1955 · Album
Barney Kessel, Volume 3: "To Swing or Not to Swing"
Recorded 1955 · Contemporary
Two Guitars Trading in Straight-Ahead Swing
Kessel and Hendrickson push each other through bright, uncluttered sessions that let the soloists breathe.
What hits first is how clean this sounds — two guitars trading lines over a rhythm section that locks in without fussing. Barney Kessel and Al Hendrickson sit at the center of these sessions, trading riffs and solos with Georgie Auld and Bill Perkins on tenor, while Harry "Sweets" Edison's trumpet cuts in sharp and conversational. Jimmy Rowles keeps the piano lean, Red Mitchell anchors everything on bass, and either Shelly Manne or Irv Cottler on drums gives the whole thing a light but propulsive touch. It's the sound of players who know the language and aren't trying to reinvent it—just swing hard, play straight, let the melody and phrasing do the work.
This was recorded in 1955, when Kessel was establishing himself as a guitarist who could lead a date without needing to show off. The two-guitar front line is the real draw here. Kessel doesn't hog the spotlight; he and Hendrickson volley back and forth, each soloist answering the last one. There's no ego in it, just musicians listening to each other and responding in the moment. The tempo is brisk without rushing, and the arrangements stay simple enough that you hear every player clearly.
AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow nailed it calling this "highly recommended to fans of straight-ahead jazz"—this isn't a departure or a statement, it's a solid working date that proves Kessel belonged in any front line. It's early in his career as a leader, and you can hear why he'd keep recording: he had the taste to pick good players, the chops to keep up, and the restraint not to get in their way.
Who's playing
Red Mitchelldouble bass
Jimmy Rowlespiano
Al Hendricksonguitar
Barney Kesselguitar
Georgie Auldtenor saxophone
Bill Perkinstenor saxophone
Harry “Sweets” Edisontrumpet
Shelly Mannedrums
Irv Cottlerdrums
Where next?
More by Barney Kessel
Barney Kessel, Volume 1: Easy Like 1956
Some Like It Hot 1959
Feeling Free 1969
♫
Modern Jazz Performances From Bizet's Carmen 1959
The musicians on this record
The Drum Sessions 1975
Shelly Manne
plays drums (drum set) here
plays drums (drum set) here
Bob Brookmeyer Featuring John Williams & Red Mitchell 1963
Red Mitchell
plays double bass here
plays double bass here
♫
"If I'm Lucky" 1977
Jimmy Rowles
plays piano here
plays piano here
