Steve Lacy - Early Years 1954-1956 / 2CD set

This 2-CD set charts the exciting early years of Steve Lacy, playing progressive Dixieland and swinging mainstream jazz on a soprano saxophone with extraordinary freshness, vigor and personal style, when he exploded onto the mid-50's jazz scene.

To hear Steve play the multi-toned modern figures and extended line on an instrument usually associated with Sydney Bechet is always a stimulating experience. Of his extraordinary approach to the instrument, Lacy said: "As Charlie Parker increased the technical and expressive possibilities of the alto, Milt Jackson, the vibraphone, Kenny Clarke, the drums and Jimmy Blanton, the bass, one of my personal aims is to do the same for the soprano." On hearing these sessions, we think you'll agree that he managed to do just that.

CD1
01. Avalon
02. Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise
03. I'm Coming Virginia
04. I Would Do Anything for You
05. Liza
06. How About You
07. Youre Lucky to Me
08. Peg O My Heart
09. As Long As I Live
10. My Old Flame
11. A Foggy Day
12. Lets Get Away from It All
13. I bid
14. Love Me or Leave Me
15. Footnote
16. Sunday

CD 2
01. Gee, Baby, Aint I Good To You
02. My Heart Is a Hobo
03. Out of Nowhere
04. Rosetta
05. Fidgety Feet
06. Potatoes
07. Lets Get Lost
08. These Are the Things I Love
09. Spain
10. Some of These Days
11. Young Lesley
12. It Could Happen To You
13. Lover Man
14. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
15. You Stepped Out of a Dream
16. Once In a While
17. Strike Up the Band
18. Over the Rainbow
19. Perdido
20. Why Don¹t You Take Up the Piccolo?
21. Give Me the Simple Life
22. Indian Blanket