Music to Listen to
While the title of this recording plays on the then-popular idea of background and mood music, there's still plenty of jazz interest generated by Oklahoma-born guitarist Barney Kessel, one of the true heirs of Charlie Christian. The 1956 session matches Kessel with five reeds (including oboe, flute, and clarinets) and a fine rhythm section made up of other West Coast stalwarts: bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Shelly Manne. The arrangements range from the chamber music texture of "My Reverie" to the briskly swinging renditions of "Mountain Greenery" and "Fascinatin' Rhythm." Kessel plays wonderfully throughout, whether rendering rapid single-note lines or constructing the beautifully chorded introduction to the ballad "Laura." There are also fine solo contributions by Buddy Collette on flute and the superb pianist Jimmy Rowles.--Stuart Broomer