Stan TRACEY – Little Klunk c/w Showcase

Stan Tracey is one of the finest jazz pianists and composers, not merely in his native Britain, or in Europe, but in the world. This is a welcome re-issue of two albums from the late 1950's. Showcase is a collection, as one may guess, of songs from musicals, many which have become standards in the jazz world. Here, Tracey is still finding his feet, as it were, on the piano, and his distinctive style hadn't fully formed. That isn't to say it's not superbly executed: it's a very enjoyable set. Little Klunk, named after a cartoon character, came a year afterwards, when Tracey's distinctive, indeed unique, style had fully emerged. Backed by Kenny Napper And Phil Seaman, Tracey's composing and playing are first-rate. It's all great stuff, but listen most of all to the brooding masterpiece "Boo-Bah".

Track Listing

"LITTLE KLUNK"
1. LI'L OL' POTTSVILLE
2. DREAM OF MANY COLOURS
3. LITTLE KLUNK
4. BOO-BAH
5. BABY BLUE
6. A WALK IN THE PARK
7. WE'LL CALL YOU
8. FREE
"SHOWCASE"
9. ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE
10. OVER THE RAINBOW
11. SURREY WITH THE FRINGE ON TOP
12. I LOVE PARIS
13. THE BEST THING FOR YOU
14. I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE
15. THIS NEARLY WAS MINE
16. THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME
17. I'VE GOT FIVE DOLLARS
18. MAD ABOUT THE BOY
19. BUT NOT FOR ME
20. LOVE IS