Search - Sonny Clark :: Dial S for Sonny

"Dial 'S' For Sonny" Gets Re-Dialed

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 03/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Pianist Sonny Clark's "Dial 'S' For Sonny" was first issued on CD in 1997 as part of Blue Note's limited edition Connoisseur Series, but went out-of-print shortly after its initial release. Now with this reissue in the RVG Edition, it makes a permanent return to the catalog. This 1957 session features a sextet lineup of Art Farmer on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Hank Mobley on tenor sax, Wilbur Ware on bass and Louis Hayes on drums tackling four Clark originals (with one alternate take) and two standards. This is very solid hard bop session that falls just short of Sonny's best Blue Notes, "Leapin' and Lopin'" and "Sonny's Crib," in my opinion. In any event, fans of the pianist who missed this title the first time around, will be delighted that "Dial 'S' For Sonny" has been re-dialed."

Dial "S" for Sonny, but be forewarned that it's a party line

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 06/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With the exception of "Love Walked In," which features piano all the way, Clark generously shares equal solo time with Mobley, Farmer, and Fuller on the other six tunes. Still, he has enough space to make the most of what was his Blue Note debut, playing with greater fluency and technical aplomb than on the more celebrated "Cool Struttin'." In fact, based on the evidence of this recording, a listener might wonder if Clark was destined to be the next Bud Powell.



But unlike Bud, Sonny is clearly more of a "session player," contributing five of the seven tunes, each of them the kind musicians love to blow on. And unlike, say, a Horace Silver, Sonny seems happy to remain in the background, showcasing his inventive soloists. Mobley is in his prime (another reason I'd pick this one ahead of "Cool Struttin'"), his warm, musky sound never captured better. Farmer is brassier and more emotional than I've ever heard him. Fuller is crisp and incisive, though I could have done with one less soloist in favor of extended choruses by the other musicians. (Clark's single-note, horn-like approach to his own solos is another reason to go with a leaner ensemble, if only to reduce the duplication of textures).



The youthful Louis Hayes plays like a veteran, even at this early stage which pre-dates his tours of duty with the Adderley brothers and Oscar Peterson. Wilbur Ware supports the legendary status he had attained as a musician's musician, a bass player who could be counted on to make any session swing (though I haven't decided whether his penchant for repeating the same note is effective tension and release or harmonic insecurity). All in all, an impressive introduction to Sonny Clark as a leader, composer, and player."

Very solid set

Anthony Cooper | Louisville, KY United States | 12/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sonny Clark sat down with a group of fairly familiar names to play a set of mostly originals and two standards. Art Farmer on trumpet, Hank Mobley on sax, and Curis Fuller on trombone play and solo solidly throughout. Bassist Wilbur Ware and drummer Louis Hayes meet the shifting moods of the songs.



The title track at the opening sounds a bit like a Horace Silver song, and starts the album off on the good foot. "Bootin It" has a catchy theme and especially inspired soloing from Sonny Clark and the horns. The standard "It Could Happen To You" is done nicely, though it doesn't stand out. "Sonny's Mood" is another uptempo catchy theme with good soloing. "Shoutin' On A Riff" is yet faster, and has more great playing. "Love Walked In" is a Gershwin song done as a trio, and brings things gently to a close.



There's nothing in this CD which sounds revolutionary or is mind-blowing, but it's simply a solid set with memorable songs and great playing. This CD or "Cool Struttin" are both good places to start or continue with Sonny Clark."