Stanley Turrentine - Rough 'N' Tumble (1966)

Turrentine and a star-studded band groove through some soul/pop/jazz tunes (mostly covers) with top-notch arrangements; however, I ultimately agree with what is written in The Penguin Guide to Jazz: "Very enjoyable, if scarcely any kind of classic." But sometimes "enjoyable" is just what I'm after.

Original liner notes by Ira Gitler.

Turrentine - tenor saxophone
Blue Mitchell - trumpet
James Spaulding - alto saxophone
Pepper Adams - baritone saxophone
Grant Green - guitar
McCoy Tyner - piano
Bob Cranshaw - bass
Mickey Roker - drums
Duke Pearson - arrangements

Reviews/ratings:

• Record World: "beautiful sound on six groovy, commercially appealing tracks"
• CashBox: "A powerhouse package"
• DownBeat (★★): "not recommended for serious listening"
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #149
• Billboard R&B: #20
• Billboard Jazz: #12
• Record World Jazz: #1

Tracks:

1. And Satisfy - originally recorded by Nancy Wilson in 1964. Wilson's single release in 1964 "bubbled under" Billboard's Hot 100 at #106.
2. What Could I Do Without You - written and recorded by Ray Charles in 1956. His single peaked at #5 on Billboard's R&B chart.
3. Feeling Good - written by for the 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd. While the musical wasn't a big hit, this song has become a standard.
4. Shake - written by Sam Cooke and recorded by him at the last recording session before his death. Posthumously, the song reached #7 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the R&B chart.
5. Walk On By - most famously recorded by Dionne Warwick (#6 pop, #1 R&B, #7 AC). I was previously familiar with this cut from its inclusion on the stellar Blue Note compilation, Blue Bacharach.
6. Baptismal - the premiere recording of this piece, written in the 1950s by trumpeter John Hines.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
T Time (1995)
Ballads (1993)
The Best of Stanley Turrentine (1990)

Stanley Turrentine - Ballads (1993)

The title is self-explanatory: here we're treated to a compilation of slow standards performed by the prolific saxophonist, Stanley Turrentine, on the Blue Note label. The lack of any liner notes indicates to me that this compilation was produced for the budget market. Highly enjoyable, nonetheless, especially for a quiet night at home with that special someone (slow dancing optional but recommended).

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks (9 tracks, 65 minutes):

1. Willow Weep For Me, from the 1961 album, Blue Hour (with The Three Sounds).
2. Since I Fell For You, from the 1961 album, Blue Hour.
3. Then I'll Be Tired Of You, from the 1987 album, Comin' Your Way (recorded 1961).
4. Someone To Watch Over Me, from the 1961 album, Comin' Your Way.
5. They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool, from the 1968 album, Easy Walker.
6. More Than You Know, from the 1985 album, ZT's Blues (recorded 1961).
7. God Bless The Child, from the 1963 album, Never Let Me Go.
8. Watch What Happens, from the 1980 album, Ain't No Way (recorded 1969).
9. A Child Is Born, from the 1985 album, Straight Ahead.

My personal top picks are Since I Fell For You (with a lovely piano solo from Gene Harris), Someone To Watch Over Me, the bluesy They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool, and More Than You Know (with a lovely guitar solo from Grant Green).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
T Time (1995)
The Best of Stanley Turrentine (1990)

Stanley Turrentine - T Time (1995)

I recently rescued this CD from the $1 clearance bin. It's an enjoyable effort from the veteran saxophonist in which he mostly re-records some tunes from earlier releases, including a take on his signature tune, Sugar, re-titled A Little Sweetness. My only complaint concerns the choice of using synth pads instead of bringing in a real string section, but that's a minor quibble.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

1. Don't Mess With Mr. T (original Turrentine version on the 1973 album, Don't Mess With Mr. T)
2. A Little Sweetness (1970 album, Sugar)
3. I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do (1971 album, Salt Song)
4. Impressions (1970 album, Sugar)
5. Terrible T. (1989 album, La Place)
6. The Island (cover of an Ivan Lins tune)
7. Touching (1989 album, La Place)
8. Side Steppin' (original composed by guitarist Dave Stryker)

The previous owner of this disc had indicated their favorite tracks by writing on the disc itself in red pen: "1, 2, 7, 8" and while I prefer track 5 to track 8, I'm pretty much in agreement with that opinion (except the writing on the disc. Don't do that, folks.). However, there's nothing to skip here - while the album concept/theme of re-recordings gets a bit redundant, the performances here are first-rate and everything swings.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
The Best of Stanley Turrentine (1990)

The Best of Stanley Turrentine (1990)

Saxophonist Stanley Turrentine (1934-2000) recorded for Creed Taylor's CTI label from 1970 - 1973. This "best of" disc covers tunes recorded with that period. Includes his signature tune, Sugar, and two previously unreleased tracks. Just check out the murderers' row of musicians on these recordings (below).

It's no coincidence that Columbia would list Benson and Burrell on the promo sticker because their solos are the ones that stop me in my tracks on each cut. Other standouts for me include Milt Jackson and the incomparable Richard Tee.

That badass Alen MacWeeney cover photo originally appeared on the cover of a 1974 CTI anthology titled The Baddest Stanley Turrentine.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: with 76 minutes of music, you certainly get your money's worth on this compilation (especially when you can find a used copy for a couple of bucks)

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. Turrentine appears on many compilation CDs in my collection, but, despite having many of his releases on vinyl, this is the first Turrentine CD I've ever owned.