The first song is from Shelly Manne’s Check Mate album, based upon the T.V. show (1960-1962) of the same name … it’s called The Isolated Pawn.
Shelly Manne and his Men are comprised of Russ Freeman on piano, Richie Kamuca on tenor, Conte Candoli playing trumpet, Monte Budwig at the bass and, of course, Shelly Manne himself on drums. Shelly has been called “the most musical drummer who ever lived” and virtually any of his solos will bear that out.
The second tune is Speak Low, from the 1943 Broadway play One Touch of Venus and features the same ensemble. Both performances were recorded live in 1962 for Jazz Scene U.S.A. at Shelly’s Manne Hole in Los Angeles, CA.
