Johnny's last album as a leader
chickenbologna | Glendale, CA United States | 10/24/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The version of "Echoes Of Harlem" is worth the price of the C.D. His solos are the highest standard of blues saxophone, and Oliver Nelson re-arranges several classic Ellington pieces, as well as some original compositions. The orchestra is loaded with all-stars including Snooky Young, Randy Brecker, Al Grey, Frank Wess, Joe Farrell, Hank Jones, Earl Hines, and Ron Carter. Hodges died 2 months after this date in 1970. I used to own the L.P., and was thrilled to locate it at Amazon.com ."
DON'T FORGET TO CREDIT OLIVER NELSON!!!!
Steven Fernow | Salt Lake City, Utah | 07/31/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The reviewer from Glendale, Ca took the words out of my mouth: 'Echoes of Harlem' (aka, 'Cootie's Concerto') is worth the cost of the CD in itself, but so also is 'Black, Brown, and Beautiful,' which rivals 'Isfahan," Blood Count,''Jeep's Blues," and 'Passion Flower' in displaying the tender soulful side of arguably the greatest altoist that ever lived.
This disc also appeared under Oliver Nelson's name as 'Black Brown and Beautiful,' except that for the most part the recording in this version is much better except for a slightly irksome skip 20 seconds into 'Echoes.'
Although noone admires the work of Johnny Hodges more than I do, this really was Nelson's show, and it truly is one of the great tragedies of American music that he never achieved the recognition that his work here and with Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, and others should have won him.
Creole Love song is almost as good as 'Echoes' and 'BB&B,' and some fairly dynamic if somewhat formulaic uptempo numbers are also fun listening, but it's 'Echoes' that will steal your heart away."
