Berkshire Blues

Berkshire Blues
Studio album by
Randy Weston
Released1977
RecordedAugust 18 and October 14, 1965,
New York City
GenreJazz
Length37:28
LabelFreedom
FLP 41026
ProducerAlan Bates, Duke Ellington, Ruth Ellington, Michael Cuscuna
Randy Weston chronology
Randy
(1964) 		Berkshire Blues
(1977) 		Blues
(1965)

Berkshire Blues is an album by American jazz pianist Randy Weston, recorded in 1965 and released on the Freedom label in 1977.[1]

The title track, in the waltz tempo characteristic of many Weston compositions, was written in 1962 and recorded in 1964 by the Randy Weston Sextet (on the album Randy), with Betty Carter later putting lyrics to the tune and performing it under the tile "Ego").[2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide[4]

AllMusic awarded the album 3 stars, with its review by Scott Yanow stating: "Throughout the set, Weston's solos hold on to one's interest, although the overall results are really not all that essential."[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Randy Weston except as indicated

  1. "Three Blind Mice" (Traditional) - 5:33
  2. "Perdido" (Juan Tizol) - 6:24
  3. "Purple Gazelle" (Duke Ellington) - 5:53
  4. "Berkshire Blues" - 4:14
  5. "Lagos" - 5:36
  6. "Sweet Meat" - 3:39
  7. "Ifran" - 5:37
  • Recorded on 18 August 1965 (tracks 4–7) and 14 October, 1965 (tracks 1–3) in New York City

Personnel

References

  1. ^ Randy Weston catalog accessed August 15, 2012.
  2. ^ Berkshire Blues liner notes by Bob Blumenthal, Discography, Randy Weston African Rhythms.
  3. ^ a b Yanow, Scott, AllMusic Review, accessed August 16, 2012.
  4. ^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. pp. 206. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.