Call it a swinging cocktail Jazz if you want... but...
Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 12/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Though Red Garland's probably best known to most Jazz listener's through his recordings with Miles Davis and John Coltrane, this represents a very different side of him... one that straight ahead Jazz efficianados (the Bill Evans/McCoy Tyner fanatics) might note like as much, but people who like it tastey, rhythmic and toe tapping can really dig. Under the speall of a certain other player known for his block chords and octave style (only at times a bit "smoother" and more technical on the flashy runs and single note lines), this shows a rather relaxed trio seeming almost unaware that they're being recorded and a relaxed Harlem audience attentitively enjoying the swing. Featuring Jimmy Rowser on bass and Charles "Specs" Wright on drums it was recorded on October 2 (my Birthday) of 1959 (12 years before I was born, as if that matters.) - - The choice of tunes are pretty much recognizable standards, 135 minutes of them, and the group takes risks... In fact there are even multiple takes and mistakes here and there, but you can really feel you're in the audience and the mix of rhythmic drive yet "relaxedness" really comes through on every tune. (Jimmy Rowser's solid yet melodic walk is so perfect its easy to take for granted, but trust me... its bass playing at its rarestly finest!)
All in all, I read somewhere that at the time there were critics calling RED a glorified cocktail combo player - - definitely not far out like other of his contemporaries, nor technically as over the top as Peterson and Tatum... but the catch is that his playing is really engaging... the mix of space, swing, melody and punchy accents are something you really don't get to hear any more... so if you wanna call it "cocktail" Jazz, I say call it what you want... Its swinging, rhythmic, hip and effortlessly flowing... Genius is genius ! ! !"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1