The brief life span of classic jazz vocalese singing found its first inspiration in these King Pleasure sides. Pleasure vocalized many bebop solos by the likes of James Moody, Charlie Parker, and Lester Young, often adding his own hip and witty lyrics to the mix. Initially issued on his debut, Moody's Mood for Love, the first eight sides here include solid senders like "Parker's Mood," "Red Top" (based on a Gene Ammons solo and featuring singer Betty Carter), and "Jumpin' With Symphony Sid" (Lester Young). Balancing out the boppish fare, Pleasure also delivers ballads like "This Is Always" (featuring the Dave Lambert Singers) and his own composition, "Don't Be Scared" (up-and-coming vocalese star Jon Hendriks guests). Future Hendriks cohort Annie Ross co-headlines this LP, matching Pleasure's best with hits like "Twisted" (Wardell Gray) and "Farmer's Market" (Art Farmer). Her wordless scat feature, "Annie's Lament," is a highlight as well. A must for bop and vocal jazz fans. by Stephen Cook
Tracklist:
King Pleasure Sings
1 –King Pleasure Red Top 3:12
Bass – Peck Morrison
Drums – Herbie Lovelle
Piano – Ed Swanston
Tenor Saxophone – Charlie Ferguson
Trumpet – Eddie Lewis
Vocals – Betty Carter
2 –King Pleasure Jumpin' With Symphony Sid 2:34
Bass – Peck Morrison
Drums – Herbie Lovelle
Piano – Ed Swanston
Tenor Saxophone – Charlie Ferguson
Trumpet – Eddie Lewis
3 –King Pleasure Sometimes I'm Happy 2:55
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – John Lewis
Vocals – Dave Lambert Singers
4 –King Pleasure This Is Always 3:12
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – John Lewis
Vocals – Dave Lambert Singers
5 –King Pleasure What Can I Say (After I Say I'm Sorry) 3:09
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – John Lewis
6 –King Pleasure Don't Get Scared 3:18
Baritone Saxophone – Danny Bank
Bass – Paul Chambers
Drums – Joe Harris
Piano – Jimmy Jones
Tenor Saxophone – Lucky Thompson
Trombone – J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding
Vocals – Eddie Jefferson, Jon Hendricks
7 –King Pleasure Parker's Mood 2:55
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – John Lewis
8 –King Pleasure I'm Gone 3:27
Baritone Saxophone – Danny Bank
Bass – Paul Chambers
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – Jimmy Jones
Tenor Saxophone – Lucky Thompson
Trombone – J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding
Vocals – Eddie Jefferson, The Three Riffs
Annie Ross Sings
9 –Annie Ross Twisted 2:37
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Art Blakey
Organ – Ram Ramirez
Piano – Teacho Wiltshire
10 –Annie Ross Farmer's Market 2:43
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Art Blakey
Organ – Ram Ramirez
Piano – Teacho Wiltshire
11 –Annie Ross The Time Was Right 3:16
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Art Blakey
Organ – Ram Ramirez
Piano – George Wallington
12 –Annie Ross Annie's Lament 2:58
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Art Blakey
Organ – Ram Ramirez
Piano – George Wallington
Créditos
Arranged By [Arranged And Directed] – Quincy Jones (tracks: 6, 8, 11, 12)
Vocals – Annie Ross (tracks: 13 to 16), King Pleasure (tracks: 1 to 12)
