BILL JENNINGS/JACK McDUFF
Glide On (Prestige)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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I can appreciate the reason the folks in the Prestige marketing department gave equal billing to Jack McDuff on the cover of this disc, because he has gone on to far wider recognition than guitarist Bill Jennings ever achieved. Have no doubt, though, that the albums that make up this Legends Of Acid Jazz two-fer are Bill Jennings albums. Enough Said!, recorded in 1960, and Glide On, from 1959, were recorded and released as Jennings projects, and his guitar work is certainly the focal point of both albums.

Enough Said! makes up the first eight tracks here with a rhythm section consisting of McDuff, drummer Alvin Johnson and bassist Wendell Marshall. It's a straight ahead soul jazz set, with standards, blues and originals from Jennings, McDuff and Johnson. For the remainder of the disc, the group is joined by Jennings' brother Al on guitar and vibes. McDuff turns from his B-3 to the piano for "Billin' And Bluin'."

Jennings deserves to be heard by a wider audience, and with McDuff's name up front these long overlooked performances may get that deserved attention. There's nothing startling here, but it's a disc sure to please soul jazz aficionados everywhere.

Track List:

Enough Said * Tough Gain * Volare * Dark Eyes * It Could Happen To You * Blue Jams * Dig Uncle Will * Glide On * Alexandria, Virginia * Billin' And Bluin' * There Will Never Be Another You * Azure- Te (Paris Blues) * Fiddlin' * Cole Slaw * Hey Mrs. Jones

© 2000 - Shaun Dale