2 LPs ON 1 CD

This CD puts together two fascinating LPs recorded around the same time by Art Pepper with very similar personnel, Free Wheeling and The Way it Was! On the first, the primary idea was to produce a type of modern or updated version of the stylistic approach developed by Lester Young. Incidentally, the highlight of the session is when the three saxophonists (Art Pepper, Ted Brown and Warne Marsh) interpret, note for note, the solo that Lester recorded 16 years earlier on the song “Broadway”, accompanied by the Count Basie Orchestra. On the second album, Art Pepper leads a quintet without Ted Brown and with another drummer, playing a repertory of great standards: “I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love with Me”, “All the Things You Are”, “What’s New?”, “Avalon”, “Stompin’ at the Savoy” and Lester’s original composition “Tickle Toe”.

PERSONNEL:

ART PEPPER, alto sax (out on 3 & 6-7)
TED BROWN, tenor sax (out on 10-16)
WARNE MARSH, tenor sax
RONNIE BALL, piano
BEN TUCKER, bass
JEFF MORTON, drums (on 1-9)
GARY FROMMER, drums (on 10-16)

(1-9): Free Wheeling (Vanguard VRS8515). Hollywood, California, December 21, 1956.

(10-16): The Way It Was! (Contemporary S7630). Los Angeles, California, November 26, 1956.

TRACKS:

01. Àretha
02. Long Gone
03. Once We Were Young
04. Foolin' Myself
05. Avalon
06. On A Slow Boat to China
07. Crazy, She Calls Me
08. Broasway
09. Arrival
10. I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me
11. All the Things You Are
12. What´s New ?
13. Tickle Toe
14. Avalos
15. Warnin'
16. Stompin' at the Savoy