Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall & Zoot Sims: Two Jims and Zoot (1964 – Mobile Fidelity)

After the first of two stints with Stan Getz in 1951-52, clean, crisp swing/bop guitarist Jimmy Raney recorded his first handful of albums as a leader in the mid 1950s – including Five (1954) and Indian Summer (1956). By the mid 1960s, Raney’s bout with alcoholism forced him into a decade-long hiatus during which time he relocated back to his childhood home of Louisville, Kentucky. A real shame this was, since this piano-less quintet date featuring Jim Hall, recorded shortly before that hiatus, far exceeds the quality of his earlier leader dates and reveals a career highlight.
A gentle Steve Swallow and a stationary Osie Johnson leave Raney and Hall in the spotlight throughout “Move It,” an up-tempo swinger near the end of the record. Hall is surprisingly active – one might even say aggressive – during sections of Raney’s improvisation here. But because there’s a stable rhythm section and no piano, it’s the open interaction between the complete-line comping from Hall and the western-swing infused bop runs from Raney that makes this track more than a worthwhile listen.
Eric Novod (www.jazz.com Review)

Track List:

1.Hold Me 2:55

2.A Primera Vez 4:19

3.Presente de Natal 3:06

4.Morning of the Carnival 4:34

5.Este Seu Olhar 4:35

6.Betaminus 3:18

7.Move It 4:25

8.All Across the City 4:48

9.Coisa Mais Linda 4:20

10.How About You?

Personnel:

Jimmy Raney (Guitar)

Jim Hall (Guitar)

Zoot Sims (Tenor Sax Tenor)

Steve Swallow (Bass) 

Osie Johnson (Drums)

Original Release Date: September 1964  –  Label: Mobile Fidelity

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