Clark After Dark: The Ballad Album

Personnel: Clark Terry (flugelhorn); Martin Kershaw (guitar, reeds); Fred Parrington, Bill Reid, John Willison, Derek Solomons, Bela Dekany, Bill Armon, Hans Geiger, Peter Benson , Desmond Bradley, Paul Sherman, Dennis McConnell, Charles Vorzanger, Tony Gilbert, Diana Cummings, Homi Kanga, Jim Archer, Michael Jones , Max Salpeter (violin); Margaret Major, Luciano Jorio, Ken Essex, Rusen Gunes (viola); Stan Sulzmann (flute, alto flute, reeds, tenor saxophone); Roy Willox (flute, clarinet, reeds, alto saxophone); Tony Coe (flute, clarinet, reeds, tenor saxophone); Ronnie Ross (clarinet, reeds, baritone saxophone); Al Newman (bass clarinet, reeds, alto saxophone); Gordon Beck (reeds, piano); Tristan Fry (reeds, percussion); Chris Laurence (reeds); Terry Johns (French horn); Nat Peck, Raymond Premru, Cliff Hardy, Dave Horler (trombone); Arthur Watts, Rodney Stratford (double bass).
Liner Note Authors: Dirk Sommer; Martin Cook.
Clark Terry's 1977 studio date with an orchestra conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer might very well fall into the easy listening category were it not for his brilliant improvisations on fluegelhorn, which he plays throughout the session. Most of the material consists of classic songs that Terry was undoubtedly very familiar with by the time of this 1977 recording, including "Misty," "Willow Weep for Me," "Angel Eyes," and "Yesterdays," with the arrangements all having pretty much a low-key, late-night feeling, hence the album title. Producer Mike Hennessey co-wrote "November Song" with Willi Fruth, a ballad with swirling strings; and Herbolzheimer contributed "Clark After Dark," a tasty blues that is a good deal looser than most of the rest of the album, which also features great solos by pianist Gordon Beck and trombonist Dave Horler, as well as some great muted horn from Terry. The loping "Girl Talk" showcases tenor saxophonist Tony Coe and guitarist Martin Kershaw briefly. While this isn't one of Clark Terry's most essential LPs, his flawless playing make it a worthwhile investment -- if you can only find it. ~ Ken Dryden