First Time Out (album)

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First Time Out
Studio album by
Clare Fischer
Released1962
RecordedApril 12 & 14, 1962
StudioPacific Jazz Studios, Hollywood
GenreJazz
LabelPacific Jazz
PJ 52
ProducerRichard Bock
Clare Fischer chronology
First Time Out
(1962) 		Bossa Nova Jazz Samba
(1962)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Atlanta Daily Worldfavorable[2]
Audiofavorable[3]
Down Beat[4]
Gramophone"superlative"[5]
Mademoisellefavorable[6]
Saturday Reviewfavorable[7]
External audio
audio icon You may listen to "Toddler" here

First Time Out is the debut album by American composer/arranger/keyboardist Clare Fischer,[a] recorded and released in 1962 by Pacific Jazz Records.[9]

Reception[edit]

Aside from the overwhelmingly positive response that greeted Fischer's debut, the most pervasive reaction was sheer surprise; indeed, Down Beat's 5-star review dubbed it "the biggest surprise of the year."[4] As jazz historian and critic Martin Williams observes, writing in The Saturday Review:

First Time Out is from a rather unexpected source: it is a recital by a piano trio, led by Clare Fischer, a man previously known for his arranging and composing. Fischer's piano is not 'interesting,' as an arranger's piano is apt to be. It is much more accomplished than that."[7]

While struggling to pinpoint Fischer's pianistic forebears, finding elements of both Bill Evans and Dodo Marmarosa, critic Leonard Feather echoes Williams' essential point, noting Fischer's "complete command of the keyboard; unlike Gil Evans, Tadd Dameron, and other arrangers who are secondarily pianists, he can be judged entirely by a pianistic yardstick."[10]

Gramophone's review praises "this superlative album," in part for preventing Fischer from "becoming one of the most neglected figures in jazz."[5] The Atlanta Daily World's Albert Anderson stops short of such hyperbole, but does acknowledge his own surprise:

I knew well before reviewing this record that Fischer was a composer of note. What I didn't know, though, was that he is such an outstanding pianist. However, after listening to these tracks (five of which are Fischer originals), I was tremendously impressed by his facility with a tune - He plays with mastery, melody and perhaps, too, with his audience in mind. The latter is suggested clearly in shifting moods and tempos; there is never a dull moment.[2]

Track listing[edit]

All compositions by Clare Fischer except where noted.

Side 1

  1. "Nigerian Walk" (Ed Shaughnessy) - 7:02
  2. "Toddler" - 4:40
  3. "Stranger" (Gary Peacock) - 4:00
  4. "Afterfact" - 4:06

Side 2

  1. "Free Too Long" - 7:30
  2. "Piece for Scotty" - 3:13
  3. "Blues for Home" - 5:09
  4. "I Love You" (Cole Porter) - 5:13

Personnel[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Fischer actually recorded an album prior to this, the previous year, while in Mexico with the Hi-Lo's, but it was not released until later, and with little fanfare even then.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Clare Fischer: First Time Out (Overview)". All Music. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  2. ^ a b Anderson, Albert. "Week in Records: Strictly Jazz". The Atlanta Daily World. October 23, 1962. Retrieved 2013-03-12 via Proquest.
  3. ^ Audio. Volume 47. 1963. page 68. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  4. ^ a b "First Time Out" cover image. 'CD and LP. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  5. ^ a b "1962 Review". Gramophone. Volume 41. 1962. Part 1 & Part 2 Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  6. ^ "1962 Review". Mademoiselle. Volume 56. 1962. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  7. ^ a b Williams, Martin. "Pianists With Fortes". The Saturday Review. Volume 46. January 26, 1963. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  8. ^ "'Charity Begins at the Tax Collector's". Downbeat. Volume 28. 1961. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  9. ^ "First Time Out" LOC online. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  10. ^ Leonard Feather's liner notes for Surging Ahead. livedoor Blog. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
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