Roberta's piano and vocals are backed by Ron Carter on bass, Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, and Ray Lucas on drums. On many of the tracks there are horn & string arrangements by William S. Fischer. But the horn and string "sweetenings" are generally light, tasteful, and I would venture to guess, added in post-production.
The album lives up to its name, with the songs captured in a single take, creating a relaxed, "live in the studio" atmosphere. The album is basically a recreation of Roberta's live set, she played at Mr. Henry’s Jazz club in Washington, D.C. This was where Les McCann caught her set, and got her a recording contract with Atlantic Records. Les also wrote the liner notes for 'First Take'
When 'First Take' was released, critics loved it, but it didn't sell well, it was however popular with the R'n'B and Jazz crowd. ,
In 1971, Clint Eastwood put "First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" in his film, 'Play Misty for Me'. The song became a breakout hit for Roberta in late 1971/early1972 more than three years after its original 1969 release.
'First Take' reached number 1 on the Billboard albums chart and Billboard R&B album chart.
Track list
1. Compared to What
2. Angelitos Negros
3. Our Ages or Our Hearts
4. I Told Jesus
5. Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye
6. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
7. Tryin' Times
8. Ballad of the Sad Young Men
The aesthetic on 'First Take' is unified, but the set list is diverse. This is an astonishing album that sounds timeless.
For the freeload, what's your favorite film that Clint Eastwood starred in?
"Why don't you knock it off with those negative waves...." Kelly's Heroes is a longtime favorite of mine (but maybe more so for Donald Sutherland and the supporting cast). Ones where he was more of the main focus would be a 4 way tie: Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino and The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.
ReplyDeleteIn case anyone had the same reaction I did (a blank look), here's the list:
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clint_Eastwood_filmography#Acting_roles
I will admit that, when I read it over once, I have a memory of seeing "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" with a friend, and being mildly amused. I think he's an excellent director, but I guess I'm not big on Westerns or action films.
D in California
Like Nicholson, who for decades has just played himself, as far as I can tell, Eastwood just plays Clint Eastwood. That said, "The good, The Bad, and The Ugly" is a film and the (in)famous Dirty Harry riff creepy but compelling--""I know what you're thinking..."
ReplyDeleteANON RF: I think I'll have to go with Unforgiven (or maybe that's just his best, in my opinion). Maybe my favorite is Trouble With The Curve. Baseball flicks, y'know.
ReplyDeleteI'll go with 'The Bridges of Madison County'. It also has a wonderful OST from Leonard Niehaus, and also features songs from Johnny Hartman and Dinah Washington.
ReplyDelete'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly' - whenever I asked my husband Jerry a question, it started with "Hey Blondieee"
Every time we cross the Big Black River north of Jackson on our monthly hegira to Oxford Town, we say "The Bridge of Madison County." Confused? Google Maps is your friend.
DeleteP.S. The Madison County sewage lagoons are beside I-55. Last summer the odor of patchouli was incredible. Somebody musta flushed everything.
I laughed...
DeleteClint is responsible for some of my all-time-favorite movies, including the top-tenner High Plains Drifter. But, like DeNiro, there's something about this intimidating guy playing comedy that just grabs me, so Every Which Way But Loose may be my favorite of his roles.
ReplyDeleteC in California
I'll go with Play Misty For Me, I think it was also his directorial debut. My wife watched an episode of Rawhide every morning for a couple of years. Thanks Babs
ReplyDeleteAll of those spaghetti westerns. Circa 1971, a bunch of us loaded into a big-ass Plymouth. Three folks rode in the trunk. It was $1 per person night at the drive in. We smoked a lot of reefer & got 3 people in for free.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm sure plenty will mention the Spaghetti Westerns or indeed the Harry Callahan movies but for me the one that always comes to mind first came out a year before Play Misty For Me and that was 'Coogan's Bluff' with its amazing 'Pigeon Toed Orange Peel' night club. Check it out.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyhOYITO3Sg
Unforgiven. Followed by the first Dirty Harry movie.
ReplyDeleteLink
ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/ddKrPcpRLV8
I'm not a big Eastwood fan, but I always did enjoy his work in "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" with Jeff Bridges. They had great chemistry together. His Dirty Harry period left me cold. It had such a strong fascistic undertones. And of course, the Sergio Leone stuff is great for its wonderfully stylized violence. It's always good for a giggle.
ReplyDeleteUndertones?
DeleteThe Good, The Bad And The Ugly 'cuz it's one of the best films ever made.
ReplyDeleteUnforgiven 'cuz it's on eof the best Westerns ever made.
The wife, not much for action films and Westerns, would second the vote for The Bridges Of Madison County