Consider the Source (1956)

About this title: Long before he became a crossover star, Ramsey Lewis essentially played straight-ahead jazz. On this Chess reissue CD, 17 selections are taken from three former LPs dating from 1956-1959. Although one wishes that all of the music had been reissued complete on two CDs, this set with bassist Eldee Young and drummer Red Holt does give one a definitive look at Lewis in his early days. The pianist had a bluish and soulful yet swinging style, and among the highlights of the CD are "I'll Remember April," a memorable rendition of "Delilah," "Please Send Me Someone to Love," and "On the Street Where ... read more

Tracks:

1. Carmen [Biset]
2. I'll Remember April [Raye/DePaul/Johnsto]
3. Bei Mir Bist du Schön [Jacobs/Cahn/Chaplin]
4. My Funny Valentine [Hart/Rodgers]
5. Dee's New Blues [Porter]
6. Delilah [Young]
7. I Get a Kick Out of You [Porter]
8. Please Send Me Someone to Love [Mayfield]
9. Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair [Traditional]
10. It Ain't Necessarily So [Gershwin/Gershwin]
11. On the Street Where You Live [Lerner/Loewe]
12. C.C. Rider [Traditional]
13. Love for Sale [Porter]
14. I Love Paris [Porter]
15. Song of India [Rimsky-Korsakov]
16. Walls of Jericho [Traditional]
17. Consider the Source [Lewis/Holy/Yound]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.