Seasons by Pete Jolly (A&M Records Cat # SP – 3033)
I am going to start out by telling you I am not a jazz fan. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, it’s just not what I turn on most of the time.
I first got into jazz back in the 70’s with a saxophone player named John Klemmer and his album Arabesque. I am sure I have some jazz fans rolling there eyes right now, but I liked it and it took me on to George Benson, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Dianna Krall.
This album is both rare and unique. First of all the album in Dorene’s store is a promo which is unique in itself.
This is a great recording and worthy of any collection, it could become your favorite Sunday Morning second cup of coffee listen to.
Second, the history is equally remarkable. Pete Jolly is a keyboard impresario and plays the Wurlitzer electric piano, the accordion, the Sano Vox, and the Hammond organ on this recording. He is backed by an eclectic and amazing group of studio musicians who all have equally impressive resumes.
Add to that the fact that the entire album was recorded in – ready for it – four hours.
That’s right, these guys got together and in four hours, PRESTO! A recording was born. According to Jolly it only took them an additional four hours to overdub, cut, and the final version was done. Now compare that to CSN and Y’s 800 hours (reportedly) to cut Deja vu. How’d they do it?
Well first of all, nobody’s first rodeo here. They got together and jammed like jazz musicians do till they got a sound they liked. There is only one standard on this album: Younger than Springtime. The rest is running improvisation by six great musicians.
Jolly is, of course, on the keyboards and does a superb job with everything he touches. I particularly like the song Pete Jolly (no, that’s not a misprint). Here, he starts out on accordion and then takes you on a quick trip through his repertoire of instruments.
All songs are brief as opposed to many jazz recordings I have listened to with some of the twelve cuts being less than two minutes. But there is a continuity in the sound that holds it all together and keeps it from sounding choppy or contrived.
My favorites were Autumn Festival and Bees; the latter which has heavy funk overtones.
Just a word about his supporting cast:
Bassist Chuck Berghofer collaborated with Sinatra and Streisand in Funny Lady. He is also known for his bass play in that campy Nancy Sinatra tune, “These Boots are Made for Walkin’”.
Drummer Paul Humphrey collaborated with Marvin Gay on “Let’s Get It On”.
Guitarist Joe Pisano has such recordings as “Unforgettable” with Natalie Cole and “Mink Jazz” with Peggy Lee.
Percussionist Milt Holland can be heard with Joni Mitchell and Seals and Croft, as well as Ringo Starr.
Vibraphonist Emil Richards recorded (and this blew me away) 9 times with Frank Zappa.
This is a great recording and worthy of any collection, it could become your favorite Sunday Morning second cup of coffee listen to.