Search - Tina Brooks :: Waiting Game

Don't wait to play this game

Donnie | Boston | 03/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though not a household name like Coltrane, Shorter or Rollins, Harold "Tina" Brooks was definitely one of the more interesting sax players of his time. Opting for long lines of melody instead of peddling out 32nd notes at light speed, Brooks, in a career cut tragically short, cut some of the best sides for Blue Note. Combining the breathy tone of Dexter Gordon with the sophisticated grace of Ben Webster, "The Waiting Game" is one of those undiscovered treasures just waiting to be unearthed. This is some fine 60's hard bop. Although there are no real standout tracks (everything is great), Brooks is especially expressive on the title track that closes the record. Another reason to pick up this cd release is the fact that Philly Joe Jones (my favorite bop drummer) was behind the kit for this recording. The Connoisseur edition of this cd comes with wonderful liner notes that shed light on who Tina Brooks was as well as career highlights. Pick this one up."

Better late than never!

jazzfanmn | St Cloud, MN United States | 01/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unreleased in '61 when this session was recorded "The Waiting Game" was worth the wait. Joining Brooks' tenor for the are Kenny Drew on piano, Philly Joe Jone on drums, Wilbure Ware on bass, and the underrated Johnny Coles on trumpet. In the tradition of the most inspired Blue Note sessions this disc swings throughout! Jones/Drew/Ware form a rock solid base and back spirited solos by Brooks and Coles, as well as for Drew's funky hard bop piano. This is a great session by one of Jazz's potential greats. Brooks came and left too quickly to have any great lasting effect, but this disc along with his work with Kenny Burrell, Jimmy Smith, and his own sessions give us a glimpse at what might have been."

Great Swingin' Album!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christoher Covais | NY | 05/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I do not know why Alfred Lion did not release this album when it was recorded, and other albums like Back To The Tracks and Minor Move. Oh wait, yeah I do, (because of low sales of Tina's first album, True Blue) but than, I don't know why sales were so low for that. It was a great album. Tina really had it bad. As a kid, he was beaten up, and than later died at an early age. Plus, practically all his albums for Blue Note were not issued! anyway, back to this album. The first track's got a nice melody. It's shuffle rythm swings, just like Art Blakey's Moanin' in my opinion. Also, in my opinion, this album isn't breaken up into songs, just different grooves. All the songs have the same level of greatness, so I like to think of this album as one complete thought. This album's got a lot of underrated players like Brooks, Coles, and Drew, but some allstars like Wilbur Ware, and the GREATEST DRUMMER OF ALL TIME, PHILLY JOE JONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"