Search - Hank Mobley :: Workout

Underrated Hank Mobley plays wonderful melody

rash67 | USA | 03/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hank Mobley spent so much of his life in the shadow of John Coltrane, who certainly blew more notes...



Mobley and Miles Davis should have been soul-mates, prior to '64, Davis often played solos close to the melodic line (see his solo on Round Midnight). John Coltrane thought so, he recommended Mobley to Davis as his replacement. Mobley has a wonderful lyric sound to his sax, despite the indifference of Miles Davis and much of the hardbop world to his work during his life. Thoughtful Mobley played complex music, occationally just behind the beat (like Billie Holliday).



His sunny rendition of "The Best Things in Life are Free" is so happy, it will bring tears of joy to your eyes. Despite being close to the melodic line, it's a classic. "Three Coins" is another lyric classic. "Uh-huh" and "Smokin'" have strong blues influences. The rushed title track is probably my least favorite song on here, which is unusual.



for Miles and Mobley, hear "Someday my Prince will Come" & "Live at the Blackhawk", etc.



In my estimation the three best Hank Mobley Albums, (other than his Miles Davis stuff), are "Soul Station", this album & "Another Workout". After the early 1960's, much of Mobley's albums had too much trumpet, overpowering his solos. In subsequent albums, Mobley was pushed to change his relaxed, thoughtful, lyrical style to try to be more like Coltrane (and less like Mobley). That and a bunch of boogaloo, esp with Lee Morgan. It is the Mobley in this period and earlier albums which I think was what he was really all about. He was around for another 20 plus years, but a shadow of his former self.



With music, if the first note doesn't sound good, it doesn't matter how many follow...and Hank Mobley knew how to play notes that sounded good!"

Time To "Workout" Again

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 02/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recently out-of-print (though still easily found), it is great to have Hank Mobley's "Workout" available once again via this RVG Edition. This classic Blue Note session from March 26, 1961 features the tenor saxman and guitarist Grant Green joining the formidable rhythm trio of Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. (Mobley would bring the same group back in the studio that December, sans Green, to make "Another Workout" -- now there's a CD that needs to be reissued!) The playing is smooth and straight-ahead, powered by great solos and great compositions. Surprisingly, my favorite tune has always been the mid-tempo romantic ballad, "Three Coins in a Fountain," left off the original vinyl but added as a bonus track to this and previous CD versions. In all, there's nothing like a good "Workout" with Hank Mobley to get the blood flowing and the feet tapping!"

Uh Huh

Jack Baker | LeRoy,IL | 02/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hank Mobley, the middleweight champ of the tenor sax, delivers another solid groovefest, joined here by drummer Philly Joe Jones, bassist Paul Chambers, pianist Wynton Kelly, and guitarist Grant Green. Green's presence in particular adds somewhat of a bluesy feel to these sessions. His interplay with Mobs on "Uh Huh" is spectacular. The rhythm section is top notch, swinging with aplomb, and Philly Joe is at his best here. Wynton Kelly plays his usual tasteful lines. But highest praise must go to the leader, whose tone and lyrical intelligence are unparalleled. No one makes each note count as much as Hank Mobley does. There's never anything superfluous about his playing, never a wasted phrase. And I don't think any jazz artist picked more evocative song titles than Mobley. "Workout", "Uh Huh", "Smokin", and "Greasin' Easy" all live up to their billing. I've always enjoyed Mobley's own compositions over his interpretations, but the playing on "Three Coins in the Fountain" and "The Best Things in Life Are Free" is eloquent. This album represents Hank Mobley at his peak, joined by a fine cast of musicians. The groove on this album is so deep it's a rut."