Search - Art Pepper :: Arthur's Blues

Arthur's Blues: An obscure and excellent recording

gnsaliba | the U.S. | 05/19/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I usually don't expect much from a album released ten years after it was recorded, but "Arthur's Blues" was a very pleasant surprise. It begins with an extremely adroit performance of Duke Ellington's "Donna Lee," where, at the song's conclusion, Pepper teases the live audience by providing several different "endings." It's an extremely fast-paced and engaging experience. I was drive to listen to it repeatedly. The final song, "Arthur's Blues," had me tuned-in also, but for a completely different reason: although the tune is set at a slower pace, these fifteen musical minutes got me so "into" the song that before I knew it was over. While the other three songs on the album are less remarkable, the album is definitely worth the $11.50. Recommended."