This release presents the great Lester Young’s complete sessions for the small Aladdin label, which were made right after the saxophonist’s release from prision and dishonourable discharge from the U.S.Army. Although legend has it he was never the same after his experiences in the military, Young’s playing throughout these recordings exceeds even his own high standards.

PERSONNEL:

LESTER YOUNG, tenor sax on all tracks, featuring:

Willie Smith (as), Howard McGhee (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb),
Nat King Cole, Joe Albany, Dodo Marmarosa (p), Chuck Wayne, Dave Barbour (g),
Red Callender (b), Chico Hamilton, Roy Haynes, Tiny Kahn (d),
among others.

Recorded in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, 1942-1947.

CD 2, 17-24: BONUS TRACKS

LESTER YOUNG TRIO:
Lester Young (ts),
Nat King Cole (p),
Buddy Rich (d).
Los Angeles, March-April, 1946.

INCLUDES 12-PAGE BOOKLET

TRACKS:

CD 1: (78:27 min)
01 INDIANA 4:53
02 I CAN’T GET STARTED 4:55
03 TEA FOR TWO 4:48
04 BODY AND SOUL 5:10
05 D. B. BLUES 3:00
06 LESTER BLOWS AGAIN 2:32
07 THESE FOOLISH THINGS 3:10
08 JUMPIN’ AT MESNER’S 2:45
09 IT’S ONLY A PAPER MOON 3:05
10 AFTER YOU’VE GONE 2:42
11 LOVER COME BACK TO ME 2:37
12 JAMMIN’ WITH LESTER 3:03
13 YOU’RE DRIVING ME CRAZY 3:06
14 NEW LESTER LEAPS IN 2:57
15 LESTER’S BE BOP BOOGIE 3:13
16 SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY 3:20
17 SUNDAY 2:24
18 S. M. BLUES 3:01
19 JUMPIN’ WITH SYMPHONY SID 3:11
20 NO EYES BLUES 3:00
21 SAX-O-BE-BOP 2:53
22 ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET 2:58
23 ONE O’CLOCK JUMP 2:57
24 JUMPIN’ AT THE WOODSIDE 3:00

CD 2: (79:21)
01 MOVIN’ WITH LESTER 3:09
02 EASY DOES IT 2:33
03 EASY DOES IT (alternate take) 2:28
04 I’M CONFESSIN’ 2:31
05 LESTER SMOOTHS IT OUT 2:54
06 JUST COOLING 2:59
07 TEA FOR TWO 3:08
08 EAST OF THE SUN 3:09
09 THE SHEIK OF ARABY 2:31
10 SOMETHING TO REMEMBER YOU BY 2:44
11 UNTITLED INSTRUMENTAL 3:13
12 PLEASE LET ME FORGET 3:09
13 HE DON’T LOVE ME ANYMORE 2:51
14 PLEASING MAN BLUES 3:06
15 SEE SEE RIDER 2:49
16 IT’S BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE 2:55
17 BACK TO THE LAND 3:55
18 I COVER THE WATERFRONT 4:04
19 SOMEBODY LOVES ME 3:54
20 I’VE FOUND A NEW BABY 4:05
21 THE MAN I LOVE 4:51
22 PEG O’MY HEART 4:05
23 I WANT TO BE HAPPY 3:58
24 MEAN TO ME 4:08