Search - Art Blakey :: Night in Tunisia

Mr. There

Michael Hardin | South Duxbury, Vermont United States | 03/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I came to this album very early in my jazz listening career (taking baby steps out of the Ken Burns cradle). I bought it right after "Moanin'" because that seemed like the logical thing to do. Let me tell you, this album is a HUGE shock after "Moanin'" if you're not prepared for it. While "Moanin'" was an excursion in groove, swing, and in-the-pocket hard bop, "A Night In Tunisia" is a forward-looking powerhouse that isn't as accessible but just as amazing. The reason for this change can be traced primarily to the passage of two years and the presence of Wayne Shorter who was, is, and always will be ahead of his time. Though he contributed only one tune to this session, "Sincerely Diana," that tune and his others like it moved the Jazz Messengers much closer to the cutting edge of the new harmonic language that would become post-bop. His szxophone playing is also much drier and more angular than his predecessor, Benny Golson. Initially, this was a turn-off to me, as it will be for the casual jazz listener. Wayne Shorter takes time to appreciate but he truly is one of the greatest geniuses jazz has ever known.



As the other reviewers have said, the title track is a long, intense affair that highlights Art Blakey's drive and power on the drums. But it features great playing from all of the group, and Lee Morgan's cadenza near the end with Art cheering him on is one of the great moments of Jazz Messengers history. The other tunes, "So Tired," "Yama," and "Kozo's Waltz," are definitely in the hard-bop vein but they do predict the innovations to come in the following years. Since this album is not as immediately accessible as "Moanin'" and some others, get "Moanin'" first, then get "The Big Beat," also with Shorter present. Then check out "Like Someone in Love," from the same session as this one. If you like all of those albums, then get this one. The level of musicianship is superb and Art Blakey's drumming is superhuman in its drive."

Wow, title track lights a fire up your ass

Edward M. Green | Ann Arbor, MI | 02/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whoever said that the Night of Tunisia is not a good version has a bad ear...

The fact that it is almost out of control and frentic makes it my favorite version by far. You can't guess what is gonna happen next and it sounds like every band member is on the edge of their seats...that is what jazz is all about. As a musician myself, you crave for the edge of your seat frentic feeling when the tempo is up and you can barely keep up. In fact, it's much more dynamic than some of Blakey's more well known, but more straightforward albums..."

Dig those drums

Case Quarter | CT USA | 03/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"bah! da da da da dish bah...



art blakey made the tune a night in tunisia his own, his solo opening the selection is so spectacular i wanted the drumming to go on. but then i would had missed the straight out tenor playing of wayne shorter, followed by lee morgan.



to call something a waltz outside of european based concert music is risky, the ear wants to make comparisons to hear if what is called a waltz is really a waltz or just someone saying something is a waltz. fortunately, for jazz there's fats waller's jitterbug waltz as the first jazz waltz. lee morgan's koko's waltz is in the tradition of the jazz waltz.



blakey's a night in tunisia is a filler in your jazz collection. you can't claim to like jazz or talk about jazz unless you've at least heard tunisia. and for the ridiculously low price it's being offered, less than eight dollars, at this writing, you really shouldn't pass it up."