Heard Ranier Ferguson (album)

Heard Ranier Ferguson is a studio album by 1980's jazz trio Heard Ranier Ferguson, composed of bassist John Heard, pianist Tom Ranier and drummer Sherman Ferguson. All highly experienced musicians with a wealth of recordings behind them.

The album

The album was the third release for Californian record label ITI Records in 1983, then a fledgling label.^[1] It was Manufactured and marketed by Allegiance Records Ltd.^[2]

The album was what could be expected from a small jazz group such as Heard Ranier Ferguson. As an experienced trio they worked well together on it. Ranier's piano was the dominant sound with the presence of Heard's bass being felt.^[3] The material covered included classics from Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn etc.^[4]

Re-releases

The album first made it to compact disc in 1987 as Back To Back issued on Allegiance, expanded with three extra tracks that weren't on the original album. They were "Tricitism", "Tones for Joan's Bones" and "In Walked Bud" .^[5][6][7][8]

It was announced on the Jazz Monthly website in 2012 that their album along with others by Ruth Price, Tom Garvin, Bill Mays and Red Mitchell were to be re-released that year as the ITI Records back catalogue was being released through Warrant Music.^[9] It has been released again in May 2015.^[10]

Heard Ranier Ferguson

Track listing

A Side

1. "No More Blues" 6:48
2. "Isfahan" 4:19
3. "Prisms" 4:23
4. "Limehouse Blues" 7:22

B Side

1. "Corner Pocket" 5:52
2. "Anthropology" 2:28
3. "If I Should Lose You" 4:19
4. "Mother And Child" 7:54

Musicians

• Bass – John Heard
• Piano – Tom Ranier
• Synthesizer – Tom Ranier
• Reeds - Tom Ranier

Crew

• Executive Producer – Michael Dion
• Producer - A. James Liska
• Producer - Michael Dion
• Co-producer - Mike Grantham
• Engineer (Recording & Mixing) – Bernie Kirsch
• Mastering - Lanky Linstrot
• Art - John Heard

Companies

• Manufactured By – Allegiance
• Marketed By – Allegiance
• Mastered At – Alshire International
• Recorded At – Mad Hatter Studios
• Mixed At – Mad Hatter Studios

Back To Back

Track listing

1. "No More Blues"
2. "Isfahan"
3. "Prisims"
4. "Limehouse Blues"
5. "Tricitism"
6. "Tones for Joan's Bones"
7. "In Walked Bud"
8. "Corner Pocket"
9. "Anthropology"
10. "If I Should Lose You"
11. "Mother And Child"

Personnel

• Engineer, Mixing - Bernie Kirsch ...
• Art Direction - Suzanna Kotnik
• Producer - Mike Dion
• Mastering - Alshire Linstrot
• Remixing, Mastering - Michael Boshears
• Illustrations - John Heard ^[11]

Releases

Record LP

• Heard Ranier Ferguson - JL 003 (1983) ^[12]

Cassette

• * Heard Ranier Ferguson JC 003 (1983) ^[13]

Compact Disc

• Back To Back - Allegiance CDP 72973 (1987) ^[14][15]
• Back to Back (Re-Release) - ITI Records Cat # 201201 (August 21, 2012) ^[16][17]
• Back to Back (Re-Release) - ITI Records Cat 201201 (May 5, 2015) ^[18]

Reviews

• Review by Bob Karlovits of the Pittsburgh Express

References