ORCHESTRA U.S.A. "Debut" LP Stereo NM/NM Colpix 1963 w/ Eric Dolphy, Phil Woods
Sold Date:
January 11, 2021
Start Date:
June 19, 2020
Final Price:
$25.50
$20.00
(USD)
Seller Feedback:
14731
Buyer Feedback:
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AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden [-]
John Lewis formed Orchestra U.S.A. as a vehicle to potentially explore any composed or improvised music, blending elements of jazz and classical music by recruiting some first-rate players from both worlds. The result is one of the more successful third stream recordings. There are two string quartets, plus woodwinds, brass, and a rhythm section present. Collaborating with Gunther Schuller, who conducted the group and did some of the orchestrations, Lewis expanded his work "Three Little Feelings" from its original chart for brass, featuring outstanding solos by alto saxophonist Phil Woods and guitarist Jim Hall. Lewis includes two pieces he had written for William Inge's play Natural Affection; Dolphy's fireworks on "Donnie's Theme" contrast with the easygoing "Natural Affection," which features the leader's piano and has a sudden dramatic finale. Gary McFarland contributed both "Milesign" and "Grand Encounter"; the former composition is a driving bop chart with a typically angular alto sax solo by Dolphy, while the latter piece is quirky and has a playful solo by Lewis. Schuller's rather stiff arrangement of "The Star Spangled Banner" serves as a odd but brief coda to close the record. Although there were additional records by Orchestra U.S.A., none of them match the heights of this initial effort. [Originally issued as a Colpix LP and long unavailable, this highly recommended album finally appeared as a Lone Hill Jazz CD in 2004, adding the mono takes for each selection as bonus tracks.
John Lewis (2), Orchestra U.S.A. – Orchestra U.S.A.
Label:
Colpix Records – SCP 448
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country:
US
Released:
1963
Genre:
Jazz
Style:
Tracklist
A1Three Little Feelings
A2Milesign
A3Milano
B1Natural Affection
B2Donnies Theme
B3Grand Encounter
B4Star Spangled Banner
Credits
Clarinet – Phil Woods
Flute – Eric Dolphy
Guitar – Jim Hall
Percussion – Connie Kay, Gary McFarland
Notes
Recorded Jan 12, Feb 4 & 27, 1963. Stereo.
GOLDMINE GRADING
MINT ---- It should appear to be perfect. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect.
NEAR MINT ---- Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to a corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly.
VERY GOOD PLUS ---- The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too far from perfect. On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors.
VERY GOOD ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical experience. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.
GOOD ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork.
POOR ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws.
