Porgy and Bess (subtitled Swingin' Impressions by Hank Jones) is an album by American jazz pianist Hank Jones featuring interpretations of music from George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess recorded in 1958 for the Capitol label.Capitol Records Discography accessed July 31, 2015Hank Jones Catalog accessed July 31, 2015
Reception
Allmusic awarded the album 3 stars.Allmusic listing, accessed July 31, 2015 On All About Jazz, Franz A. Matzner noted, "Supported by Milt Hinton and Kenny Burrell, as well as brother Elvin's immeasurable percussive abilities, Hank's playing stands out crisply in its almost minimalist approach. Elvin displays a light touch which may contrast with his usual pyrotechnic image, but is here perfectly matched to Hank's deliberative style, enhancing the subdued, intimate feel of this unusually pared down production".Matzner, F. A., All About Jazz Review, July 10, 2004 In JazzTimes, Thomas Conrad was less enthusiastic and wrote, "Jones' encounters with icons like "Summertime" and "It Ain't Necessarily So" bring no important insights. They are mannered, highly stylized and flawless".Conrad, T., JazzTimes Review, January/February 2005
Track listing All compositions by George Gershwin "Summertime" - 2:34 "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York" - 2:11 "My Man's Gone Now" - 3:44 "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing" - 2:42 "Bess, You Is My Woman Now" - 2:47 "It Ain't Necessarily So" - 3:26 "I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'" - 2:30 "Oh, I Can't Sit Down" - 4:06 "Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?" - 3:28 "I Ain't Got No Shame" - 2:16
Personnel Hank Jones - piano Kenny Burrell - guitar Milt Hinton - bass Elvin Jones - drums, percussion
References