Holy Grail of the Blue Note catalog
D. B. Hebbard | Chicago, IL United States | 05/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm really surprised that there is (at this time) only one other review of this special CD.Until its rerelease by Blue Note, and also as part of the 4LP box set on Mosaic, this was probably the most sought after "out of print" LP in the Blue Note catalog.Tina Brooks sound is unique: a bluesy, crying tone that is instantly recognizable. This release from 1960 contains top notch musicianship from a very young Freddie Hubbard, and the brilliant Duke Jordan, who is absolutely in tune with Brook's vision here. Sadly, although Brooks recorded four sessions for Blue Note, this was the only one released in his lifetime. After hearing this, you will want to pick up Jackie McLean's "Jackie's Bag" and Freddie Hubbard's "Open Sesame" -- both prominently feature Tina Brooks playing and compositions from around the same time as "True Blue"."
Scarce, but not all gold
Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 02/15/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This rare date by the understated, underrated, underappreciated tenor player whose main claim to fame is his inclusion on Jimmy Smith's "The Sermon" is a strong set. Its present status as a collector's item, however, owes as much to its out-of-print scarcity as its quality. Freddie Hubbard plays as masterfully here as on contemporaneous recordings under his own name, and Brooks is clearly inspired to play up to the level of his session mates. But none of the solos is particularly original or memorable, and the tunes are somewhat bland and predictable. "Good Old Soul" is yet another Van Gelder recording of tenor and trumpet performing an "original" sketch in a minor key. (I've heard too many Blue Note recordings like it.) "True Blue" is sort of a boogaloo, a true period piece. "Nothing Ever Changes My Love for You" is the album's most attractive, tuneful original, yet it's uncomfortably close to "The Night We Called It a Day" and is marred by an embarassing "cha cha cha" ending.Given these musicians, "True Blue" is not surprisingly a solid album, but I'm glad I located a Spanish company that's printing it and selling it at an everyday competitive price. Before shelling out extra pesos for this one, check out "Minor Move," which has the most varied and satisfying program of any Brooks release."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1