Search - Donald Byrd :: Parisian Thoroughfaire

Doubling the pleasure

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 11/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like the previous reviewer, I'm a fan of this ensemble and concert but disappointed that the 2nd half of the concert wasn't included as a two-fer with the first. I've just discovered this "Part Two" disc, and it's easily the equal of the first--if anything, more adventurous, with three of the tracks clocking in at 10 minutes or better.



There's a story with each of the storied players making up the group, which had settled in for a lengthy stay at Le Chat Qui Peche, a jazz club on the Left Bank. I was privileged to hear them live, though in person Art Taylor's powerful ride cymbal in this reverberant "cave" all but erased the sound of Doug Watkins' bass and Walter Davis Jr's rickety upright piano. Such was not the case at the "formal" concert by the group recorded here.



There are numerous values and worthwhile finds deserving the serious collector's attention in this Jazz in Paris series, which on the whole is well produced and fully documented. Thus far, the most satisfying pick-up has been Sonny Stitt With the Oscar Peterson Trio (originally on Verve, but in fact a quickly assembled session recorded in Paris)."