Stanley Turrentine Ballads CD

Although he's a monster tenor soloist on funky, exuberant, bluesy soul-jazz, Stanley Turrentine is even more awesome on ballads. His rich, steamy sound, full tone, and ability to pace and develop moods is ideal for show tunes and sentimental love songs. This nine-track set begins with Turrentine nicely caressing the melody and turning in a standout treatment on "Willow Weep For Me," continuing through tearjerkers ("Since I Fell For You") and blues anthems ("God Bless The Child"), and closing with Thad Jones' beautiful "A Child Is Born." Turrentine is matched with numerous premier players, and pianist McCoy Tyner, guitarist Jimmy Smith, and even Turrentine's brother Tommy (trumpet) gently support and complement the main soloist. One of the best Blue Note special discs, featuring moving, frequently hypnotic playing from a true tenor great. ~ Ron Wynn

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey between June 18, 1960 and June 23, 1969; Sigma Sound, New York, New York on December 7, 1984.

Compilation producer: Michael Cuscuna.

Personnel: Stanley Turrentine (tenor saxophone); Tommy Turrentine (trumpet); Gene Harris, Horace Parlan, McCoy Tyner, Tommy Flanagan (piano); Shirley Scott, Jimmy Smith (organ); Grant Green, George Benson (guitar); Andrew Simpkins, George Tucker, Bob Cranshaw, Paul Chambers, Major Holley, Gene Taylor, Ron Carter (bass); Bill Dowdy, Al Harewood, Mickey Roker, Art Taylor, Clarence Johnston, Billy Cobham, Jimmy Madison (drums).

Producers: Alfred Lion, Duke Pearson, Stanley Turrentine.