![]() Ray Lucas is drumming another Jazz professional having played with the likes of King Curtis, George Benson, Jack McDuff to name a few with these three gentlemen including Roberta Flack making a quartet which is the basis of the sound used in the record. John "Bucky" Pizzarelli is on guitar and boy what a history he has had, having played with Les Paul for one and he has left quite a dynasty after retirement with his two sons renowed musicians today. Ron does not get to his Miles Davis speeds but that is where I find his playing so stunning as the timing is often quite slow and he really had to be on his toes for this but credit must as well go to the mixer as the bass is right up front but does not over power but just provides a beautiful texture to every tune used. ![]() Roberta has another ace up her sleeve as well because she can play quite a nice piano and she was sure lucky to have on her debut the great Ron Carter on bass who has done simply beautiful work within the album and given it one great solid backbone to stand on. One thing that always impressed me with Roberta Flack is the clarity of her voice with usually every word of every lyric coming through as clear as a bell even when she goes high, low or when she is extending words used within her songs, one can always hear every nuance from every lyric clearly with her stunning interpretations contained within this album. ![]() Roberta Flack recorded "First Take" being her debut back in 1969 with Jazz being the major component with a bit of Gospel and a touch of R&B included in the mix of songs chosen for the album but nobody bought it, that is until Clint Eastwood decided to include "The First Time Ever I saw You Face" in his current movie at the time in 1972 "Play Misty For Me" which made the album number 1 in 1972 with the single spending six weeks at number one and selling over a million copies gaining Gold Record status with the Grammy the following year in 1973. Les actually wrote the album notes and Les introduced Roberta Flack to Joel Dorn ( Producer) from Atlantic Records who with Les could see potential with a capital P as Roberta Flack has a distinct class that exudes with her vocal technique and style that only black American vocalists sing with Jazz, Gospel, R&B,Folk, Blues and Pop all being influences and repertoire. This one comes with Les McCann's recommendation as Les championed Roberta at the begining of her career back in the late sixties. ![]()
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