Lester Young
1941.12.02
Billy Berg's Club Capri
Hollywood CA US

KHJ radio broadcast



Lee & Lester Young's Band

Paul Campbell (tp)
Lester Young (ts)
Hubert Maxwell "Bumps" Meyer (ts)
Jimmy Rowles (p)
Red Callender (b)
Lee Young (d)

Bill McCrystal (m.c.)



Setlist

01. untitled original > Skyline (theme) [3:37]



Source: "Lester Young: Perfect Complete Collection" Sound Hills Records SSCD-8035 CD: R-300323

Lineage: unknown aircheck > ? > Sound Hills silver CD > EAC > TLH > FLAC




YOU GOT TO BE ORIGINAL, MAN!: The Music Of Lester Young by Frank B�chmann-M�ller; Greenwood Press, Westport CT; 1990

"This broadcast is from the second night of the engagement at Billy Berg's Club Capri of the newly formed Lee And Lester Young's Band.

untitled original (AABA)

The riff used as a basis for this number is taken from "Benny's Bugle", originally a blues.

The first four bars - and maybe an introduction - are missing from this number, which is a feature for Lester. The tempo is medium and the the ensemble plays the A's of the first chorus, while Lester plays the bridge. The second chorus is all Lester, the ensemble playing a new riff in the A's of the thrid chorus, in which Lester also plays the bridge. He continues with a solo through the following chorus, the number ending with a chorus in which the ensmble plays a third riff in the A's, while Lester is also featured in the bridge.

Lester plays marvelously in a very relaxed style that brings calm to the rhythm section, in which Lee has a tendency to try and increase the tempo.

Lester shows here for the first time a new way of varying his solo, by playing more quietly and with longer notes in the bridges than in the A's. This can clearly be heard in his first solo chorus. He plays in the same way in the bridges of the ensemble choruses, making a fine contrast to the riffs.

The fourth chorus is the better one, played with more imagination than the second. The opening in particular carries the listener away, with its waving and swinging lines. The bridge is beautifully made up of well-chosen phrases moving downwards from the high C, the highest note of this solo.

Skyline (blues)

Callender has identified this number, which he wrote as the band's theme.

The number is played behind the announcer at a fast medium tempo with one ensemble chorus, followed by a solo to Lester for two choruses and four bars before the broadcast is over.

During these 28 bars Lester builds up his solo from quiet, relaxed phrases executed in the middle register of the saxophone to more dynamic phrases played in the high register. Many details are lost, but the final phrase of his second chorus is especially noteworthy for its elegance."

� 1990 by Frank B�chmann-M�ller, and as renewed.


Enjoy!

Bryan the ol' BluesFan 2012.12.27