Search - Art Blakey :: Three Blind Mice 1

Philip S. from NORWICH, VT
Reviewed on 8/26/2006...

Blakey at his hottest. Hubbard on trumpet, Curtis Fuller trombone, Shorter on tenor, Cedar Walton piano, and Jymie Merritt bass. Live at the Renaissance Club, Hollywood, 1962.

Simply Terrific

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 07/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Three Blind Mice Volume 1" (and 2 for that matter) were originally live recordings made for the United Artists label. They were made in March '62 on the heels of the magnificent Blue Notes "Mosaic" and "Buhaina's Delight," and with the same personnel. If you love those two albums mentioned above, then this is more of the same cup of tea. Some of the music we've heard before -- "Plexis" was on Freddie Hubbard's "Hub Cap" and "Children of the Night" was on "Mosaic" -- but this band could breath fresh life into anything. Speaking of which, only the Jazz Messengers could make "Three Blind Mice" swing and at the same time make it into a creative arrangement for a three horn frontline. Great stuff from a great time."

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers-On Fire At The Rennaissan

Brian D. Fitzpatrick | Medford, MA | 06/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers

[Personnel]:

Freddie Hubbard-trumpet

Wayne Shorter-tenor

Curtis Fuller-Trombone

Cedar Walton-piano

Jymie Merritt-bass

Art Blakey-drums



|Vol.1|

{Tune List}:*{This is the tune list for both Vol.1 and Vol.II}

'Three Blind Mice'(trad.)|Arranged by Curtis Fuller|

'Blue Moon'(Rogers/Hart) |Arranged by Wayne Shorter|

'That Old Feeling'(Sammy Fain/Lew Brown)

'When The Lights Are Low'(Benny Carter)

'Children Of The Night'(Wayne Shorter)|Arranged by Wayne Shorter



Vol.11 #|Tracks #4/#5 were recorded at the Village Gate in NYC in 1961

'It's Only A Paper Moon'(B.Rose/E.Y.Hubert/H.Arlen)|Arranged by Lee Morgan|

'Mosaic'(Roger/Hart)|Arranged by Wayne Shorter|

'Ping Pong'(Wayne Shorter)|Arranged by Wayne Shorter

'Promised Land'(Cedar Walton)|Arranged by Cedar Walton|

'Arabia'(Cedar Walton)|Arranged by Cedar Walton|



{Arthur 'Art' Blakey(October 11 1919-1990)}











Over a period of three decades Art Blakey provided a virtual institution for young and talented musicians coming up the ranks.The Jazz Messengers were formed when Art Blakey and his 'kindred spirit' Horace Silver formed a band in 1953.By 1956 Silver left to form his own unit and the leadership of this important band passed to Blakey.From 1961 the group featured Wayne Shorter(tenor sax),Lee Morgan(trumpet),Bobby Timmons(piano),Jymie Merritt(bass),and Art Blakey(drums).In 1962 Curtis Fuller (trombone)was added as a third horn on the front line,and Freddie Hubbard(trumpet)replaced Lee Morgan(trumpet,and Cedar Walton(piano)replaced Bobby Timmons(piano).

This live recording at the Rennaissance is one of the best this group ever performed.Everyone contributes some compositions and arrangements for the occasion,and also really get a chance to stretch out and strut their stuff.These are exceptional recordings,and the bands tight arrangements and consistently superb soloing throughout make this a joy to listen to.It doesn't get much better than this.I wanted to include credits for both volumes in one review,and I hope that is not confusing."