2-3-4

2-3-4
Studio album by Shelly Manne
Released 1962
Recorded February 5 & 8, 1962
Genre Jazz
Length 41:38
Label Impulse!
Producer Bob Thiele
Shelly Manne chronology
At The Manne-Hole
(1961)		 2-3-4
(1962)		 Empathy
(1962)

2-3-4 is an album by American jazz drummer Shelly Manne featuring performances recorded in 1962 for the Impulse! label.[1]

Contents

Background

2-3-4 was not a typical album for Manne. Then associated primarily with West Coast jazz, on February 5, 1962, he flew from Los Angeles to New York City by arrangement with producer Bob Thiele, to be reunited with pioneering tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins and pianist Hank Jones, with both of whom he had recorded at different times in the 1940s. In an unusual session lasting through the wee hours of the morning, he ended by recording one tune as a duet with Hawkins, who for the first time in his career was recorded also playing the piano.[2]

The album also includes a second recording session at the same studio a few days later. Bassist George Duvivier stayed on with Manne, and they were joined by rising star Eddie Costa. Playing both piano and vibes, Costa recorded two tunes with Manne and Duvivier.

The name of the album is derived from its inclusion of a duet ("2"), two trio performances ("3"), and three tunes played by a quartet ("4"). Unusually, the standards "Take the "A" Train" and "Cherokee" were played in two tempos simultaneously, with Manne playing in double time consistently throughout "Cherokee".[2]

A fourth tune recorded by the quartet at the first session, "Avalon", was released at first only in the Impulse! collection The Definitive Jazz Scene, Volume 1.[3] Some thirty years later, it was included on the first CD reissue of 2-3-4 as a bonus track.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album four stars, calling it "a very interesting set with more than its share of surprises".[2]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [2]

Track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Take the "A" Train"   Billy Strayhorn 7:34
2. "The Sicks of Us"   Eddie Costa, George Duvivier, Shelly Manne 6:00
3. "Slowly"   Kermit Goell, David Raksin 5:34
4. "Lean on Me"   Allan Greene, Edwin Waldman 6:28
5. "Cherokee"   Ray Noble 3:29
6. "Me and Some Drums"   Coleman Hawkins, Manne 5:59
7. "Lean on Me" (Alternate take; Bonus track on CD reissue) Greene, Waldman 6:24
8. "Avalon" (Bonus track on CD reissue) Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva, Vincent Rose 6:34
  • Recorded at Fine Recording Ballroom Studio A in New York City on February 5 (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6 & 8), and February 8 (tracks 2, 4 & 7), 1962
Note that tracks 7 & 8 do not appear on the same CD reissues.

Personnel

References

  1. ^ Impulse! Records discography accessed March 17, 2011
  2. ^ a b c d Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed March 17, 2011
  3. ^ Impulse! Records discography accessed March 31, 2011