Saturday, June 8, 2013

Lee Morgan - The Complete Blue Note Lee Morgan Fifties Sessions (1956-58) [4CD BoxSet] {1995 Mosaic Remaster}




This incredible 4-CD boxed set from Mosaic chronicles trumpeter Lee Morgan's complete sessions as a leader in the 1950's for Blue Note. Through the set, one can hear the progression from a Clifford Brown influenced player (although the unmistakable Morgan touch is there) to a fiery, highly inventive soloist that would catapult him to superstardom later on. Morgan is surrounded by all star players that include: Hank Mobley, Arthur Taylor, Philly Joe Jones, Horace Silver etc. and they inspire Lee to perform at a very high level. Highlights include a August 25, 1957 date featuring George Coleman, Curtis Fuller and Art Taylor. As well as a 9/29/57 date (recorded two weeks after John Coltrane's historic Blue Train album) featuring Pepper Adams, Bobby Timmons, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones.

The session produced the album "The Cooker", and it featured a memorable 12/8 take of "Night In Tunisia". The set has very high quality, clean sound, and beautiful packaging, and a lavish booklet typical of Mosaic. This has very high collectors value as it is only printed to 5,000 copies worldwide. I would suggest trying to order any remaining copies left. Once this goes out of print, this great music may never be available again, but this is a great find!!

Lee Morgan recorded for Blue Note in the late '50s, playing seven dates between 1956 and 1958. Morgan was still in his teens at the time and half of the joy of The Complete Blue Note Lee Morgan Fifties Sessions is hearing the trumpeter develop at a rapid rate. The four-disc box set The Complete Blue Note encompasses sessions with Horace Silver, Paul Chambers, Benny Golson, Wynton Kelly, Sonny Clarke, Doug Watkins, and Art Taylor. Morgan may have been young at the time these were recorded, but he was impressive even at the beginning, playing blistering hard bop and lyrical ballads with equal ease. He may have gone on to record greater, more influential albums but this music remains exciting, vital, and simply joyous.


Personnel:

Lee Morgan - Trumpet, Ray Bryant - Piano, Paul Chambers - Bass, Sonny Clark - Piano, George Coleman - Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Curtis Fuller - Trombone, Benny Golson - Arranger, Sax (Tenor), Gigi Gryce - Flute, Sax (Alto), Philly Joe Jones - Drums,Wynton Kelly - Piano, Hank Mobley - Sax (Tenor), Charlie Persip - Drums, Kenny Rodgers - Sax (Alto), Clarence Sharpe - Sax (Alto), Horace Silver - Piano, Art Taylor - Drums, Bobby Timmons - Piano, Wilbur Ware - Bass.

Track Listings:

CD1:
01. Gaza Strip 3:57
02. Reggie of Chester 4:55
03. Little T 8:24
04. Little T [alternate Take] 8:10
05. Stand By 5:51
06. Roccus 8:18
07. The Lady 6:47
08. Latin Hangover 6:45
09. Whisper Not 7:21
10. His Sister 6:30

CD2:
01. D's Fink 7:44
02. Slightly Hep 6:28
03. Where Am I? 5:50
04. Hasaan's Dream 8:44
05. I Remember Clifford 7:09
06. Mesabi Chant 6:11
07. Tip-Toeing [alternate Take] 6:42
08. Tip-Toeing [alternate Take] 6:43
09. Domingo 9:19

CD3:
01. Just by Myself 9:26
02. City Lights 5:46
03. You're Mine You 6:03
04. Temp de Waltz 6:24
05. Kin Folks 9:45
06. Just One of Those Things [alternate Take] 7:52
07. Just One of Those Things 7:17
08. Heavy Dipper 7:06

CD4:
01. A Night in Tunisia 9:24
02. Lover Man 6:52
03. New-Ma 8:16
04. Since I Fell for You 5:36
05. Personality 6:15
06. All at Once, You Love Her 5:29
07. Who Do You Love, I Hope 4:59
08. Candy 7:04
09. C. T. A. 5:06
10. All the Way 7:22

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Clifford Brown and Max Roach - At Basin Street



Personnel:
  • Clifford Brown - Trumpet 
  • Sonny Rollins - Tenor Sax 
  • Richie Powell - Piano 
  • George Morrow - Bass 
  • Max Roach - Drums 
Track Listings:
  1. What Is This Thing Called Love 7:33
  2. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing 4:46
  3. I'll Remember April 9:15
  4. Step Lightly (Junior's Arrival) 3:33
  5. Powell's Prances 3:29
  6. Time 5:06
  7. The Scene Is Clean 6:06
  8. Gertrude's Bounce 4:10
  9. Flossie Lou 3:56
  10. What Is This Thing Called Love 8:24
  11. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing 3:48
  12. I'll Remember April 9:38
  13. Flossie Lou 4:01

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com

The Clifford Brown-Max Roach quintet was already one of the best in modern jazz, but when they added Sonny Rollins to the fray in late 1955, it became a lineup for the ages.Basin Street, recorded in early 1956, marks the studio debut of Rollins with the band, and the result is a supercharged highlight of the postbop era. The three furiously paced standards that kick off the set feature superb blowing and crafty arrangements that offer spontaneous intros and rhythmic shifts. Of special note are the contributions of pianist Richie Powell, Bud's younger brother, who not only adds three excellent compositions (the intricate "Powell's Prances," the poignant "Time," and the irresistibly catchy "Gertrude's Bounce"), but also proves himself to be a standout soloist and accompanist. Of course, Brown's bright tone and remarkably fluid ideas are in full bloom as well. Sadly, the quintet would record only once more (Plus 4, issued under Rollins's name) before the June 1956 accident that claimed the lives of Brown and Powell. --Marc Greilsamer

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