Search - Grant Green :: Grantstand

Forgotten Classic

William Scalzo | Niagara Falls, NY | 05/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This wonderful recording certainly gets no respect, sitting here with one review and languishing in cut-out bins at ridiculously low prices. Heck, it doesn't even make the top 10 Amazon searches for Grant Green!The reviewer from the U.K. said practically all there is to say, all I would add is that for jazz lovers this is a terrific companion to Kenny Burrell's much more respected Midnight Blue. Top-notch Blue Note guiter-led sessions with a smoky, soulful, bluesy vibe. For non-jazz lovers looking to pick up some atmospheric late-night guitar jazz, here it is and cheap too!Green's take on the standard "My Funny Valentine" is my favorite instrumental version ever (Chet Baker's is my favorite vocal) with Yusef Lateef's sublime flute work and admirable restraint from all players over it's extended nine minutes.Also, I find the previously unreleased "Green's Greenery" to be the catchiest number on the whole thing, a great addition to the reissue. Such is the quality of this session that such a winning piece was left off the original.All in all this is a great reissue at a great price. Mine sits proudly next to Midnight Blue on the jazz shelf."

If Green's permitted only one five-star album, make this one

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 07/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Green is in characteristically good form, and it's a kick to hear Lateef playing straightahead and without resorting to his exotic paraphernalia kit (not even on his dates with Cannonball does he play with more soul--his simple, carefully developed solo on "Blues in Maude's Flat" with its allusion to "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" worthy of transcription by any young tenor player). Harewood is an underrated, swinging drummer, supplying even more fire than Elvin does on his dates with Grant Green. McDuff will clinch the deal for some. He certainly ensures a grooving, cooking session (though like so many B3 players, his chords and right-hand licks can become familiar in a hurry, making him the least interesting of the three soloists). And the session, above all, captures Green's full, rich sound (dig his allusion to Diz' "Round Midnight" coda at the conclusion of "Valentine").



If Burrell's "Midnight Blue" is 5 stars, "Grantstand" is 5 and 1/2. Besides this one, Green's acclaimed "Idle Moments" is a must-have--if for the title cut alone. But, surprisingly, Green's "I Want to Hold Your Hand" is the Blue Note session I return to most frequently (out of the four in my collection). Larry Young is as light on the behemoth as Tommy Flanagan on a Steinway; Elvin plays tight and right without any danger of overheating; Mobley is typically perfect on each of his turns. At the very least, any group capable of making that stupid Beatles tune worth repeated listens deserves some sort of medal."

Another Goodun'

Ben Fernandez | Boston, MA | 10/27/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Grant Green playing with Jack McDuff. If you are familiar with either of them, you can pretty much guess what this is going to sound like. If you are a Grant Green fan, this is another good album to get. My Funny Valentine is absolutely beautiful."