Art Imitates No One
William Faust | Columbus, Ohio | 12/25/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While I have always liked Art Farmer, he's never been one of my favorite figures in jazz. Yet this compilation by Orrin Keepnews from two sessions in 1960 and 1961 remind us what a sensitive and subtle trumpeter Farmer could be. There are 14 tunes in all, half with a quartet that includes Tommy Flanagan and Tootie Heath, and half with the backing of some less notable but highly competent players. The mix is a combination of bop originals, standards (both up tempo and ballads) and even a few that I would have to classify as swing. But for me, the best aspect of this disc are the ballads (especially I'm a Fool to Want You) which allow Farmer to showcase his superior tone and lyrical quality. No one played a ballad like Art. Highly recommended."