Search - Philly Joe Jones :: Blues for Dracula

The "Pied Piper's" Best Solo Effort

mondodave | Los Angeles, Ca. United States | 10/15/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Philly Joe was notorious as the pied piper of junk. He was also some kinda character, as Miles states in his autobiography -- "Philly woulda been president or the head of some corporation, had he not been born black." His irrepressible side shines on the title cut, as he riffs on his good buddy Lenny Bruce's "Dracula" schtick. Dig the subtext, as both knew all too well what the "children of the night" invariably were up to. Even though "Dracula" is more or less a gag tune, the pulsating blues underneath hints at the swinging energy to come. This is what hard bop was all about -- and the blowing on the whole album is comparable to most Blakey bands. The underrated Nat Adderly's burnished tone is the perfect foil for Johnny Griffin's cascades of notes, and Tommy Flanagan, as usual, has taste and swings. Though Philly's solo efforts are uneven, the planet's must've been aligned the day they laid this down. I only give it four stars, because I wish there was MORE MUSIC from this session."

Tune up!

Prabhu | Petaling Jaya, Selangor Malaysia | 06/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This date,which has a groovy cover and as easy as anyone can predict,beautiful music..Has a lenghty intro on bela lugosi's dracula speech,which is pretty funky and funny,but the music is not something you can laugh about,pretty straight head hard-bop/post-bop!,Jhonny Griffin provides great composition and masterfull playings,as well as Nat Alderlley not letting us down!,Tommy Flanagan walks the fine line between Hardbop and Bebop,while The man of the match Philly Joe Jones makes the drum talk wonders."

Philly joe hard hitter

Steven D. wheeler | LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK United States | 09/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"philly joe was a hard hitting drummer and this album such as show case demonstrates it had a great line up and lets not the forget the incomprable and often discounted well rounded bass player jimmy garrison who should have been given the same accolades as other bass players such as carter,brown and chambers"