In the 1970s, Concord recorded many great jazz albums, especially ones by guitarists. Back in 2010, I posted on Barney Kessel's Soaring, which has long been a favorite. Today's Concord winner is Herb Ellis and Remo Palmier's Windflower, a perfect album released in 1978. The two guitarists were backed by George Duvivier on bass and Ron Traxler on drums.
Elllis was best known as a member of the Oscar Peterson Trio from 1953 to 1958. He also composed Detour Ahead and I Told Ya I Love Ya, Now Get Out. Palmier is less well known. He began his recording career with Red Norvo and with Norvo's former wife, singer Mildred Bailey (the two were divorced in 1942). An early bebop pioneer, Palmier played on 52nd Street and recorded with Coleman Hawkins. He also appeared on an early important bebop recording date—the Dizzy Gillespie Sextet's Groovin' High session in 1945 for Guild, featuring Gillespie (tp), Charlie Parker (as), Clyde Hart (p), Remo Palmieri (g), Slam Stewart (b) and Cozy Cole (d). Palmier would later remove the final "i" on his last name. [Photo above of Herb Ellis]
Palmier, whose playing style emulated the attack of a horn, went on to record with every major player of the mid-1940s, including Benny Goodman, Teddy Wilson and Flip Phillips. But his discography went cold in 1946, not reappearing until 1973. His sizable recording gap was a result of a golden gig with Arthur Godfrey, at first on his CBS radio show and then his long-lasting television program. Palmier was with Godfrey for 27 years. Only when Godfrey's show was cancelled did Palmier return to playing gigs and recording. [Photo above of Remo Palmier, courtesy of Getty Images]
On Windflower, the two of guitarists exhibit a relaxed and natural beauty. All of the tracks are standards, but through their easy, swinging approach, they sound fresh and alive. The guitar lines are lovely, and the chords are splendidly voiced. The songs are Windflower, The Night Has a Thousand Eyes, My Foolish Heart, Close Your Eyes, Danny Boy, Walkin', Star Dust, Triste and Groove Merchant.
They don't make albums like this anymore. Many of these great Concord recordings were produced by Carl Jefferson (above), the label's founder, who personally produced more than 500 releases. For some strange reason, his name is absent from Wiki's Concord Records entry, which is unfortunate. Someone with this much good taste should be celebrated, not forgotten.
Herb Ellis died in 2010; Remo Palmier died in 2002.
JazzWax tracks: Sadly, Windflower is out of print and hard to find. The album came out on vinyl in 1978 and on CD in 1992. If you find it, the price will likely set you back between $200 and $300. I'm not sure why Concord hasn't reissued some of these masterpieces. I'm guessing someone is going to tell me by email. More to follow.
JazzWax clip: Here's the full album...
