To commemorate Herbie Nichols’ 2019 centennial, Triple Point is proud to announce the first-ever vinyl issue of Duck Baker’s 90s classic, Spinning Song. Available exclusively on high-quality, translucent-red vinyl and limited to this one pressing, Spinning Song contains solo acoustic guitar renditions of nine Nichols compositions, meticulously remastered from the original tapes. The set includes all of the original liner notes along with a new Duck Baker essay and two previously unseen photos.

 

One of several records devoted to the music of Herbie Nichols that appeared independently in the mid-1990s, Duck Baker’s Spinning Song has been regarded as a milestone by guitarists ever since. Baker had made his reputation over the previous two decades as a master fingerstyle guitarist working mostly in folk, ragtime, and swing, but this was his first real entry into the world of jazz guitar, and his background gave him a unique approach to Herbie Nichols. The jazz press gave Spinning Song a warm reception, and Acoustic Guitar magazine proclaimed it "one of the best guitar records ever recorded — by anybody." 

 

“Nowadays a lot of people are giving Nichols’ music the attention it deserves, but only Duck Baker’s playing makes me feel Herbie in the room.” — the late Roswell Rudd

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The enigmatic pianist and composer Herbie Nichols (1919–63) has forever been one of Jazz’s insider figures. Though he was the composer of “Lady Sings the Blues” for Billie Holiday, Nichols' compositions were little known, circulated, or performed in his lifetime. Two records for Blue Note made from several 1955–56 trio sessions are the central repository for Nichols’ very personal original music. He died in obscurity, but in the 21st century Herbie Nichols is rightly hailed for a profound and offbeat writing style comparable to that of his contemporary, Thelonious Monk.

      

Side A:

The Third World 4:03 The Happenings 4:32 2300 Skidoo 4:01 117th St. 3:44 Portrait of Ucha 4:06

Side B:

Lady Sings the Blues 5:14 Nick At T’s 4:45 House Party Starting 5:20 Spinning Song 4:53

 

Produced for reissue by Duck Baker and Ben Young

Mastered by Joe Lizzi at van Alst Sound, LIC, NY

Masters cut by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering, Brooklyn, NY

Records pressed at Independent Record Pressing, Bordentown, NJ

Designed by Svenja Knödler at bürosvenja, Montclair, New Jersey