Verve
1964
At The Bohemian Caverns In Washington D.C.
About This Album
Astoundingly, Ramsey Lewis released a total of six albums in 1964 alone, which brought his total as a bandleader to 14 in eight years on the scene -- 15 if you include an early best-of. While it was not uncommon for a musician to release more than one album a year in those heady days, six was ambitious by anybody's standards. Live at the Bohemia Caverns (in Washington D.C.) was Lewis' second live date, and one that provided a blueprint for the later live dates that would put him near the top of the pop charts a year later with The In Crowd. The material on this set was very ambitious. Along with bassist Eldee Young and drummer Redd Holt, Lewis began the show with a long medley from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, comprising the tunes "Somewhere" (which bookends it), "Maria," and "Jet Song." It is a dramatic way to start an evening -- especially since the texture of the first tune in the medley features Young switching to arco playing on his double bass. But it's a charmer. You can tell an audience is in the building, but they are quiet and understandably moved. Lewis' discipline and classical training are on display here in spades and he is way up to the challenge, especially as he improvises on the changes before Holt kicks it with his cowbell on "Maria," introducing a full-blown, tough soul-jazz workout before it closes.
Track List (try tracks 2,3,4,5 and 6)

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