"Bassist Gary Peacock, who died in September of 2020, was probably best known for Trio '64, his sole album in 1963 with Bill Evans, as well as his work with Albert Ayler, Paul Bley, Marc Copland and Keith Jarrett. But before Trio '64, Peacock spent several years in Los Angeles working as a sideman. On the West Coast, Peacock emerged as part of a school of conversationalist bassists who didn't just keep time but were expected to engage with a point of view.
Now, Fresh Sound has released a wise sampler of Peacock's recordings during this period. The album, The Beginnings: Gary Peacock, West Coast Years (1959-1962), features the bassist with the Carmell Jones Quartet, the Bud Shank Quartet, the Clare Fischer Trio, the Carmell Jones Quintet, the Jimmy Woods Quartet, the Don Ellis Quartet and the Bud Shank Quintet.
All of the tracks have an avant-garde edge, with Peacock driving firmly on top. During this period, Peacock became a rhythmic player with unusual bass patterns and improvised statements, at times provoking and other times supporting. All of these tracks belong to eight terrific albums, which makes this new compilation a smart starting point for experiencing Peacock's roots and playing intellect. Much of the music is ahead of its time, refusing to fit into the era's pop and songbook approach and carving out new territory for small-group jazz. On each track selected by Fresh Sound's Jordi Pujol, Peacock is playing powerfully and distinctly.
You need to hear this album to understand Peacock's approach on future leadership albums and sideman sessions. The tracks are all terrific choices. - Marc Myers
Tracks
01. Willow Weep for Me (Ann Ronell) 7:28
02. Blues in the Surf (Bud Shank) 5:04
03. Stranger (Gary Peacock) 4:02
04. I’m Gonna Go Fishin’ (Ellington-Lee) 11:12
05. Donkey (Carla Bley) 4:37
06. Not Yet (Jimmy Woods) 7:58
07. Free Too Long (Clare Fischer) 7:30
08. Liddledabllduya (Gary Peacock) 3:58
09. Form (Don Ellis) 10:12
10. I Love You (Cole Porter) 5:15
11. New Groove (Bud Shank) 6:47
12. Blues for Home (Clare Fisher) 5:12
GARY PEACOCK bass
CARMELL JONES trumpet
DON ELLIS trumpet
BUD SHANK alto saxophone
JIMMY WOODS alto saxophone
HAROLD LAND tenor saxophone
FORREST WESTBROOK piano
CLARE FISCHER piano
MEL LEWIS drums
NICK MARTINIS drums
FRANK STRAZZERI piano
PAUL BLEY piano
DICK WHITTINGTON piano
CHUCK FLORES drums
BILLY BEAN guitar
GENE STONE drums
DENNIS BUDIMIR guitar
LEON PETTIES drums
MILT TURNER drums
BILL SCHWEMMER drums
Track #1, from "Carmell Jones - Previously Unreleased Los Angeles Session (FSRCD 867)
Track #2, from "Bud Shank - Bud Shank with Maynard Ferguson-Stu Williamson & Bob Enevoldsen" (Crown CLP 5311, also on FSRCD 606)
Tracks #3,7,10 & 12, from "Clare Fisher - First Time Out" (Pacific Jazz Stereo 52)
Track #4, from "Carmell Jones - The Remarkable" (Pacific Jazz Stereo-29)
Track #6, from "Jimmy Woods - Awakening!!" (Contemporary S7605)
Tracks #5 & 9, from "Don Ellis - Essence" (Pacific Jazz Stereo-55)
Tracks #8 & 11, from "Bud Shank - New Groove" (Pacific Jazz Stereo-21)
Fresh Sound Records - FSR-CD 996