Adventures in collecting "modern jazz": the classical music of America from the Fifties and Sixties, and a little Seventies, on original vinyl, on a budget, from England. And writing about it, since 2011. Travelling a little wider nowadays, and at lower cost
Time to give The Jazz Arrangers a break, get back to business with a red-blooded Blue Note vinyl collecting story, one for the vinyl-enthusiast who likes a bargain, and unlike Mr Golson and his pop-jazz disaster, has a happy ending. Just … Continue reading →
Selection: Swingin’ (Clifford Brown, from Study in Brown, Emarcy, 1955)) Artists: Tracks taken from three different studio sessions and a live recording, between 1956-59 Selection –  Swingin’: Tina Brooks (tenor sax) Bobby Timmons (piano) Kenny Burrell (guitar) Ben Tucker (bass) Art … Continue reading →
Artists: Freddie Hubbard (trumpet) Tina Brooks (tenor saxophone) Duke Jordan (piano) Sam Jones (bass) Art Taylor (drums) recorded Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, June 25, 1960 Holy Grail status: Another one that isn’t going to happen any time … Continue reading →
Head to Head: A while back I auditioned a modern audiophile pressing against an original vintage first pressing, and came up with some surprising answers, and stirred up a hornets nest in the process. I count controversy a success, so back into … Continue reading →
Selection: Birk’s Works (Gillespie) Artists Tina Brooks (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Kenny Burrell (g) Ben Tucker (b) Art Blakey (d) recorded live at the “Five Spot Cafe”, NYC, August 25, 1959 recorded by Rudy Van Gelder Year: 1959 December 12th – United … Continue reading →
Artists Side 1: Donald Byrd (trumpet) Jackie McLean (alto sax) Sonny Clark (piano) Paul Chambers (bass) Philly Joe Jones (drums) recorded Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, January 18, 1959 Side 1 selection: Blues Inn (Mclean) Side 2: Blue Mitchell … Continue reading →
Track Selection: Wigglin’ Artists Howard McGhee (tp) Tina Brooks (ts) Freddie Redd (p) Milt Hinton (b) Osie Johnson (d)recorded NYC, June 13, 1960 Music: Freddie Redd’s Music from The Connection stage play, the alternate score to the more famous Jackie … Continue reading →
Track Selection: Birks Works (Gillespie) Artists Tina Brooks (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Kenny Burrell (g) Ben Tucker (b) Art Blakey (d) recorded at “Five Spot Cafe”, NYC, 2nd set, August 25, 1959 Music: Tina Brooks!! Bobby Timmons, and “Kenny Burrell with … Continue reading →
Track Selection: Au Privave (Charlie Parker) 12 minute extract Artists “Au Privave” Lee Morgan (tp) Lou Donaldson (as) Tina Brooks (ts) Jimmy Smith (org) Kenny Burrell (g) Art Blakey (d)Â Â recorded Manhattan Towers, NYC, August 25, 1957 “Just Friends”, “Blues after … Continue reading →
Track Selection: “Street Singer” Tina Brooks with Jackie McLean > Artists (Street Singer): Tina Brooks (ts) Jackie McLean (as) Blue Mitchell (t) Kenny Drew (p) Paul Chambers (b) Art Taylor (d) recorded Sepember 1st, 1960 Music According to an online seller the … Continue reading →
Something new, a competition, and you get to decide which version you prefer! The stage is set for Freddie Redd’s Music from “The Connection”, the track, the poignant “Theme for Sister Salvation”
First contender the original New York cast soundtrack on Blue Note, with Jackie McClean (click the arrow below to hear audio player, click on bars to adust volume)
Next up we have the official understudy to Jackie in “The Connection” stage play, Tina Brooks, in the alternative recording on Felsted Records (Close the flash audio player above by clicking the double-bar on its right, or it will play on top of the next audio sample)
Due to contractual problems Freddie Redd – the composer – performs under the pseudonym “I Ching”, Howard McGhee lead on trumpet, and Tina Brooks takes the honours on saxophone in place of Jackie McClean. Everyone knows the Blue Note 4027 from 1960. very few know the ultra rare Felsted alternative. Despite its poorer audio quality, the Felsted version showcases the extraordinary emotional drive of Tina Brooks, and Freddie’s triumphant piano solo, which clutches at the heartstrings as it strains at holding the key
Collectors Corner You probably have a list of records which you would most dearly like to own an original of, the best possible copy. Mine is a half dozen titles long, and whenever I see one come up on eBay, it … Continue reading →