Easy Walker

As its title, ‘Easy Walker,’ signifies, this album achieves both an ease and spontaneity and a warm and witty outlook in its interpretations. But, there is also present the surging drive and the resilient strength that bear the stamp of Sy Oliver. And, as usual, the high calibre of inventiveness in his arrangements allows the musical ideas to flow with startling rapidity, as the band literally radiates rhythmic and harmonic daring and imagination. The individual roles are designed to contribute to the orchestra’s over-all effectiveness, adding a unity and polish to the ensemble. With Sy at the reins, the all-star band swings out lustily or dispenses a reflective mood, but always with relaxed assurance and stimulating musicianship. Easy Walker ’is a cordial opener featuring a shuffle-like beat and Dave Martin’s meandering piano. George Barnes’ guitar carries the main theme in I’ve Been Working On The Railroad, a virile updating of the folk classic, in which Dave McCrea’s sax sings out roundly and Jimmy Crawford sets the pace on drums. Lazy is another easy-going take, this time reflecting blues overtones, and highlighting a Jimmy Nottingham trumpet solo that speaks of heartbreak. Two favorites follow. Old Time Religion is a clap-hands, all-swing-out entry that has brasses blazing amid a jabbing tenor attack by Budd Johnson. The tempo slows down a bit in I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen, as Frank Saracco’s trombone leads the group in a sweet-swing rendition. Mixed Doubles, the closer, is an up-tempo free-for-all led by guitar and some sparkling interaction by rhythm and brass. The flip side opens Back Home, a pipe-and-slippers outing that recalls fond memories, aided by reminiscent brass and reeds. Also reminiscent, this time of the big band swing era of the ‘40s, is I like You, sparked by a sizzling Phil Bodner clarinet turn. Last Night In Town reveals mixed emotions – a glad-to-be-going-at-last attitude, coupled with a sorry-to-be-leaving feeling. Budd Johnson is the sax soloist here, and Seldon Powell takes the solo chair, next, to ride through the looping and churning lines of Five Flats Furnished. Then, You Tell Me Your Dream is a tasteful and lucid revelation, stimulated by guitar accents and muted trumpet, and the side ends with the free-wheeling bash, I’m the Guy That Loves Ya. The Sy Oliver Orchestra: Dick Perry, Jimmy Nottingham, Joe Newman, trumpets; Frank Saracco, Marty Bullman, Rodney Levitt, trombones; Dave McCrea, George Dorsey, Seldon Powell, Phil Bodner, bud Johnson, reeds; George Barnes, guitar; Dave Martin, piano; Joe Benjamin, bass; Warren Smith, percussion; Jimmie Crawford, drums.