Freddie Freeloader (w/Friends)

Jon Hendricks, like King Pleasure, puts extremely well written intelligent lyrics to jazz-musician's versions of jazz standards, but he does it for vocal ensemble as well as his solo performances. On Freddie Freeloader, the title track, a Miles Davis composition, Jon is joined by other vocalists with that instrumental tone, Al Jarreau, George Benson and Bobbie McFerrin. Actually, a really tasty recording of Freddie Freeloader by Jon Hendricks, Al Jarreau, George Benson, and Bobby McFerrin as the title track - does it matter what else is on the album? Much as I like Lambert, Hendricks and Ross recordings, I confess that I always preferred Jon in the lead, with the team doing back up, like on the old performances of Cloudburst and Gimme That Wine because his voice is the one that sounds instrumental. I feel the same about his new team. It's entertaining as heck - Jumpin at the Woodside, Sing, Sing, SIng- and they really swing - but the quality of the title track is so high its a bar the rest can't reach. Jon Hendricks, as a singer, lyricist, and arranger, is an unsung genius.

Eversince I heard Jon Hendricks' reinterpretation of Monk's "Trinkle-Trikle", taped by a friend from the radio airways some 15 years ago, I was predestined to buy this magnificent album.Hendricks is still in his prime here, flexible and imaginative (with age only adding slightly rougher edge to his already highly expressive voice), leading virtuoso vocal groups (featuring Judith and Aria Hendricks), with some magnificent vocal guests - Al Jareau, Bobby McFerrin and George Benson at their best (The Manhattan Transfer's performance is not as much to my taste; luckily their take on Gil Evans orchestration is the shortest number of this classic album...)The remarkable instrumental guests on various numbers are also quite impresive, for instance (at the time quite young) trumpet player Wynton Marsalis, but also (anything but young, but still remarkable) trombon player Al Grey, the entire Count Basie's ghost orchestra lead by the great Frank Foster (who also solos on tenor), pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist George Mraz, drummer Jimmy Cobb, tenorist Stanley Turrentine...The concept of the album is, basically, rearranging the highlights from the history of jazz into vocal and vocal-instrumental extravaganzas, including takes on classical recordings of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis (his work with Coltrane and Adderley as well as with Gil Evans), with some fine originals and less familiar tunes basically based on one or another aspect of jazz tradition.So, whether it is Hendricks exploding on Coltrane's solo from the album's title cut and on Lester Young's solo from the album's inital number, or the remarkable versions on Monk's masterpieces, the comments of the classical swing big bands or of Satchmo's classics from the 30's, this album is exquisit ( with the possible exception of a number or two).I'd say "Freddeie Freeloader" is perfect or at least nearly perfect album, which goes both for the vocalese and the occasional free and highdriving scatting by Hendricks, Jareau and company.If you don't understand the point of vocalese (why sing instrumental solos?) just listen to these tracks: human voice is one of the noblest instrument under the sun, and the voices on this album (particularly Hendricks' voice) are among the finest and most flexible voices ever recorded in jazz, comparable to the classical voices of Armstrong, Rushing, Bessie, Billie, Sarah or Jack Teagarden...When they interpret ellements from jazz history wiht their wild arrangements, be-bop slant and witty lyrics on the verge of incomprehensibility, something new; both beautiful and original is created.

This album is a must for any serious jazz listener. Jon Hendricks doesn't get the credit or a lot of hype out in the mainstream, but he is a legend. “In Summer” would make Sinatra sit down, order a Jack Daniels, light a cigarette, then stare off into the distance, the way only Sinatra can. "Take the 'A' Train" is a festival of acapella and jazz featuring the Manhattan Transfer doing what they do best. "Trinkle Tinkle" and "Listen to Monk" are virtuoso performances that highlight just who Jon Hendricks is and what he does. And then there’s Freddie Freeloader! Are you kidding me? If someone asks what is jazz vocals? What is the point of jazz vocals? All you have to do is play them the original off of Miles’s “Kind of Blue” and then play them this cut! End of story! Enjoy!

Excellent selection of songs and quality of sound! This is one to give to your friends and family! Jon Hendricks' voice and that of his friends will provide you with timeless pleasure and deep thoughts about the joy of life and its many lessons. Thank you Mr. Hendricks, you are a Master!

Hendricks is top notch.

What else can you say, aside from marvelous, infectious and just plain DAMN GOOD!!But then, what else would you expect from an American treasure; not to mention a livinglegend; being backed by some of the most gifted artists in the business! As the drivingforce behind the seminal trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, one wonders why John hasn'tproduced MORE of these kinds on projects, ON HIS OWN!! Terrance L. Hodges

My original copy was lost somewhere so this purchase was a replacement. I have missed it very much. The arrangement of "In Summer" is stunningly beautiful and the collaborations with other unparalleled musicians makes this CD an absolute "must have". This is a great CD.

Item delivered on time, was as described

Sorry, heard him scatting on another artists disc and he was great. But, just do not like his singing style. Will be giving this one away, but who too?

歌声はさすがにサッチモを師匠と仰ぐだけあって年輪のある顔ピッタリの渋さ。そしてかなりの芸達者ぶりです。その上手さを披露してしまいがちな楽曲の中にあって、彼の自身のペンによる、２曲目「In Summer」は出色の出来。この曲を聴くためだけでも買いでしょう。