Wayne Shorter's first Blue Note album remains a masterpiece. Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner, Reggie Workman and Elvin Jones interpret his unique compositions beautifully and they generously add their own creative depth to his cre... more »ations. * bonus track, not part of the original LP Recorded on April 29, 1964 at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey LEE MORGAN, trumpet; WAYNE SHORTER, tenor sax; McCOY TYNER, piano; REGGIE WORKMAN, bass; ELVIN JONES, drums« less
Wayne Shorter's first Blue Note album remains a masterpiece. Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner, Reggie Workman and Elvin Jones interpret his unique compositions beautifully and they generously add their own creative depth to his creations. * bonus track, not part of the original LP Recorded on April 29, 1964 at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey LEE MORGAN, trumpet; WAYNE SHORTER, tenor sax; McCOY TYNER, piano; REGGIE WORKMAN, bass; ELVIN JONES, drums
CD Reviews
Wayne's First, One of His Best
Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 03/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wayne Shorter's "Night Dreamer," his first album as a leader for Blue Note, briefly drifted out-of-print on CD over the past year, but now is back in all its remastered glory with this RVG reissue. And it's a good thing too because this is not only one of Wayne's best efforts, but one of Blue Note's all-time Top 50 discs. The tenor-saxophonist is joined on this April 29, 1964 session by Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner (listed amusingly as "Etc" on the cover for contractual reasons), Reggie Workman and Elvin Jones. On "Night Dreamer," Shorter takes the composition and playing talents that he honed with the Jazz Messengers to a new level. (In fact, Miles Davis was impressed enough by Wayne's growing stature to offer him a spot in his second great quintet later that year.) The songs featured here, especially "Black Nile," "Virgo" and the title track are as good as anything Shorter penned, and that's saying something considering how many classic tunes he wrote during the 60s and beyond. But as good as the writing is, the playing is even more remarkable. In my opinion, Wayne has forged a cleaner sound, and a more distinctive yet somewhat ethereal voice since his earlier days with Blakey's group. His musical understanding with his colleagues, particularly frontline partner Lee Morgan, is unparalleled. And speaking of chemistry, the rhythm trio of McCoy, Elvin and Reggie Workman certainly have it after all the time they spent together with John Coltrane. Personally I still find "Speak No Evil" to be Shorter's best BN outing, but "Night Dreamer" is a very close second (as in 2nd place in the 100m dash at the Olympics!). Thanks to the RVG series, those who have previously neglected to get this classic jazz album, no longer have to dream about buying "Night Dreamer.""
Hidden Gem
MDC | 04/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is Shorter's first Blue Note album and it is without a doubt a classic. It definitly has a Coltrane influence in its virtuosity. However, you can really see Shorter developing his own voice: one that really takes off on his next series of albums on this same label. Also, unlike Coltrane, he lets another horn compliment and shine, especially on this album. You really cant go wrong with any of the albums that followed, such as "Speak no Evil" or "Ju Ju". However, the reason I would choose this one first is the lineup that accompanies him. Lee Morgan is one of the most underated trumpet players. He and Shorter really hit a stride together. The combination of McCoy Tyner(piano) and Elvin Jones (drums) round out a premier band. It has more of a mellow feel than his next few albums. I would also add that I totally disagree with the assesment in another review that Shorter is "better" than Coltrane. I think such comparisons are silly. Coltrane was going for a totally different feel; more experimental and spirtual, for a lack of better terms. Shorter is seeking more of a mood. Both are valid expressions. Shorter is much more acessible. You will love this album on the first listen. That shouldnt dissuade you that its not a great work, however. It really is great jazz listening. I never grow tired of this album."
Nocturne Romantic
Jack Baker | LeRoy,IL | 02/25/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Night Dreamer is a collection of six Wayne Shorter originals, plus an alternate version of "Virgo". Shorter chose his fellow musicians well for this session, employing Lee Morgan on trumpet, Reggie Workman on bass, Elvin Jones on drums, and McCoy Tyner on piano. These performers all complement the music well, particularly Tyner and Morgan, who play to the mood of the material. Elvin Jones is the picture of restraint here, his solid drumming maintaining the relaxed mood of the album, as well as delivering a great solo near the end of "Charcoal Blues". Wayne Shorter is brilliant throughout, his sax tone rich and his phrasing magnificent. This was Shorter's first release as a leader on Blue Note and it's clear that his songwriting abilities, honed in The Jazz Messengers, were entering a new stage here. Night Dreamer is an apt title for this album, as all six songs have a languor to them, bringing to mind a dream state. The music is intricate, removed from hard bop, but not totally divested of its influence. It's very brave, mature music from an artist about to embark on his own path. From the sensual opening of the title track, to the a cappella saxophone just before the close of "Virgo", and the dark foreboding of "Armageddon" that closes the album, Shorter has crafted a true musical statement, haunting and mysterious."
Highly recommended!!
Great Southwest | PHOENIX, AZ United States | 03/20/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A wonderful debut album for Blue Note from Wayne Shorter!! I love this RVG edition CD!! One of Wayne's best Blue Note CD's along with Speak No Evil, Juju, and the Soothsayer (in no particular order)... a must have for any 60's jazz collection... moody, sensual and timeless!"
Freed to Dream His Own Dream
Roger Berlind | NY, USA | 03/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While this was Wayne Shorter's first solo album for Blue Note, he had been playing with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers for 5 years and was already a mature saxophonist and composer. But with this 1964 album, he was free to write music to suite his own taste rather than Blakey's. He was free to dream his own dream. Shorter did this very successfully, emerging as a major jazz composer, a painter of vivid soundscapes.
He was backed up by outstanding musicians. I happen to be a big fan of Lee Morgan and already owned some Morgan CDs that featured Shorter --"Search for the New Land" and "The Gigolo"; I would have been glad to have any additional album featuring them together, but that is especially true when the compositions are so distinctive. Actually, Morgan only plays on "Night Dreamer", "Oriental Folk Song", "Black Nile", and "Armegeddon". Maybe Shorter wanted to prove to Blue Note that he could sustain listeners' interest in a quartet; his next album "JuJu" did in fact feature the same quartet heard here on "Virgo" and "Charcoal Blues" for that entire album.
The album and title track open with a wonderful series of runs on the piano played by McCoy Tyner before launching into the theme. Shorter, Morgan, and Tyner all deliver solos which maintain the dream-like mood which Shorter extends with a second solo before the return of the closing theme statement. Even then, Shorter is not done and spins out one more solo. This tune really sets a high bar for the album, but the remaining tunes meet this challenge.
"Oriental Folk Song" doesn't really sound that oriental to me, but it is a charming, mellow tune featuring more fine solos and some drum breaks. "Virgo" is a lovely ballad full of mystery; one of the most beautiful original jazz melodies I know of. "Black Nile" is a fast, hard bop number. It is followed by "Charcoal Blues" which needs no explanation (except for Morgan's absence). The entire quintet caps off the session with the vibrant "Armegeddon" which Shorter described as the "focal point of the whole album"; despite the title, it is not at all gloomy since Shorter does not view "Armegeddon" as being the final battle of good and evil, but "a period of total enlightenment in which we will discover what we are and why we are here".
This is surely one of the greatest debut albums Blue Note ever released. I think it's just as good as Shorter's "JuJu" and "Speak No Evil" albums that followed it."
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1