FACING WES

RONALD MULDROW – FACING WES
(USA, 1996)

 I have re-posted Ronald Muldrow’s Yesterdays at the request of a friend (new link in the comments of the original post).  By the same occasion I’m posting another Muldrow’s album: Facing Wes.  He is a much under-rated guitarist who left us too early (he was not even 58 when he died) and whose albums are almost all OOP. 

Here is what Scott Yanow at AMG has to say about this album:

Ronald Muldrow, an L.A.-based guitarist whose main influences is Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell, is a strong improviser in the tradition of 1960s straight-ahead jazz. For this outing, Muldrow is joined by some top New York musicians: pianist James Williams, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist Peter Washington, drummer Yoron Israel and percussionist Kendrick Gueno. The guitarist performs six of his originals (including tributes to Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Oliver Nelson and Charles Mingus), two numbers from his former employer Eddie Harris (including a waltz version of "All Blues" called "Three Quarter Miles"), the swinger "Our Day Will Come," and "Little White Lies." The interplay between Muldrow, Nelson and Williams is quite impressive (Nelson virtually co-stars with Muldrow as a soloist and as a key sound in the ensembles); the music always moves, and the generally relaxed set is full of subtle surprises. A fine effort. (source: AMG).

Credits:

Ronald Muldrow                    leader / guitar

Steve Nelson                           vibraphone

James Williams                      piano

Peter Washington                  bass

Yoron Israel                          drums


Kendrick Gueno                    percussions

Tracks

1          On the Fritz                           Muldrow                              6:36

2          Facing Wes                            Muldrow                              4:50

3          Andrea                                   Muldrow                              7:20

4          Granite Green                       Muldrow                              8:03

5          Oliver's Moments                 Muldrow                            10:12

6          Our Day Will Come              Garson, Hilliard                   7:17

7          Minus Mingus                       Muldrow                              8:45

8          Cryin' Blues                           Harris                                  5:25

9          Three Quarter Miles             Harris                                  8:58

10        Little White Lies                    Donaldson                           5:45