Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Barney Kessel (OJC: Let's Cook!

Barney Kessel (OJC: Let's Cook!

By Douglas Payne
May 1, 1999
Sign in to view read count

A lively, swinging date from 1957 that certainly lives up to its name. Guitarist Barney Kessel fits his perfect trio featuring bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Shelly Manne into one quintet with pianist Hampton Hawes and vibesman Victor Feldman and a sextet with tenor man Ben Webster, pianist Jimmy Rowles and trombonist Frank Rosolino. Over the course of five tunes, Kessel and company really stretch out nicely. Outstanding are Kessel's 11-minute title cut, deftly handled by the quintet, and clocking in at over nine minutes each are the sextet's imaginative takes on the Dixieland Jazz Band's "Tiger Rag" and "Jersey Bounce" (made famous earlier by Benny Goodman and here, a virtual showcase for Webster). Kessel shines on his speedy runs throughout, typically sounding like he's having the time of his life. He also yields nicely to his accomplished bandmates, who gel in a gently rocking groove that's quite easy to enjoy.

Songs:Let's Cook!; Time Remembered; Just In Time; Tiger Rag; Jersey Bounce.

Players:Barney Kessel: guitar; Leroy Vinnegar: bass; Shelly Manne: drums; Victor Feldman: vibes; Hampton Hawes, Jimmy Rowles: piano; Ben Webster: tenor sax; Frank Rosoloino: trombone.

Personnel

Barney Kessel

guitar, electric

Album information

Title: Let's Cook! | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Fantasy Jazz

< Previous
Kind of Blue

Next >
Dave Douglas: Convergence

Comments

About Barney Kessel

Instrument: Guitar, electric

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.