Archie Shepp & Mal Waldron Left Alone Revisited (2 LP)

180g High Quality Pressing!
Re-mastering By Cicely Baston At Alchemy/Air Mastering, London!
Mal Waldron's first tribute to Billie Holiday, titled "Left Alone," was recorded in 1959, just months before the singer's death. Since then, he has honored the legendary singer several times, with this recording being his last tribute, which he recorded less than a year before his own death. Waldron, who has worked with her on Holidays in recent years, is very familiar with her recordings of the six standards featured on this LP, as well as her own "Lady Sings The Blues".
Archie Shepp's often gloomy tenor saxophone is reminiscent of the texture of Holiday's voice, but perfectly complements Waldron's lush piano. The two also convince with their powerful performance of "Left Alone" (Shepp's occasional squeak of the saxophone leaf seems to be intentional, as if he wanted to imitate the breaks of her voice). Waldron also recites Holiday's lyrics to his composition at the end of the LP. Shepp switches to the soprano saxophone for a soulful recording of "Everything Happens To Me" and "I Only Have Eyes for You," with the latter song sounding like the unheard singer is being ignored by her lover. Shepp's "Blues For 52nd Street" is both cheeky and energetic. This instrumental tribute to Billie Holiday is one of the best albums to honor her memory.
"Mal Waldron's first tribute to Billie Holiday, titled Left Alone, was recorded in 1959, mere months before the singer's death. He returned to salute the legendary vocalist on several occasions since then, with this recording likely being his final tribute, recorded less than a year before his own death. Waldron, who worked with Holiday during her last years, is intimately familiar with her takes of the six standards heard on this disc, along with her own 'Lady Sings the Blues.' Archie Shepp's often gritty tenor sax is reminiscent of the texture of Holiday's voice, yet he perfectly complements Waldron's lush piano. They also pack a punch with their stark performance of 'Left Alone' (Shepp's occasional reed squeaks seem deliberate, as if to imitate breaks in her voice). Waldron also recites Holiday's lyrics set to his composition at the conclusion of the LP. Shepp switches to soprano sax for an emotional take of 'Everything Happens to Me' and 'I Only Have Eyes for You,' with the latter song sounding as if the unheard singer is being ignored by her love interest. Shepp's 'Blues for 52nd Street' is both sassy and swinging. This instrumental salute to Billie Holiday is one of the best albums ever to honor her memory." - Ken Dryden/AMG

Features:

• 180g Vinyl
• Double LP
• Re-mastering by Cicely Baston at Alchemy/Air Mastering, London
• Gatefold sleeve

Musicians:

• Archie Shepp, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone & vocal
• Mal Waldron, piano

Selections:

Side A

1. Easy Living
2. Nice Work If You Can Get It
3. Everything Happens To Me

Side B

1. Left Alone
2. When Your Lover Has Gone

Side C

1. I Only Have Eyes For You
2. Blues For 52nd Street

Side D

1. Porgy
2. Lady Sings The Blues
3. Left Alone (Spoken Lyrics)

Produced by Werner Aldinger.
Recorded Feb 7 & 8, 2002 at la Muse en Circuit, Paris