Search - Freddie Redd :: Redd's Blues

One of the "lost sessions"

G. Schramke | Vienna, Austria | 11/14/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This latest item from BlueNote's Connoisseur-Series is a previously rejected date. Compared to other recording-sessions from that period it's quite understandable, why this one has remained in the vaults for such a long time. Though there are great moments, the whole stuff doesn't seem to be up to the usual standards of that great label. Sometimes the ensemble parts are a little bit blurred, Benny Bailey on trumpet sounds somehow under the weather and the real downer ist the drummer Sir John Godfrey, he tends to drop senseless "bombs" behind the soloists, the great Paul Chambers on bass really helps to keep the music together. It's a pity, that they didn't get one of the great drummers like Philly Joe Jones, who would have been a perfect choice here. Nevertheless there are things to really enjoy: The leader's compositions, especially the medium tempo tunes like "Cute Doot" and "Somewhere"....beautiful things. Jackie McLean and Tina Brooks are contributing really great solos and the leader also plays some nice piano."

Unreleased or out of print gem now available

harrythompson | Fort Knox Rox | 02/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never heard of this album nor have I seen it in the Blue Note catalog so when I spotted it in a store I grabbed it and contrary to the reviewer below the bombs the drummer drops are not out of place. This rare record is a keeper. The recording quality is very good."