Art Pepper for beginners

[AntManBee]

For some reason, I've never listened to Art Pepper. He has sort of slipped through the net for years. I think I'd better correct this, but I don't know where to start. Suggestions for albums to set me off on a Pepper quest would be much appreciated! Thanks.

[moneyp]

Art Pepper and Ten
...Meets the Rhythm Section

[mjb]

Amen to "Meets ... " magnificent.

I love the Complete Live at the Village Vanguard set and I think the individual CDs are available.

[Nate Dorward]

Get all the Contemporaries from 1955-1960, then get Living Legend to kick off the comeback period. The classic is Meets the Rhythm Section though the one I find most remarkable is Intensity, the last one before his long hiatus.

[Pete C]

My favorite is Art Pepper Today. For me his playing post-comeback is more profound than the earlier stuff. This one has the quintessential version of his stunning ballad "Patricia," and the stellar rhythm section of Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee & Roy Haynes.

[bluenoter]

Originally Posted by Nate Dorward

The classic is Meets the Rhythm Section though the one I find most remarkable is Intensity, the last one before his long hiatus.

Hold on--AntManBee may not know that there was a hiatus. AntManBee, if you don't know anything about Art Pepper's life and career, I suggest that you read the biographical blurb at AMG online, here.

Are there any Kemp Mill Records stores where you live? [Edit: Obviously not in Sweden. Sorry!] If so, go to one and look for a random bunch of jazz cassettes. Among other potential treasures, you may find cassettes of Art Pepper albums on OJC/Galaxy, including some of the albums recommended in previous posts. I collected several for 75 cents apiece! It's worth looking for those (new) cassettes in used-and-new record stores, too.

I second the recs of Intensity, Meets the Rhythm Section, and Living Legend, and I'd add Today.

Edit: I see that Pete recommended Today above.

[Pete C]

What is a Kemp Mill store, what makes you think they have them in Sweden, and who listens to cassettes?

[bluenoter]

Originally Posted by Pete C

What is a Kemp Mill store, what makes you think they have them in Sweden, and who listens to cassettes?

A Kemp Mill Records or Kemp Mill Music store is a cheesy chain store. I checked to make sure that they weren't local to Baltimore/Washington, and I found a mention of one in Atlanta. Alas, I missed the "Sweden" part of AntManBee's info. I edited my previous post and apologized.

I listen to cassettes when I find excellent music (with perfectly acceptable sound) on cassette for as low as 75 freakin' cents. The tip remains for anyone else who might deign to listen to cassettes on occasion.

[Dan G]

Going Home, a duo with George Cables

Art Pepper plus Eleven is great (is this the one you meant Mone, or is there also a 10?)

and another vote for Meets the Rythm Section, and the Village Vanguard material from 1977

[AntManBee]

Originally Posted by bluenoter

Hold on--AntManBee may not know that there was a hiatus. AntManBee, if you don't know anything about Art Pepper's life and career, I suggest that you read the biographical blurb at AMG online

I knew a little about Art Pepper's life, and I was aware of the hiatus. I did a little check on AMG, and that's partly what prompted my question here. So many of his albums get high rates that it actually confused me more than enlighted me. I needed to single out a few discs to start with. You guys have been helpful for sure!

Are there any Kemp Mill Records stores where you live? [Edit: Obviously not in Sweden. Sorry!]

As you discovered, there aren't. Cassettes are a dead market here, both new ones and second hand. There are a couple of domestic online shops that sell CD's a little cheaper than the regular shops, but they're not dead cheap.

"Meets the Rhythm Section" seems to be a good first choice, and I also want to pick up some recommended album from his comeback era.

Thanks for your help!

[LeMo]

From his comeback era, the most important one, IMO, are:

- "The Living Legend"
- The "Live At The Village Vanguard" batch
- "Art Pepper Today"
- "Straight Life"
- "Art Lives" (another live with George Cables who is on the same level than the "Vanguard" to my taste).

And, if you like your music with strings (I don't):

- "Winter Moon"

From the Fifties:

All "Contemporary" recommandations are good.

I also, like Nate Dorward, like "Intensity" better than anything else.

You must get also:

- "Smack Up" (in quintet)
- "The Way It Was" (one side with Warne Marsh - even if I have never been totally convincing by their meeting, but some are - one side of alternates from others sessions mentions here.

Out of the "Contemporary", you must get the following who was on different labels in vinyl time but are currently on "Blue Note" (if still available):

- "The Return of Art Pepper" (56-57) (originally on "Jazz West")
- "Modern Art" (57) (originally on "Intro")
- "Collections" (57) (on "Intro")

And, if you do not make an overdose of Pepper by that time, there's one that I like much (maybe my favorite) from the seventies who is :

- "Among Friends"

I don't know if this one has ever find his way to CD.
Originally it was an LP from "Flyrigth Record" in England.

It's a studio session from 1978 with Russ Freeman on piano, Bob Magnusson on bass and the *GREAT* Frank Butler on drums.

[AntManBee]

Originally Posted by LeMo

And, if you like your music with strings

Are there many Pepper albums with strings? I'm quite mad about well-crafted string arrangements, but that said, I've always found jazz and strings to be uncomfortable bed fellows. Risking to sound prejudiced, I'd rather avoid his strings albums, at least to begin with.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by LeMo

And, if you are not making an overdose of Pepper by that time, there's one that I like much (maybe my favorite) from the seventies who is :

- "Among Friends"

I don't know if this one has ever find his way to CD.
Originally it was an LP from "Flyrigth Record" in England.

It's a studio session from 1978 with Russ Freeman on piano, Bob Magnusson on bass and the *GREAT* Frank Butler on drums.

I have it on a Discovery CD. Excellent album. I assumed it was "originally" a Discovery LP, since that was an LA label. You're right about Butler, and Freeman is also *GREAT*, and Magnusson has a beautiful sound.

[Richardo Caerleoni]

BUY EVERYTHING !...but Esp. "Here's that Rainy Day" on "Living Legnd"....amazing HampHaws solo...his last recording.

When I die...not for a few years...going to my track.

[Root Doctor]

Originally Posted by AntManBee

Are there many Pepper albums with strings? I'm quite mad about well-crafted string arrangements, but that said, I've always found jazz and strings to be uncomfortable bed fellows. Risking to sound prejudiced, I'd rather avoid his strings albums, at least to begin with.

"Winter Moon," on Galaxy, is one of the better jazz with strings recordings.

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

"Winter Moon," on Galaxy, is one of the better jazz with strings recordings.

And, to answer the other part of the question, it's the only Art with strings, AFAIK.

I would agree that the later sides have an incredible urgency. Something that must be said for the '50s Contemporary albums is that Roy DuNann engineered them, and they all sound as alive and real as anything from any period. There's a reason these records are hi-fi-geek test material. You should be able to find VERY nice OJC pressings for about $10 of most of these still, a most-recommended option if you have a working turntable.

[Root Doctor]

Originally Posted by Chris D

And, to answer the other part of the question, it's the only Art with strings, AFAIK.

You're right, Chris.

[LeMo]

Originally Posted by Pete C

I have it on a Discovery CD. Excellent album. I assumed it was "originally" a Discovery LP, since that was an LA label. You're right about Butler, and Freeman is also *GREAT*, and Magnusson has a beautiful sound.

Pete, I've looking more carefully to the cover
.
It's not an original production from "Flightright". It's publish under licence from "Interplay Records".

The producer was Toshikaya Taenaka and co-producer is the inevitable Laurie Pepper. Could it be from japanese origin?

And, yes, Russ Freeman is in top form on that one.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by LeMo

Could it be from japanese origin?

I suspect so. The CD has the same production info and lists Albert J. Marx (of Discovery) as re-issue producer.

[Jon Abbey]

his fifties stuff is great, but I think if I had to choose in the end (which I don't, od course), I'd pick the urgency of his seventies recordings. he seems to play each of those sessions as if it might be his last night on earth, beautiful, beautiful music. I have most of the Complete Galaxy Recordings box, 8 of the 12 CDs (someone was selling them separately a long time ago), and it's some of my favorite jazz ever.

and since no one else has recommended it yet, read his book, Straight Life. one of the best couple of jazz books I've ever read...

[clinthopson]

I first saw Art Pepper with the Stan Kenton band, way, way back.

His playing knocked me out since he disn't come across as another Bird copycat as most of the alto players seemed to be in those days. In addition to the discs mentioned above, all of which are very good, I like the set he did with Zoot on Pablo.

[Richardo Caerleoni]

For God's Sake...OK I get Emooooooootinal! Art Pepper...


C/out "Blues for the Fisherman" ?

A Live recording from Ronnie Scott's...with Laurie shouting in the background ? .. On Mole Jazz...not sure if it's still around...But A total joy. I was there. OK, forget me, just buy the album!

[Darryl G. Thomas]

This thread reminds me that I haven't listened to Pepper in years. He was one of my favorites in the late '70s. Part of the reason was he was one of the few jazz LPs you could find in the PX system on the Army base I was stationed on in Germany.

I highly recommend the Village Vanguard box someone mentioned already. I spent a long time listeing to it, hearing Pepper get stronger as the engagement went on. Wonderful music.

[Richardo Caerleoni]

No one has mentioned the Hoggy CarM set on World P. ?


The definitive version of "Winter Moon"...and Art was asked to sit in a "Booth" so HC wouldn't have to see him...HC wanted to "Whistle" ! No Alto breaks....too "modern"...It was J. Mandel that insisted he was on the session.

BUY EVERYTHING ! Also, ck/out the film "Notes of a Jazz SVR...." one of the few good jazz docs. What can I say, the guy was a "imperfect" but brilliant...and the VV sides are great....because Elvin didn't crowd him... but fitted around him... part of Elvin's genious that's often forgotten]

[AntManBee]

Originally Posted by Richardo Caerleoni

the guy was a "imperfect" but brilliant...

Imperfection (with or without quote marks) and brilliance have never been a contradiction in my book anyway.

[Canuck Don]

AntManBee--
I like Art Pepper. I don't have too much of him though,but what I have I like.
Here is a short list of my Fav.I din't read all the posts but I'm sure these have been mentioned already. If anything you have to get the ones with Chet Baker.

ART PEPPER

#50 STRAIGHT LIFE.
#280 ART PEPPER MEETS THE RHYTHM SECTION.
#281 INTENSITY.
NO LIMIT.
#541 THE DISCOVERY SESSIONS.
#530 ART PEPPER & CHET BAKER=PICTURE OF HEALTH. *
#543 ART PEPPER & CHET BAKER=THE ROUTE. *
#643 THE HOLLYWOOD SESSIONS. DISC 2 & 3.
#752 ART PEPPER WITH STAN KENTON & SHORTY ROGERS.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Canuck Don

#530 ART PEPPER & CHET BAKER=PICTURE OF HEALTH. *

Don, that should be "Picture of Heath."

[AntManBee]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Don, that should be "Picture of Heath."

Makes sense - "Picture of HeaLth" just doesn't seem like a very appropriate title for an album by folks like Pepper and Baker!

[Canuck Don]

Thanks guys for the spelling correction.I didn't check my post for spelling errors I just copied from my jazz files and pasted it in here.Fingers on home keys I must have pressed L without realizing it when I put it in my files some years ago.Too much coffee.

[LeMo]

Originally Posted by Jon Abbey

and since no one else has recommended it yet, read his book, Straight Life. one of the best couple of jazz books I've ever read...

Well, Jon, you seem to be human after all.
In the couple above who is the partner of "Straight Life"?