The first thing that strikes one about this album is Scott’s allegiance to fellow saxophonists Lucky Thompson and Hank Mobley. The next thing one realises is that Scott has forged his own personal style and is probably playing better now than ever before. I know on several evenings over the last couple of years I have come away from the Scott Club having enjoyed the work of the owner considerably more than a number of his American guest stars. This LP too is a cut above many of the strange efforts which Downbeat give four and five stars to nowadays.
It places him with two differing rhythm sections and, on four tracks, a string section is added. Throughout the emphasis is rather on restrained ballad performances, the exceptions being Eyes and Lightly, a pair of steamers which do not lead Ronnie into the trap of overblowing – he’s too mature for that. I suspect that most of this material was recorded some time ago, particularly the items including guitarist Ernest Ranglin who returned to the West Indies a couple of years back. Ranglin, incidentally, is more sympathetic to Scott’s aims than pianist Stan Tracey whose sub-Monkisms are trotted out glibly without regard for the context.
The main consideration, however, should be Scott and there is more than enough fine stuff from him here to justify a purchase. Benny Green’s liner notes have nothing to do with the record; neither for that matter has the absurd title.
Discography
(a) Baubles, Bangles And Beads; (a) For Heaven’s Sake; (b) Sweet Lotus Blossom; (a) The Night Is Young (and You’re So Beautiful); (a) The Night Has A Thousand Eyes (24 min) – (c) What’s New?; (c) They Can’t Convince Me; (c) All About Ronnie; (c) Once Upon A Summertime; (a) Treat It Lightly (20¼ mins)
(a) Ronnie Scott (ten): Stan Tracey (p); Rick Laird (bs); Bill Eyden (d). London. 1965.
(b) Scott (ten): Ernest Ranglin (g); Lennie Bush (bs); Tony Crombie (d). London, probably 1964.
(c) Same as (b) but add large, unidentified string section. Similar date.
(Fontana TL 332 33s. 1d.)
