Melba Liston and Her 'Bones

Melba Liston and Her 'Bones is the sole album led by trombonist, arranger and composer Melba Liston, recorded for the MetroJazz label in 1958.[1][2][3]

Melba Liston and Her 'Bones
Studio album by
Released1959
RecordedDecember 22 & 24, 1958
StudioNew York City
GenreJazz
Length33:54
LabelMetroJazz
E 1013
ProducerLeonard Feather
Melba Liston chronology
Melba Liston and Her 'Bones
(1959)
Volcano Blues
(1993)

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
All About Jazz      [4]
AllMusic      [5]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [6]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings    [7]
Tom Hull – on the WebA–[8]

The All About Jazz review by Hrayr Attarian states: "The leader's interplay with the other trombone players adds to the musical richness of the recording. Even in the company of high-quality, accomplished master musicians like these, her musical skills stand out. Her lyrical improvisations are melodic, clear and gay when she plays unmuted, and mysterious and warm when muted. This recording is one of the few places to hear Melba Liston solo".[4]

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote: "there's much to enjoy and it's a feast for trombone lovers."[7]

A reviewer for Billboard described the album as "a fine new set," and commented: "The arrangements are fresh and modern, and the work... is mighty listenable."[9]

Critic Tom Hull awarded the album a grade of "A–", calling it "a real delight."[8]

Track listing edit

  1. "Blues Melba" (Melba Liston) – 6:33
  2. "The Trolley Song" (Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane) – 2:30
  3. "Pow!" (Leonard Feather) – 4:04
  4. "Wonder Why" (Nicholas Brodszky, Sammy Cahn) – 4:03
  5. "Christmas Eve" (Slide Hampton) – 5:00
  6. "What's My Line Theme" (Granville 'Sascha' Burland) – 4:24
  7. "You Don't Say" (Melba Liston) – 3:57
  8. "The Dark Before the Dawn" (Hampton, Feather) – 3:23

Personnel edit

References edit

  1. ^ Both Sides Now: MetroJazz Album Discography, accessed March 6, 2018
  2. ^ Jazzlists: MetroJazz discography, accessed March 6, 2018
  3. ^ Fitzgerald, M. Melba Liston Leader Entry, accessed March 6, 2018
  4. ^ a b Attarian, H. All About Jazz Review, accessed March 6, 2018
  5. ^ Melba Liston and Her 'Bones – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Oxford University Press. p. 260.
  7. ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 899. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
  8. ^ a b Hull, Tom (February 26, 2024). "Music Week". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  9. ^ "Reviews and Ratings of New Albums". Billboard. February 22, 1960. p. 48 – via Google Books.