Search - Willis Jackson, Jack Mcduff :: Together Again

Honk for "Gator Tail"

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 05/16/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had never heard of tenor saxophonist Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson until I found his Legends of Acid Jazz in the cut-out bin at Newbury Comics a few years ago. There's nothing groundbreaking to his music, just some great soul jazz from a true bluesy gospel horn-honker. I was impressed enough to purchase another half-dozen discs by this artist, all of which are currently going out-of-print. "Together Again!" culls music from four sessions, originally issued on two LPs, now all jammed on to one CD. Organist Jack McDuff and guitarist Bill Jennings feature on all 13 tracks, with a variety of interchangeable bassists and drummers, though the great Milt Hinton features on the collection's three best tracks from February 1960. Gator and McDuff have great chemistry, but the most pleasant surprise is Jennings, who must be the most country-influenced jazz guitarist since Les Paul. Soul jazz fans do yourself a favor and honk for "Gator Tail" while you can."