Barney Kessel with Shelly Manne and Ray Brown: The Poll Winners

Barney Kessel with Shelly Manne and Ray Brown: The Poll Winners

performed by Sheldon Manne, 1920-1984, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004 and Ray Brown, 1926-2002 (Contemporary, 1988), 41 mins, 9 page(s)

This is a sample. For full access:

Please choose from the following options to gain full access to this content

Log in via your academic institution

Details

Field of Interest
Jazz
Content Type
Music recording
Duration
41 mins
Format
Audio
Sub Genre
West Coast Jazz, Guitar Jazz
Label
Contemporary
Page Count
9
Performer
Sheldon Manne, 1920-1984, Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Ray Brown, 1926-2002
Date Recorded
1957-03-19
Release Date
1988
Review
If the picture of three grown men hanging onto giant, colored swirl sticks looks a bit odd, or if the title The Poll Winners seems a bit conceited, the music, nonetheless -- recorded in 1957 -- still sounds great in 2002. Besides, guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Shelly Manne really did win polls in Down Beat, Playboy, and Metronome in 1956, and this is precisely what brought the players together. Here, on their first outing, they interpret nine pieces for 40 lovely minutes of modern jazz. After kicking off with a fine take on Duke Jordan's "Jordu," the group delivers an emotionally warm, six-minute version of "Satin Doll," one the album's highlights. While each player is always fully engaged in this small setting, Kessel's guitar supplies the lead voice. His expressive style has more in common with bluesy players like Kenny Burrell than cool ones like Tal Farlow. This quality leads to sensitive interpretations of melody-filled standards like "On Green Dolphin Street" and "It Could Happen to You." As is traditional in small settings, both Manne and Brown are also given a piece of the action, usually near the end of a tune. The choice of material, the interplay between the three players, and the lead work all meld together beautifully on The Poll Winners, making it a classic guitar album in a small-group setting. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
Subject
Jazz, Music & Performing Arts, West Coast Jazz, West Coast Jazz
Keywords and Translated Subjects
West Coast Jazz

View my Options

Listen Now

Create an account and get 24 hours access for free.

Spaces are not allowed; punctuation is not allowed except for periods, hyphens, apostrophes, and underscores.
Please enter a valid e-mail address. All e-mails from the system will be sent to this address. The e-mail address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password or wish to receive certain news or notifications by e-mail.
This email will be your username
This is the name displayed to others on any playlists or clips you share
×