Description:
From 1955 through 1960, Down Beat, Metronome, and Playboy might as well have renamed three categories in their jazz polls for the guitarist, bassist, and drummer who perennially won them: Barney Kessel, Ray Brown, and Shelly Manne. Most of those years, when the results were announced, the three rhythm giants hied themselves to the Contemporary studios to further document what all that enthusiastic voting was about. The first such record The Poll Winners, OJCCD 156 2 was a big seller for the label. So was this one. A reason for its success may have been the inclusion of a charming version of "Volare," a hit song of the day. But bigger reasons were the joy, swing, and beauty of the music whenever Manne, Brown, and Kessel collaborated.
|