Search - Red Garland :: Soul Burnin

A Thoroughly Enjoyable Listening Experience

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 03/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These selections are not previously released and are taken from three separate recording sessions, two of which were the last by Red on the Prestige label. The first two cuts, "On Green Dolphin Street" and Tad Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now", are quintet efforts featuring trumpeter Richard Williams and saxist Oliver Nelson on tenor on the former and alto on the latter. One can really sense an influence of John Coltrane on his playing. Any further resembance to the Miles Davis Quintets is dispelled by Williams who uses a cup mute on the first selection and plays a well constructed open horn solo on the second. I found the number of quotes inserted by Garland very interesting (Parker's "Ornithology", "Love In Bloom" and "Oh, You Beautiful Doll"). Even Williams got into it with a few notes taken from Glenn Miller's "American Patrol". The second selection provides an excellent example of Garland's locked hand chord technique. Both selections demonstrate some terrific drumming by Charlie Persip.



The remaining four selections are trio numbers, one uptempo blues and three numbers associated with big bands Duke Ellington, Jimmy Lunceford and Count Basie. There are some more quotes by Red ("Old Buttermilk Sky", "I Dream Of Jeannie" and "Laura") while trading fours with Arthur Taylor on "Rocks In My Bed". Some notable bass work by Sam Jones also occurs on this number. The closer is readily attributable to Basie even though Red does not imitate his style completely (Basie was very sparing in his notes) but the association really becomes complete when you listen to Red's comping behind the Doug Watkins bass solo.



This is really great small group straight ahead jazz that will be a valued addition to anyone's collection."

Might be one of Red's best

FILIP HADZI-STEFANOV | Port Washington, NY United States | 09/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Go figure another excelent release in 1960 from the Prestige label. Busy body OLIVER NELSON (tenor sax), who recorded like crazy in 1960, joins Red Garland's trio on the first two tracks with his collegue RICHARD WILLIAMS on the trumpet. Red garland has many fine releses on the Prestige label, and he recorded with raw talents such as john Coltrane, Eddie "lockjaw" Davis, and Coleman Hawkins. I have heard them all, but for some reason this record sticks out above the others. You can feel the superior arranging talents of Oliver Nelson on the first 2 tracks, but in general the trio seems pumped throughout the whole album. Richard Williams (who has become my favorite trumpet player), really does some fine work here, especially on track 2 where he seems to have the floor. Availability seems to be scarce on this album, but if you do see it, make the effort to buy it. I first saw it at my local town library in the jazz section and I burned it. When I heard how good it was I did some searching and found it on the net in no time...I play it loud where ever i go."