Robbins' Nest: Live at the Jazz Showcase

by Sir Charles Thompson

Overview

Sir Charles Thompson recorded his most essential work in the 1940s, but the Count Basie-influenced pianist was still quite capable of excellence when the 21st century rolled around. Recorded live at Chicago's Jazz Showcase in August 2000, this CD finds an 82-year-old Thompson continuing to play with plenty of warmth and enthusiasm. Very few surprises occur; from the opener "Robbins' Nest" (Thompson's most famous composition) to Coleman Hawkins' "Stuffy" and overdone standards like "Easy Living," "'S Wonderful," and "Body and Soul," the improviser tends to play it safe in his choice of material and provides the type of bop/swing set he could have performed 50 or 55 years earlier. But Thompson is still a joy to listen to, and his chops have obviously held up nicely over the years. Jazz Showcase owner Joe Segal chose all of the Chicago-based musicians who accompany Sir Charles; most of the songs find him leading a trio that includes Ed de Haas on bass and Charles Braugham on drums, although five selections also employ reedman Eric Schneider. Robbins' Nest: Live at the Jazz Showcase falls short of essential, but it's a pleasing CD that Thompson's diehard fans will appreciate. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	11/14/2000
Label:	Delmark
UPC:	0038153052621
Rank:	166021

Tracks

1. Robbins Nest
2. 'S Wonderful
3. Tunis in (Tune Us In)
4. You Don't Know What Love Is
5. Body and Soul
6. A Boogie Woogie
7. Stuffy
8. Easy Living
9. The King
10. Blue and Sentimental
11. I Never Knew
12. Goodbye

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sir Charles Thompson   Primary Artist
Arthur Hoyle   Guest Artist
Eric Schneider   Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Public Domain   Composer
David Garfield   Composer
Gordon Jenkins   Composer
Todd Winters   Photography
Michael H. Goldsen   Composer
Lloyd Sachs   Liner Notes
Al Brandtner   Design
Traditional   Composer
Ted Fio Rito   Composer
Paul Serrano   Engineer
Steve Wagner   Engineer,Producer
Gene DePaul   Composer
Count Basie   Composer
Frank Eyton   Composer
Mack David   Composer
Don Raye   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Robert G. Koester   Producer,Supervisor
Ralph Rainger   Composer
Gus Kahn   Composer
Sir Charles Thompson   Composer
Illinois Jacquet   Composer
Coleman Hawkins   Composer
Edward Heyman   Composer
Johnny Green   Composer
Leo Robin   Composer
Robert Sour   Composer
Jerry Livingston   Composer