Search - Roy Eldridge :: After You've Gone

An excellent collection of exciting trumpet tunes

G. M. Jenkins | Mountain View, CA United States | 12/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection of mid-40s recordings of Roy Eldridge find him playing sizzling originals and standards with amazing grace and power. This collection is highly accessible and contains some of the most exciting and passionate trumpet playing of the era. Here Roy plays in both big and mid-size bands and really shines with a command reminiscent of Louis Armstrong. This is Roy in his element, leading his own sessions and doing so masterfully. There are other great solos, but the star here is Roy.
Some of the highlights for me include:
"After You've Gone" (both takes) where there are some intentional and humourous false starts which lead up to Roy's signature tune and one of my favorites. The first take is a little more raw, which i like.
"Star Dust" where Roy tackles a tride and true standard and makes it sing.
"Body And Soul" where Roy plays obviously in debt to Coleman Hawkins (who Roy greatly admired) and adds some amazing and powerful touches.
But seriously, the whole CD itself for me is a highlight. If you are really listening and grooving along to the music, watch out for track 6, which stops in the middle and could surprise you.
This CD reissue is well produced and features very informative liner notes by Dan Morgenstern
So, if you want to hear some truly exciting trumpet playing that will hit you in your soul, or you want to hear inspired readings of swing standards, or you just want to tap your feet, get this album and savor it."

NICE LATE FORTIES LITTLE JAZZ

Raymond Leach | AUSTIN, TEXAS United States | 07/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I admit that I like almost any recording by Roy Eldridge, but I like the period after the war, but before the fifties. You get the wild exhibitions, the low moaning sounds; in short you get almost all his styles with this recording. My personal favorites are "jump through the window", and the demo for a new record (that was not picked up) "Christopher Columbus". Music missing from this disc can be found on Chronological Classics 1945-1947". But I bought, because it has a lot music in the same place."