"Stretching" is Good
Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/10/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Red Garland's "Stretching Out" is another one of my Fantasy/OJC warehouse clearance sale finds on the Oldies/Collectables website. This disc couples two original Prestige albums -- "Satin Doll" and "Lil' Darlin'" -- the majority of which were recorded live at The Prelude, and in fact appear on Red Garland at the Prelude. The CD's first three tracks are from a August 12, 1959 studio date at Van Gelder's with Doug Watkins on bass and Specs Wright on drums. They are solid tunes (especially the studio account of "Satin Doll," but a version of that can also be heard on Rediscovered Masters, Vol. 2), but hardly worth the purchase alone. "Live at the Prelude" has lots more music than this title, so you can see why "Strecthing Out" is being phased out. If you come across it inexpensively as I did, or you're a Red Garland completist, then it's worth it. Otherwise, it's a stretch."