For the second of his three Mainstream sessions , the bebop altoist Charles McPherson pays tribute to Billie Holiday; in fact, "Siku Ya Bibi" means "Day of the Lady" in Swahili. The emphasis is mostly on ballads, with "Miss Brown to You" and "Lover Come Back to Me" being exceptions.
Four of the eight selections find McPherson backed by ten strings arranged by Ernie Wilkins, while the remainder of the date has the altoist joined by a rhythm section that includes pianist Barry Harris.
Although not quite up to the level of his upcoming, more freewheeling Xanadu sessions, this is a fine outing. Highlights include the two aforementioned cooking pieces, "Lover Man," "Good Morning Heartache," and "I'm a Fool to Want You." (by Scott Yanow)
Four of the eight selections find McPherson backed by ten strings arranged by Ernie Wilkins, while the remainder of the date has the altoist joined by a rhythm section that includes pianist Barry Harris.
Although not quite up to the level of his upcoming, more freewheeling Xanadu sessions, this is a fine outing. Highlights include the two aforementioned cooking pieces, "Lover Man," "Good Morning Heartache," and "I'm a Fool to Want You." (by Scott Yanow)
Earl Dunbar (guitar)
Barry Harris (piano)
Sam Jones (bass)
Charles McPherson (saxophone)
Leroy Williams (drums)
01. Don't Explain (Holiday/Herzog, Jr.) 4.25
02. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be) (Davis/Ramirez/Sherman) 4.57
03. God Bless the Child (Holiday/Herzog, Jr.) 4.27
04. Miss Brown To You (Rainger/Robin/Whiting) 4.42
05. Good Morning Heartache (Drake/Fisher/Higginbotham) 4.16
06. For Heaven's Sake (Bretton/Edwards/Meyer) 5.01
07. I'm A Fool To Want You (Herron/Sinatra/Wolf) 4.43
08. Lover Come Back to Me (Hammerstein II/Romberg) 6.57
ARMU 2088 (zippyshare)