Saturday, January 9, 2010

Lee MORGAN - The Sidewinder 1963


Lee MORGAN - The Sidewinder 1963
BLP 84157

Jazz

Simple and direct and somewhat of a runt album in the history of jazz. The solo on Art Blakey's recording of Bobby Timmons' 'Moanin' is by Morgan, as is that on 'A Night In Tunisia'. By the time he came to record this album he had simplified his style, which appealed to the soul/jazz lovers of the 60s. To use the ultimate cliche, this is groovin' music; it rolls, it bops, it makes you feel good and its success is that it is refreshingly uncomplicated.
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The Philadelphia-born trumpeter and superb bop stylist Lee Morgan apprenticed with Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey before emerging as a leader in his own right in the early '60s for Blue Note Records. Although Morgan owed a stylistic debt to both Gillespie and Clifford Brown, he quickly developed a voice of his own that combined half-valve effects, Latin inflections, and full, fluid melodies. While many of Morgan's later sessions for Blue Note would find him paired with saxophonist Hank Mobley, The Sidewinder features then up-and-coming tenor player Joe Henderson, plus Detroit pianist Barry Harris, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Billy Higgins. Along with the title track, an unconventional 24-bar blues, the album's compositional standout is "Totem Pole," a minor Latin groove featuring an outstanding solo by Henderson. This is the kind of relaxed blowing date, invigorated by thoughtful performances, that forms the backbone of the Blue Note catalog.
By Fred Goodman.
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Bob Cranshaw- Bass
Billy Higgins- Drums
Barry Harris- Piano
Joe Henderson- Tenor Sax
Lee Morgan- Trumpet
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A1. The Sidewinder 
A2. Totem Pole 
B1. Gary's Notebook 
B2. Boy, What A Night 
B3. Hocus-Pocus 
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1 comment:

  1. Classic album!

    I searched but could not locate your e-mail address. Please advise or send me a note at:
    untchble@pacbell.net

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete