Art Pepper, Art Lives (1983)
When I first got into Art Pepper – it was all the smooth stuff from the 50s and early 60s. Class act. Even if he was a mess off the stage and out of the booth – and even sometimes famously when he was playing (or about to be playing). But there are two periods in Pepper’s career. And after lock-ups and rehabs he bounced back in the late 70s and early 80s to rip out some albums and do some shows and I previously thought this was the garbage run. But I’m newly interested in all of his work and moving through the entire catalogue. And I’ve decided to pay some attention to the late-period and there are some gems. I found this live album recently – the recordings are from 1981. And there’s some great stuff here. A nice combo on the record too. And I love the new attack Art felt as he went at some old standards. I also love the mess of this album cover – the back jacket has notes scribbled across it from Pepper, enthusing over some of his own work (“best solo” etc) and also a note pointing out that one of the tracks is wrong. Seems to sum up his life and career in a way. Rough and weird and a mess – with some stunning work and absolute beauty about it too.

Sample Track: But Beautiful
The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown