October 28, 1957. Originally released on Riverside (251). Includes original liner notes by Orrin Keepnews.

Personnel: Abbey Lincoln (vocals); Sonny Rollins (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Kenny Dorham (trumpet); Wynton Kelly (piano); Max Roach (drums)..

                                                  Abbey Lincoln - 1958 - It's Magic

<><><><><><><><>

A1	I Am in Love		2:51
A2	It's Magic		3:58
A3	Just for Me		3:09
A4	An Occasional Man		3:18
A5	Ain't Nobody's Business		4:23
B1	Out of the Past		4:41
B2	Music, Maestro, Please		3:14
B3	Love		2:38
B4	Exactly Like You		2:48
B5	Little Niles		4:48

Because Abbey Lincoln has always been careful to sing songs that have a deep meaning for her, all of her recordings through the years are memorable in their own way; there are no duds in her discography. Her second Riverside session (and her third recording), It's Magic has been reissued on this CD in the Original Jazz Classics series. The backup musicians are among the best in jazz at the time (Kenny Dorham or Art Farmer on trumpet, trombonist Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson on tenor, Jerome Richardson or Sahib Shihab on reeds, pianist Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers or Sam Jones on bass, and drummer Philly Joe Jones) and they have opportunities to play short solos. Lincoln is heard at her early best on such numbers as "I Am in Love," "An Occasional Man," "Out of the Past" and Randy Weston's "Little Niles." Recommended.


                                                Abbey Lincoln - 1959 - Abbey is Blue

01 : Afro-Blue
02 : Lonely House
03 : Let Up
04 : Thursday’s Child
05 : Brother, Where Are You
06 : Laugh, Clown, Laugh
07 : Come Sunday
08 : Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
09 : Lost in the Stars
10 : Long as You’re Living




Abbey Lincoln's third of three Riverside albums (all of these recommended sets have been reissued on CD) directly precedes her more adventurous work with drummer (and then-husband) Max Roach. With fine backup from trumpeter Kenny Dorham, pianist Wynton Kelly, Les Spann (doubling on guitar and flute), bassist Sam Jones and drummer Philly Joe Jones) on seven of the ten numbers and by Roach's regular quintet of the time on the other three selections, Abbey Lincoln is quite emotional and distinctive during a particularly strong set. Highlights include the first vocal version ever of "Afro-Blue," "Come Sunday," Oscar Brown, Jr.'s "Brother, Where Are You," "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," "Long as You're Living" and Lincoln's own "Let Up." A very memorable set.

                              Abbey Lincoln's Affair, A Story of a Girl in Love, 1956

Affair (1993) Cd
1. Love Walked In
2. I Didn't Know About You
3. Would I Love You
4. I Wake Up Smiling
5. This Can't Be Love
6. Crazy He Calls Me
7. Two Cigarettes In The Dark
8. The Masquerade Is Over
9. Take Me In Your Arms
10. Together
11. Affair
12. No More
13. Warm Valley
14. You Do Something To Me
15. Do Nothing 'til You Hear From Me
16. The Answer Is No
17. Lonesome Cup Of Coffee
18. She Didn't Say Yes

LABEL=Capitol Jazz

This CD reissues the music from Abbey Lincoln's first LP along with two slightly earlier numbers originally available as a single. Lincoln was at the time making the transition from a potential sex symbol and lounge singer to becoming a dramatic jazz interpreter. Her voice was recognizable even at this early stage but some of the ballads are more lightweight than the ones she would be performing in the near future. Backed by anonymous orchestras arraged by Benny Carter, Jack Montrose and Marty Paich, Abbey Lincoln's straightforward delivery was already impressive and pleasing