Black Velvet is an album by American jazz guitarist O'Donel Levy recorded in 1971 and released on the Groove Merchant label.Jazzlists: O'Donel Levy Discography, accessed March 26, 2018Jazzlists: Groove Merchant Records 500 Series, accessed March 26, 2018Jazzlists: Album details, accessed March 26, 2018
Reception
Allmusic's Jason Ankeny said: "Black Velvet boasts a smooth, rich texture absent from O'Donel Levy's subsequent Groove Merchant sessions – its mellow, stoned-soul sensibilities nevertheless complement the guitarist perfectly, affording him the space to weave a series of righteously beautiful solos ...the arrangements are lovely ... Levy also proves himself a composer of some distinction, contributing a pair of charming originals".
Track listing All compositions by O'Donel Levy except where noted "Watch What Happens" (Michel Legrand, Jacques Demy, Norman Gimbel) – 3:33 "Granny" – 4:24 "I'll Close My Eyes" (Billy Reid) – 5:05 "Nature's Child" – 3:48 "Love Story" (Francis Lai, Carl Sigman) – 2:09 "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" (Thom Bell, William Hart) – 3:06 "I'll Be There" (Berry Gordy, Bob West, Willie Hutch, Hal Davis) – 4:12 "Misty" (Erroll Garner) – 4:26 "Call Me" (Tony Hatch) – 4:03 "You've Made Me So Very Happy" (Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Frank Wilson, Berry Gordy) – 4:24
Personnel O'Donel Levy – guitar Billy Skinner – trumpet Arthur 'Fats' Theus – tenor saxophone, flute Charles Covington – electric piano, organ Alarza Lee Collins – bass Chester Thompson – drums Nathaniel Rice Jr. − congas William Thorpe – percussion
References