The Kansas City Sessions (1997)

About this title: This is a CD overflowing with classic performances. The great Lester Young is heard with the 1938 version of the Kansas City Six, a group also including trumpeter Buck Clayton (in prime form), Eddie Durham on electric guitar (where he preceded Charlie Christian) and trombone, the rhythm guitar of Freddie Green, bassist Walter Page, and drummer Jo Jones. The four selections (all of which are joined by an alternate take apiece) are most notable for Young's switching to clarinet on some of the pieces. His clarinet solo on "I Want a Little Girl" sounds eerily like Paul Desmond's alto of 15 years ... read more

Tracks:

1. Way Down Yonder in New Orleans [Take 2] [Creamer/Layton]
2. Way Down Yonder in New Orleans [Creamer/Layton]
3. Countless Blues [Gabler]
4. Countless Blues [Take 2] [Gabler]
5. Them There Eyes [Take 2] [Pinkard/Tauber/Trac]
6. Them There Eyes [Pinkard/Tracey/Taub]
7. I Want a Little Girl [Moll/Mencher]
8. I Want a Little Girl [Take 2] [Mencher/Moll]
9. Pagin' the Devil [Gabler/Page]
10. Pagin' the Devil [Take 2] [Gabler/Page]
11. Three Little Words [Take 2] [Kalmar/Ruby]
12. Three Little Words [Kalmar/Ruby]
13. Jo-Jo [Bushkin]
14. I Got Rhythm [Take 3] [Gershwin/Gershwin]
15. I Got Rhythm [Take 2] [Gershwin/Gershwin]
16. I Got Rhythm [Gershwin/Gershwin]
17. Four O'Clock Drag [Gabler]
18. Four O'Clock Drag [Take 3] [Gabler]
19. Laughing at Life [Kenny/Kenny/Todd/To]
20. Good Morning Blues [Rushing/Basie/Durha]
21. I Know That You Know [Caldwell/Youmans]
22. Love Me or Leave Me [Kahn/Donaldson]

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