KING PLEASURE & ANNIE ROSS: King Pleasure Sings, Annie Ross Sings (1952-1954)

KING PLEASURE
Mais um "segredo-muito-bem-guardado": o legendário KING PLEASURE, predecessor (ao lado de outra legenda, Eddie Jefferson) do estilo intitulado "vocalese", cujo maior expoente veio a ser JON HENDRICKS. A gravação de King Pleasure de "Moody´s mood for love" (na verdade, o antológico improviso de James Moody sobre a melodia de "I´m in the mood for love", para o qual Eddie Jefferson escreveu uma letra) foi a primeira e continua a ser um modelo,  reproduzido por diversos cantores de jazz. Apesar de ter influenciado a um sem número de cantores e vocalistas, KING PLEASURE continua a ser um ilustre desconhecido, inclusive para a maioria dos "jazzmaníacos".
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KING PLEASURE
King Pleasure (March 24, 1922 - March 21, 1981) was a jazz vocalist and an early master of vocalese, where a singer sings words to a famous instrumental solo. Born as Clarence Beeks in Oakdale, Tennessee, he moved to New York City in the mid-1940s and became a fan of bebop music. King Pleasure first achieved popularity by singing the Eddie Jefferson vocalese classic "Moody's Mood for Love," based on a James Moody saxophone solo to "I'm in the Mood for Love" in 1949. Pleasure's recording in 1952 is considered a jazz classic. He cites Jefferson as an influence and predecessor. He and Betty Carter also recorded a famous vocalese version of "Red Top," a jazz classic penned by Kansas Citian Ben Kynard and recorded by Gene Ammons and others. Pleasure was cited as a significant influence by Van Morrison, especially on his album Astral Weeks. Genya Ravan's big inspiration for her singing ability was King Pleasure. She recorded Moodys Mood For Love with James Moody on her CBS Recording ' Genya Ravan'
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ALBUM REVIEW
The only word I can think of to describe this CD is classic. Having listened to King Pleasure back in the day it was a pleasant surprise to see this CD with most of his major recordings on Reprise. The first time I heard "Don't get scared " as an impressionable teenagager the song struck a chord with me. The simple lyrics and message as delivered by King Pleasure were perfect, I was an instant fan. This CD is timeless and stands up almost fifty years later as most of these recordings were made in the early 1950's. The scat singing style spawned a lot of imitators but King Pleasure was an original. Although these recordings are different from other recordings on LP they are nonetheless superb, with beautiful engineering that doesn't compromise the integrity of the time period yet has a "clean" sound. My faves are "Jumpin with Symphony Sid," "Don't get scared," "Parker's Mood"," I'm in the mood for love" and the instrumental "Funk Junction." The duet with Blossom Dearie on "Moody's Mood for Love "is excellent although there are better versions around. By comparison his duet with Betty Carter on "Red Top' is memoreable with none finer. The surrounding cast on these recordings is like a who's who of jazz with the likes of such giants as JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, vocals by Jon Hendricks and Eddie Jefferson, Art Blakey on drums, Paul Chambers on bass including arrangements and direction by Quincy Jones and numerous others. This is swinging music from a different time period that is mellow straight no chaser stuff. You can just imagine a smoky honky tonk with this music filtering through the grey haze of cigarette smoke, times have changed but classics remain. Put this CD on and slip into your own time machine. Although I bought this for the King Pleasure music it was a nice treat to have the included songs(4) of Annie Ross who I was unfamilar with, she can swing and sing. Her style reminds me of Keely Smith, very nice articulation and scat stylings. The entire package is worthwhile for jazz fans of the vocal style known as scat. Buy this CD for something different or if you are an old fan like me to reminesce. Classic stuff from the past for the present.
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ALBUM RELEASE
The brief life span of classic jazz vocalese singing found its first inspiration in these King Pleasure sides. Pleasure vocalized many bebop solos by the likes of James Moody, Charlie Parker, and Lester Young, often adding his own hip and witty lyrics to the mix. Initially issued on his debut, Moody's Mood for Love, the first eight sides here include solid senders like Parker's Mood, Red Top (based on a Gene Ammons solo and featuring singer Betty Carter), and Jumpin' With Symphony Sid (Lester Young). Balancing out the boppish fare, Pleasure also delivers ballads like This Is Always (featuring the Dave Lambert Singers) and his own composition, Don't Be Scared (up-and-coming vocalese star Jon Hendriks guests). Future Hendriks cohort Annie Ross co-headlines this LP, matching Pleasure's best with hits like Twisted (Wardell Gray) and Farmer's Market (Art Farmer). Her wordless scat feature, Annie's Lament, is a highlight as well. A must for bop and vocal jazz fans.
By Stephen Cook, AMG.
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MINHA OPINIÃO
Só mesmo um sujeito da importância de KING PLEASURE - uma espécie de "vocalista-dos-vocalistas" - poderia reunir ao seu redor, numa gravação, gente do calibre do "personnel" listado ali embaixo. Neste álbum, ele divide as honras com a grande ANNIE ROSS (sim, ela mesma - a do trio "Hendricks, Lambert & Ross"), além dos ilustres convidados a que me referi. Uma raridade, preciosíssima!
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KING PLEASURE & ANNIE ROSS: King Pleasure Sings, Annie Ross Sings (1952-1954)

PERSONNEL:
King Pleasure, Annie Ross, Betty Carter, Blossom Dearie, The Three Riffs, The Dave Lambert Singers, Jon Hendricks- (Vocals);
Lucky Thompson- (Tenor Sax);
Danny Bank- (baritone Sax);
Eddie Lewis- (Trumpet);
J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding- (Trombone);
Charlie Ferguson, Teacho Wiltshire, John Lewis, George Wallington, Ed Swanston, Jimmy Jones (Piano)
Ram Ramirez- (Organ);
Peck Morrison, Paul Chambers, Percy Heath- (Bass);
Herbie Lovelle, Art Blakey, Joe Harris, Kenny Clarke- (Drums);
Quincy Jones - (Arrangements)

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
01. Red Top (King Pleasure) 3:14
02. Jumpin' With The Symphony Sid (King Pleasure) 2:33
03. Sometimes I'm Happy (King Pleasure) 2:55
04. This Is Always (King Pleasure )3:14
05. What Can I Say (After I Say I'm Sorry) (King Pleasure) 3:09
06. Don't Get Scared (King Pleasure )3:18
07. Parker's Mood (King Pleasure) 2:57
08. I'm Gone (King Pleasure) 3:31
09. I'm In The Mood For Love (King Pleasure )3:01
10. Exclamation Blues (King Pleasure) 2:37
11. You're Crying (King Pleasure) 3:10
12. Funk Junction (King Pleasure) 3:04
13. Twisted (Annie Ross) 2:38
14. Farmer's Market (Annie Ross) 2:43
15. The Time Was Right (Annie Ross) 3:17
16. Annie's Lament (Annie Ross) 2:59