Herman Foster - Ready and Willing
Released 1964
Recording and Session Information
Herman Foster, piano; Herman Wright, bass; Bruno Carr, drums
RVG, Englewood, New York, October 3 1963
12748 The night we called it a day
12749 You've changed
12750 Popcorn
12751 Our day will come
12752 My ship
12753 Blue-ese
12754 How about you?
12755 Someday my prince will come
12756 Namely you
12757 Ready and willing
Track Listing
| Ready And Willing | Herman Foster | October 3 1963 |
| My Ship | K. Weill & Ira Gershwin | October 3 1963 |
| The Night We Called It A Day | Adair & Dennis | October 3 1963 |
| Blue- Ese | Herman Wright | October 3 1963 |
| Namely You | Mercer-DePaul | October 3 1963 |
| Our Day Will Come | Gorson & Hilliard | October 3 1963 |
| You´ve Changed | Carey & Fischer | October 3 1963 |
| Someday My Prince Will Come | Frank E. Churchill & L. Morcy | October 3 1963 |
| Popcorn | Herman Wright | October 3 1963 |
| How About You | B. Lane & Fried | October 3 1963 |
Liner Notes
BRUNO CARR, a native New Yorker and musician with talent and versatility in handling the drums, had a problem on his mind — he was seeking a good bass man to join pianist Herman Foster and himself in a "gig" at Wells. This problem was fortuitously resolved by the accidental meeting, at the corner of 135th Street and Lenox Avenue, of Carr and Herman Wright in early June of year.Wright, an enterprising, 3l-year.old alumnus of the "Motor City Gang" and a bassist in charge of a cool, rhythmical beat, expressed the proper of interest in Mr. Carr's dilemma; in fact, he expressed delight with the invitation to become a member of the group and after an exchange of telephone calls, the three gentlemen assembled and agreed to the formation of the Herman Foster Trio.
The Trio's mentor, a 53-year-old, sensitive, blind pianist from Philadelphia, is known foremost for his work as accompanist for leading vocalists. His most recent effort was with the Earl May Trio Gloria Lynne.
The Trio was booked in Wells, a pleasantly warm and happy palace located on Seventh Avenue, for a 2-week engagement in the middle of June 1963, and has since become a permanent fixture. A repertoire of wide range and variety has audiences, which generally come for one set, staying for two and more.
The interplay sparkles with wit, gaiety, and the thorough enjoyment of musicians playing together. Herman Wright recalls their second night together: they had found that certain groove which is necessarv for a successful venture.
The fruits of success are present in the Trio's first recording for Argo. The selections illustrate an 'en rapport' and poised group.
An accurate description of the musicians is the title opus by Foster. an improvised walking blues called "Ready and Willing."
There are two other originals written by Wright, "Blue-ese" and "Popcorn,". The latter, the nickname of Wright's son, is a delightful illustration of a jumpin', hoppin' youth in a minor blues. Foster gallops through choruses with gay, lighthearted chords. Wright supplies a chorus of joyful and talented impressions also.
"Blue-ese," another minor blues, introduces Foster's neo-rhythm, "Bossa Loch." The "Bossa Loch" leans more toward the Afro-Cuban sound than that of the Samba, and the Trio functions excellently at this tempo in "Blue•ese," "Night We Called It A Day," and "Our Day Will Come." Each of these reveals a relaxed, agile unit at its peak.
Foster's distinctive styling of rolling block chords and single note playing is continuously flowing without repetition.
Wright's bass is a pillar of steady rhythm and inventive ideas. Carr shows a keen sense of tempo and is in full command of the matters of percussion.
"My Ship" and "You've Changed" receive an imaginative, warm, lyrical ballad interpretation. "Some Day My Prince Will Come" is done in a lilting three-quarter tempo, with an invitation to the dance intro by Wright.
"Namely You" and "How About You" bounce along in a finger-snapping vein.
Among jazz musicians, the greatest Compliment a fellow musician is that he has the ability to "sing at the drop of a hat." After listening to this album, you'll agree that the Herman Foster Trio is ready and willing.
Ernest F. Dyson
