This live date burns
Henry S. Brent | Marietta, GA USA | 08/06/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Man, what a date-- every aspiring player needs to hear this and take careful note on the use of taste, dynamics, pacing, tempo, choice of material and solo space. Not a bad cut in the set and everyone is at the tope of their game-- especially Jackie Mac and Donald Byrd (who is NEVER given enough credit as being just a notch below Clifford at the time for crispness, technical ability, improvisation). What a shame that Wallington couldn't get greater exposure and somehow eluded the critics because he is one of the greats-- all of his recorded output is amazing. I could not stop listening to this one and keep it in the car for reference when I need a good "hard bop" fix. Grab it!!"
GOOD SHOW
John M. | 07/19/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A good live set with Donald Byrd on trumpet and Jackie McLean on alto sax from the Cafe Bohemia 9/55. Evidently these were the only 6 tunes recorded. Every time they played one of these, they recorded it and then used the best take for the LP. Other tunes played but not recorded probably showed up on the PRESENTING JACKIE McLEAN session with Donald on trumpet and Mal Waldron on piano recorded the following month. Maybe they even played A Foggy Day from Jack's LIGHTS OUT session with Don and Elmo Hope 1/56- who knows.-----Anyway the highlights here are the great Wallington tune Sweet Blanche, and Jay Mac's Crib based on Softly as in a Morning Sunrise. There are no trio tracks and George always solos after both hornmen are finished soloing. Paul Chambers is on bass and Art Taylor is the drummer."
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1