Paul Weston and His Music From Hollywood Solo Mood [1956]

Columbia Records CL-879

First, the pace. The entire album travels at the speed of your pulse, so it's wonderfully relaxing. Second, the sound. Recorded in 1955, the album not only captures the band era's grandeur but also fits snugly into the newly emerging period of wide-bodied voicing. And third, the material. All of the song choices are smart and framed perfectly, with fine work by trumpeter Ziggy Elman, alto saxophonist Ted Nash, clarinetist Matty Matlock, trombonist Bill Schaefer, guitarist George Van Eps, and pianist Paul Smith among others.

Solo Mood is the cousin of Mood for 12 (previously posted), with many of the same musicians. Here, Weston offers fabulous charts on A Hundred Years From Today, Dancing on the Ceiling and Autumn in New York, with guitarist Barney Kessel soloing with clarinet and flute backing his lines. And oh those Weston intros! He hit a sweet spot in the zone between mood music and jazz. No one could ace those like Weston.

Tracklist:
01 Rockin' Chair - Joe Howard, Trombone Solo
02 A Foggy Day - Matty Matlock, Clarinet Solo
03 Body and Soul - Babe Russin, Tenor Saxophone Solo
04 Sweet Lorraine - George Van Eps, Guitar Solo
05 When It's Sleepy Time Down South - Clyde Hurley, Trumpet Solo
06 Lullaby In Rhythm - Paul Smith, Piano Solo
07 A Hundred Years From Today - Eddie Miller, Tenor Saxophone Solo
08 Dancing On The Ceiling (He Dances On My Ceiling) - Bill Schaefer, Trombone Solo
09 Autumn In New York - Barney Kessel, Guitar Solo
10 Honeysuckle Rose - Stanley Wrightsman, Piano Solo
11 You Are Too Beautiful - Ted Nash, Alto Saxophone Solo
12 The One I Love (Belongs To Somebody Else) - Ziggy Elman, Trumpet Solo