Search - Gene Ammons :: Stranger in Town

Invite this stranger in

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 04/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A rather late CD re-release in the Prestige run of numerous albums by Gene Ammons, this one sort of ties up some loose ends, releasing tracks from 3 different LPs (Velvet Soul, Sock!, and Night Lights). Results are mixed and range from the superb (LIGHT'N UP, THEY SAY YOU'RE LAUGHING AT ME) to the downright schlocky (COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, CARA MIA). Gene Ammons was a kick-[...] tenor player who could also deliver a gorgeous ballad: A STRANGER IN TOWN, played very slowly (and with the verse) is Gene's ballad playing par excellence. He was also a marvelous blues player; the medium-slow LIGHT'N UP finds Gene in a down-home, lyrical mood (same with SHORT STOP, though the tempo is a bit brighter). SALOME'S TUNE has an exotic feel to it, and CALYPSO BLUES IS JUST THAT, with a searching Wynton Kelly piano solo to boot. THE SONG IS YOU is a big-band track that contains a gutsy Ammons solo and an Oliver Nelson alto solo to match. Ammons for all his personal problems was a consistent performer who aired out his soul every time he blew a note. Not up there with the very best of his albums, this CD still offers terrific music by a jazz tenor master."