Search - Sonny Red :: Out of the Blue

Who's The Real Sonny Red?

Tad Ulrich | Los Angeles, CA United States | 02/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sonny Red, who's real name was Sylvester Kyner, was one of those promising young jazz musicians who never really found himself musically and ultimately faded into obscurity. I think this cd gives us an indication as to why as Red displays a sort of Jekyll and Hyde musical personality.



First off, there is the equivalent of two full cds worth of music here. The first six tracks were recorded in December 1959 from the originally issued album and tracks 7-13 are very generous bonus tracks from the Blue Note vaults of previously unissued tunes recorded in January of 1960.



On the first six tracks, Red is accompanied by Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones and Roy Brooks. On the last seven, Paul Chambers replaces Jones on bass and Jimmy Cobb replaces Brooks on drums. On the first six, the tunes are very much after hours and bluesy and the quartet setting is perfect with no competing horns for Red to contend with. Red's soft tone almost reminds me of tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley with an alto sax. The combination of Kelly, Jones and Brooks give this session a really nice feel. I really like what the group does with "Bluesville" and my favorite track here, "Blues in the Pocket" (Could that be a reference to Red's financial situation at the time?)



But on the last seven tracks it's whooaaa baby, are we still listening to the same album here? If I were given a blindfold test, I'd swear I was listening to Jackie McLean! These sessions were recorded only a month or so later than the first six but what a difference in Red's conception and tone! And I guess this gives us a clue as to Red's ultimate dilemma in trying to find himself musically. Red had stated that McLean was an influence, and it's certainly evident here.



Technically, this is a very fine reissue. Unlike many so-called "Connoisseur" series reissues, some of which have had terrible sound reproduction, the remastered sound here is excellent. There are the complete original liner notes and a couple of photos of Red and Wynton Kelly as bonuses. This is a special Amazon reissue and the original reproduction values are intact, save a few ink smudges here and there.



Overall, there is some fine music on this disc worthy of a four star recommendation as well as your time with your cd changer."