BN-LA-251-G

Marlena Shaw - Live At Montreux

Released - 1974

Recording and Session Information

"Montreux Jazz Festival", "Casino De Montreux", Switzerland, July 5, 1973
George Gaffney, piano, electric piano; Ed Boyer, bass; Harold Jones, drums; Marlena Shaw, vocals.

The Show Has Begun
The Song Is You
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Twisted
But For Now
Save The Children
Woman Of The Ghetto

Track Listing

Side One
Title	Author	Recording Date
The Show Has Begun	H.Silver	July 5 1973
The Song Is You	J.Kern-O.Hammerstein	July 5 1973
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life	S.Wonder	July 5 1973
Twisted	J.Hendricks	July 5 1973
Side Two
But For Now	B.Dorough	July 5 1973
Save The Children	A.Cleveland-M.Gaye-R.Benson	July 5 1973
Woman Of The Ghetto	B.Miller-M.Shaw-R.Evans	July 5 1973

Liner Notes

A 6-hour flight to Boston, a 4-hour lay-over, 12-hour flight and lay-over in Zurich, 45 minutes to Genova, and an hour bus ride found the Blue Note artists, George Butler, Director of Blue Note Records, and myself in Montreux, Switzerland, home of the Internationally acclaimed Montreux Jazz Festival. Though the trip was gruesome and tiring, the picturesque realism of the Alp Mountains, the windy, narrow, cobblestone streets of Montreux, and the never-ending Rhone River, quickly revived our travel-weary spirits.

This was the first year Blue Note Records actively participated at the Festival. The myriad of talent Blue Note Records showcased was indeed, an extravaganza. Veterans Donald Byrd, Marlena Shaw, and Bobby Hutcherson were juxtaposed with neophytes Ronnie Foster, Bobbi Humphrey, and Alphonze Mouzon. Blue Note Records participated in the Jazz Festival with hopes of 'turning on' and 'refamiliarizing' the European audiences with American Jazz talent.

One of the highlights of the evening and Festival was Marlena Shaw's debut performance at Montreux. Marlena Shaw is no newcomer. At the age of ten, Marlena entered show business at the Apollo Theatre in New York City. Local talent shows, frequent church gatherings, and the East Coast club circuit quickly brought Marlena to the attention of Cadet Records. She recorded two albums, "Out of Different Bags" and "Spice of Life." Marlena's rendition of Cannonball Adderley's instrumental hit, "Mercy, Mercy" broke through and onto the radio waves which finally established Marlena Shaw as a solo performer.

This recording brought her to the attention of Count Basie. Hired by Basie without an audition, Marlena experienced 4 years of one-night stands to SRO crowds world-wide. It was early 1972 when George Butler offered Marlena a contract with Blue Note Records. She has recorded two albums, "Marlena" and "From the Depths of My Soul." Coincidentally, she is the first female songstress signed to the label.

Marlena opened her set with the rhythmically exciting Horace Silver standard, "The Show Has Begun." She sets the 4/4 pace accentuating her unique ability for rhythmic phrasing. The energy quickens. The 2/4 timing of "The Song Is You" has the feet tapping. She stops. She knows the meaning of control, vocal and audience. By virtue of Marlena's delivery of "You Are The Sunshine of My Life," one could feel she was communicating not only with the audience, but to each individual as if he or she was Marlena's long-awaited "Sunshine." Whether Marlena tackles the warmth of a ballad as in "But For Now" or sings the message of "Save The Children," it is her songstress-style caress that surrounds the lyrics with sensitive vocal phrasing and clarity.

A "Gift For Gab" is rare; it's sporadic witticisms that can turn on any audience. "Woman Of The Ghetto" introduces this overt gift as Marlena melodically introduces pianist George Gaffney as, "from a one-hundred thousand house in the ghetto...he needs no more blessing."

Marlena Shaw can color any song, from any musical period with tonal qualities of purity and contentment. She creates the atmosphere: at times wild and vivacious, romantic and serene, or persuasive and climatic. She shares every note, every magic carpet ride transition. Her key of music is universal. Universal in delivery, this live recording of Marlena Shaw at the world's greatest celebration of Jazz is one of many contributory factors in the long over-due recognition of Marlena Shaw.

THE SHOW HAS BEGUN
Jere Haustater
Blue Note Records