Well, the first post of the new year is kindly brought to you from visitor MaryAnn. MaryAnn has sent over one of her personal favorites that she has worked very hard on tracking down. It’s Vido Musso’s Teen Age Dance Party — a rockin’ record featuring Vido on Tenor sax. If you remember my earlier “Teen Age Dance Party” post from George Russell, then by comparision this one seems aimed at much hipper, maybe even edgier, teenagers. No “Hokey Pokey” to be found here.
MaryAnn also took the time to type up the back cover notes:
“For more than 20 years, the booming voice of Vido Musso’s tenor sax has stirred the souls of jazz listeners. The rich and robust sound of Vido’s horn has become one of jazzdom’s most recognized, most influential and most imitated styles. But there is a happy irony in the fact that none of Vido’s legion of imitators will ever succeed in a million or more 12-bar choruses to duplicate Vido’s classic solos on Benny Goodman’s famous recording of “SING, SING, SING” or Stan Kenton’s ever-popular “COME BACK TO SORRENTO.”
Because of Vido’s distinction…his now famous big-beat tenor and powerful vibrato sound…he needs no lengthy introduction. His music and solid reputation speak for themselves. Today, Vido is a mature and seasoned musician who has mastered his craft well. The great drive and energy he once gave to Goodman and Kenton bans he has transferred to the recordings of his own combos. The vigor and fullness of his tone is now better heard within the framework of a small group, and in this new collection of Vido sides, the piquant and potency of his forceful blowing is highlighted to even greater advantage by an organ accompaniment.
It is fitting that the organ, the behemoth of musical instruments should complement Vido’s tenor sax. All the characteristics of Vido’s style…the bigness, the wailing, the depth of sound, the heavy beat, evn the feeling of religiosity…are a natural part of the organ sound. It provides an ideal background showcase for Vido’s versatility. There’s a little of every facet of his style. There’s his famous “SORRENTO,” the swinging “INTERMISSION RIFF” made popular by Kenton, some blues and some moving up-tempo numbers. All of them firmly establish the sparkle and the brilliance of Vido Musso’s musicianship…all of them reaffirm Vido as a primary exponent of the BIG BEAT.”
Thanks MaryAnn! If any other folks would like to submit a record for consideration, please take a look at my “Hosting Offer” post.
Have a listen to “Oh Yes”:
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VidoMusso.zip (36MB)
Track Listing:
Honky Tonk
Speak Easy
Blues for Two
Oh Yes
Oh Marie
Sorrento
Intermission Riff
You Feel It
Rockin’ Time
Sweet Sue
