Carmen (Barney Kessel album) explained

Carmen
Type:	Album
Artist:	Barney Kessel
Cover:	Carmen (Barney Kessel album).jpg
Released:	1959
Recorded:	December 19 & 22, 1958
Studio:	Contemporary Records Studio, Los Angeles, California
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	43:30
Label:	Contemporary M3563/S7563
Producer:	Lester Koenig
Chronology:	Barney Kessel
Prev Title:	The Poll Winners Ride Again!
Prev Year:	1958
Next Title:	Some Like It Hot
Next Year:	1959

Carmen (full title Modern Jazz Performances from Bizet's Carmen and also referred to as Kessel Plays Carmen) is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel performing adaptations of pieces from Georges Bizet's opera Carmen recorded in late 1958 and released on the Contemporary label.^[1]

Reception

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow states: "Kessel also wrote the arrangements, which pay tribute to the melodies while not being shy of swinging the themes. An interesting if not essential project".

Track listing

All compositions adapted from Georges Bizet and arranged by Barney Kessel

1. "Swingin' the Toreador" - 5:41
2. "A Pad on the Edge of Town" - 6:42
3. "If You Dig Me" - 4:00
4. "Free as a Bird" - 4:56
5. "Viva el Toro!" - 3:13
6. "Flowersville" - 5:55
7. "Carmen's Cool" - 4:36
8. "Like, There Is No Place Like..." - 3:56
9. "The Gipsy's Hip" - 3:30

Personnel

• Barney Kessel - guitar
• Ray Linn - trumpet (track 9)
• Harry Betts - trombone (track 9)
• Herb Geller - alto saxophone (track 9)
• Justin Gordon - flute, alto flute, tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 4-6, 8 & 9)
• Buddy Collette - clarinet, flute (tracks 1, 2, 4-6 & 8)
• Jules Jacob - clarinet, oboe (tracks 1, 2, 4-6 & 8)
• Bill Smith - clarinet, bass clarinet (tracks 1, 2, 4-6 & 8)
• Pete Terry - bass clarinet, bassoon (tracks 1, 2, 4-6 & 8)
  • André Previn - piano Victor Feldman - vibraphone (tracks 3 & 7)
• Joe Mondragon - bass
• Shelly Manne - drums

Notes and References

1. http://www.jazzdisco.org/contemporary-records/catalog-3500-7500-series/#m-3563 Contemporary Records discography