Search - Art Blakey :: At the Cafe Bohemia 2

Inexhaustible, unrepeatable, untouchable.

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 10/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never realized it at the time, but the Blakey "At the Cafe Bohemia" sessions have proven to be one of those life-long companionships that simply never grow old. They become a part of you, playing themselves out in your memory every day but constantly challenging you to return to them for a reality check. Are they really that good?



Possibly even better. The albums I once thought I preferred--the "Moanin'" album, the Blakeys with Clifford or Lee Morgan at Birdland, the original Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers session--all sit proudly on my shelf, seminal sides that are practically iconic in their representation of a whole era and style of jazz. But they don't get played much.



The Bohemia sessions, on the other hand, remain eternally hip because they never try to be. The genial hosting of Blakey ("Take your shoes off, folks, and make yourself comfortable. We're about to have a little cookin' session for Blue Note"); the ceaselessly fertile melodic imagination of Mobley, immediately responsive to each of Blakey's rhythmic cues and set-ups; the unadorned sound and pure substance of Kenny Dorham's trumpet with its disdain for anything played for flash or show (Blakey even bringing down his dynamics to accommodate his "uncrowned trumpet king") ; the superior strengths of Silver as a "side man" rather than an overly directive composer-leader forcing the groove; the time and sound of Watkins' bass, so integral with the ensemble as to be no more noticeable yet no less critical than your own heartbeat--it all adds up to a moment in time I'd even trade for the one I spent in Birdland one night when Coltrane was playing opposite the quartet of Terry Gibbs and Alice McCleod. Even the prospect of catching Bird or Lady Day live doesn't excite me as much as the opportunity to hear Hank Mobley playing alongside Kenny Dorham or Miles Davis. (Actually, I once did catch Hank live, but it was far too late.)



If this one goes out of print, we're in deep trouble."

The REST of the Bohemia date

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 03/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Volume 2 of the Messengers at the Cafe Bohemia on Nov. 23, 1955. It's just a tad below Volume 1 in quality, but there are plenty of things here to admire and enjoy. "Hank's symphony" is an up-tempo swinger written by Mobley, and "Sportin' crowd" is another Mobley tune, a blues that really cooks. "I waited for you" drags just a bit, but this is an important Blakey CD set (Volume 1 & 2) in the Messengers discography."

Super jazz!!

Billie Jean | Greece | 10/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was absolutely thrilled with the music, it is superb, very easy listening, takes you away, makes you dream!!"