Search - Jon Hendricks :: Freddie Freeloader

Essential Vocalese

Anthony J. Williams | Valley Center, California | 10/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like vocalese, then this cd is for you. The song selection and performances are excellent. In my opinion, it stands up with the best Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross stuff. It is clear that a lot of love and effort went into the making of this record. Buy and enjoy."

Vocal extravaganza

Nikica Gilic | Zagreb, Croatia | 05/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Pretty good for a 78 year old jazz singer

C. Guido | London | 02/11/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Do not start here if you're not familiar with the Father of Vocalese. After you've listened to his work with the ineffable LH&R you will appreciate what this guy has done for jazz singing. It is great to hear some of his descendant "sing along" with him on this late date: the two tracks with Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau and George Benson and the one with Manhattan Transfer are superb and definitely worth the price of admission."