Clifford Brown - Clifford Brown with Strings

Absolutely Amazing! One Of The Best With Strings Albums Ever!

Clifford Brown "With Strings" is simply a landmark jazz recording. There have been several with strings records made through the years, but trust me when I say that this is one of the best ones I ever heard. Released on Emarcy Records in 1955, Brown proves why he's one of the most lyrical trumpeters to ever grace the bandstand. If you dig Brown, I also suggest getting "Brown and Roach, Inc." or "Study In Brown" to hear him play some outstanding bebop jazz.

All of these pieces were arranged by Neal Hefti. The rhythm section is Richie Powell on piano, George Morrow on bass, and Max Roach on drums. This group of musicians doesn't get a chance to stretch out like on the bebop recordings, but they provide terrific backup for Brown. You couldn't have asked for a better rhythm section.

If you enjoy horn with strings records, then I would highly recommend picking this one up.

Also recommended: Roy Hargrove with Strings: Moment To Moment, Harold Land - A Lazy Afternoon, and Clark Terry - Clark After Dark: The Ballad Album. March 30, 2008

Clifford Brown With Strings

Clifford Brown has been one of my favorite trumpet players of plus 35 years. I'm just as delighted with recording as anything I've ever heard! Thank You. January 10, 2007

A Bit Schmaltzy But Lovely Nonetheless

The tone of Brown is gorgeous and the album works as a wonderful showcase for Brown whose pure playing booms and solos out clearly over and away from the strings..the album's mix sounds somewhat juxtaposed but this was 1956..and the record does say Clifford Brown with Strings..
Of course it could have been better in retrospect when one considers a similar concept such as Bird's with Strings..but then again let us be glad this CD reissue was given fine treatment and sound, wonderfully packaged with emotive quality.
May 5, 2006

What a bargain!!

I can't believe what a bargain I got when I picked up this Clifford Brown. Disc is new, excellent price, and if you listen to "Willow Weep for Me", you'll instantly know what I'm talkin' about. I've heard this song done by a few different artists, and the version on this artist is, bar none, the best one I've heard. It just takes me; this cut alone is worth the price of the disc. Great music... January 6, 2006

Give It Up For The Band

This is indeed an incredible and magical piece of work; in no small measure due to the 'Strings" from the title. Unfortunately and uncharacteristically, Verve Records has seen fit to not give credit where it is also due beyond the talents of Mr. Brown, Mr. Roach, Mr. Hefti, etc.

Despite a new set of liner notes that include interview quotes and rememberances including the following quote from Mr. Hefti "They were the top studio string players in New York...", the Strings remain "unknown". So...to set the record straight about one "unknown String", please know all you jazz fans that the late Mac Ceppos, an accomplished violinist,jazz violin innovator, band leader, arranger and accompianist for the likes of Patty Page and Perry Como, and my Grandfather, played on this recording. It was one of his proudest pieces of work, one that he shared with me as a child and young adult. He knew the magnitude of the record. It is a shame that he and the other proud, passionate musical artists in this and other records of this era are relagated to anonymity.

By the way, if you're wondering which one he is, look at the photos from the back of the original album cover. The bottom left photo of Hefti conducting the Strings...the man in the black suit left of Hefti's head...that's my Grandpa. He was a fine man and a marvelous musician. Enjoy. December 29, 2005

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