"Olio" More Than Just Blowin'
Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 12/19/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Prestige jam session "Olio" is another one of my Fantasy/OJC warehouse clearance sale finds on the Oldies/Collectables website. Credited on Amazon to Frank Wess and Thad Jones, this February 16, 1957 date was actually made under the supervision of vibraphonist Teddy Charles, with Mal Waldron, Doug Watkins and Elvin Jones rounding out the sextet. And it is Charles' vibes that elevate this performance above the standard late 50s blowing session, as his pleasantly unexpected melodic counterpoints to the frontline horns provide the album's most interesting moments. Don't blow a lot of cash on this title, but if you find it inexpensively as I did, go for "Olio.""