Mercury Records Collection: MG-25068: Piano Contrasts

MG-25068: Piano Contrasts / Bernie Leighton & Johnny Guarnieri

Label Type :	black/gold Mercury type A
Matrix Number :	SIDE-A	MG25068A
	SIDE-B	MG25068B

Comments

a thin paper sleeve: maybe a true 1st press.

Inside The Groove

A compilation of two of original Keynote sessions in each side: one by a famous studio pianist, another by a Waller-Tatum-like swingy pianist.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

On Side-A, Bernie Leighton plays so neat and soft, but with magnificient technique. It sounds like a “modern version of Teddy Wilson Trio” mood.

On Side-B, a swingy combo plays so fine. A very impressive ensemble. But once Johnny Guarnieri strikes the piano, backed up with a number of famous, capable and nice players, I also love his magnificient touch.

A very nice coupling of two pianists.

Strictly Personal Rating (to what extent I could enjoy this album)

7 out of 10

Track Listing

SIDE-A
A-1	HL163-2	Things Are Looking Up	-
A-2	HL159-1	Beyond The Moon	-
A-3	HL160-2	Have You Met Miss Jones	-
A-4	HL161-2	I See Your Face Before Me	-
SIDE-B
B-1	HL82-1	Rose Room	-
B-2	HL84-4	Coquette	-
B-3	HL106-4	All My Life	-
B-4	HL105-4	Why Do I Love You	-

Personnel

SIDE-A:
Bernie Leighton (p), Hy White (g), Trigger Alpert (b), Dave Tough (ds).
Recorded in New York, August 9, 1946.

B-1, B-2: Barney Bigard Quintet:
Barney Bigard (cl), Joe Thomas (tp), Johnny Guarnieri (p), Billy Taylor (b), Cozy Cole (ds).
Recorded in New York, February 5, 1945.

B-3, B-4: J. C. Heard Quintet:
J. C. Heard (ds), Buck Clayton (tp), Flip Phillips (ts), Johnny Guarnieri (p), Milt Hinton (b).
Recorded in New York, August 17, 1945.