Search - Gene Ammons :: Groove Blues

In the Groove

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 02/27/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"January 3, 1958, was a productive day in Gene's recording career, where on he recorded enough material for two complete Prestige albums (see also "The Big Sound"). This blowing session features Gene's big tenor along with John Coltrane (on alto sax, rather unusual), Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Paul Quinichette's Lestorian sound on tenor, Jerome Richardson on flute, and a rhythm section of Mal Waldron, George Joyner, and Art Taylor. The title track is a medium blues done just right, and everyone swings for the seats on "Jug handle." A nice date that won't let you down."

1958 rec. and it's HOT!!..again....

Kevin Hennessey | TheTop Right Hand Corner of the US Map! | 12/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...there's no review of this one either?Where are all the civilized, jazzological Hi-fi'd on air DJ's anymore?

This piece has Coltrane on alto- 3 tunes...he only played an alto on 3 other dates.Ey? Mal Waldron here is TOPS!! Papper Adams!1958! UNbelievable!!Get all the stuff you can find from that ere involving VanGelder and what he was putting out then.

Easy to hear Nick Brignola in Pepper on this jam!! 'Ammon Joy' is TOPS!!"

Swing heaven !

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 11/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think there are two types of tenor fans... Those who've barely heard of Gene Ammons (way too young to remember his heyday) and those who have and know that he was the quintessential warm, bluesy, swinging big tone tenor of the '50s and '60s (and Sonny Sitt's right hand man.)



This session has a somewhat laid back "after hours" jam session feel, and actually resulted in not one but two albums, the other being, THE BIG SOUND.



Sadly, if my math is correct it was recorded just prior to getting busted on a narcotics rap... so it wouldn't be another 2 years before he was back on the scene... How frustrating it must have been to his fans of that era, because this album definitely leaves you wanting more... and no doubt he gave it: BOSS TENOR was just around the bend.



As for the ensemble:

Personnel: Gene Ammons (tenor saxophone); John Coltrane (alto saxophone); Paul Quinichette (tenor saxophone); Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone); Jerome Richardson (flute); Mal Waldron (piano); George Joyner (bass); Art Taylor (drums).



Though Richardson's sweet and groovy flute solos pretty much are *the* icing on the cake for me, it is fascinating to hear a young, heavily Charlie Parker influenced John Coltrane blowing (for a second I thought it was Stitt!) - - Mal Waldron also takes some really thoughtful and engaging solos. - - Ballad lovers, get ready to be taken to third heaven when the ensemble gets into the classic Standard IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING... one of the classiest versions I've ever heard... master brush work by Art Taylor...!



Though the horn arangements at times are quite interesting because of the baritone/tenor/alto/flute mix... not sure this is always good or bad -- regardless, the rhythm section is really swinging and in the pocket... as a result even though you don't get to hear non-stop Ammons ("the all stars" all getting their time), when you do (or whoever you hear) its really upfront...





All in all, to all Ammons fans, I urge you this: Buy as many copies of this (and other Ammons sessions), and get it in the hands of all those young players who haven't heard any of the players that came before Shorter and Coltrane and school them URGENTLY... because what the world needs today is AMMONS !"