Search - Richard Williams :: New Horn in Town

An amazing that this was only Lp by a great bop trumpeter

C. Katz | Peoples Republic Of Massachussettes | 12/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well it's known over and over again that the 50's and 60's were so rich in talent that many folks never lead a session as a leader or had few.This is trumpeter Richard Williams ony session a s a leader.Inspired by Fats Navarro he developed a sound close to Clifford Brown,Kenny Dorham and Donald Byrd and seemed to be everywhere in 60's recording with Mingus,Lateef,Grant Green the list which goes through late 80's is endless bu the 60's he was a hard boppers hard bopper.Yet if one was to have only a single album this would be a one to have.Backed by the great Leo Wright on Alto and flute,Richard Wyands on keys(who is still making superior albums today on prestigious Japanese labels),Reggie Workman on Bass and the lesser know Bobby Thomas on drum this was a crash quintet.The album starts with a lesser played standard 1)I Can Dream Can't I.This is flowed by a well known Benny Golson tune 2)I Remember Clifford which is done quite lyrically by Williams.3)Ferris Wheel is a Williams number and shows Leo Wright off beautifully4)Raucous Notes is another Williams composition done with articulation and speed and as Hentoff observes in liner notes"without blurring the line of pinching the tone"5)Blues in a quandary is named because Williams say's "it never reaches the tonic".Then comes the gem of the album one might pick as among the best examples the rarely played in the 60's hard bop community 5)over The Rainbow"Lyric and sensitive it reminds one of songs going i and out of favour and sometimes that is to a generations loss.The album concludes with "Renita's Bounce" named after Williams daughter and it is playful and full of energy.I don't normally go into detail but the clips are not here at 'Zon yet one ca hear at Allmusic.This is a classic and among the LP collector crowd now demands a pretty stiff price.And for good reason.It's a gem.Why he did not get another shot with Candid or another label who knows?Why is Tina Brooks a posthumous star and who cut three LP's,only which one of was released (until latter Mosaic made all available) and goes for $2K on collectors market.Still Williams survived the often hazardous life of a jazz musician and one can search his playing out o may LP's.His last effort (not sure if he's still with us was to go full circle and join The Mingus Big Band.We wuz robbed not getting to hear more from this guy.As ever go to Jazz Foundation Of American and give what you can and pass the word.Too many sad stories when nobody was there to help the well known and the not so well known who gave themselves to the art we love.Oh BTW get German second issue.It's OK sound quality better than first issue.This is one of those CD's that if you could hear an original press on a $500 turntable you'd be like "Damn CD's especially ones not made before late 90's with 20 bit remastering just can't old a candle to a good Lp that's taken care of.

Cheerio

Chazz"