Art Blakey 1954 At - Birdland Vol. 1 & 2 excellent - see pics

When Art Blakey founded the Jazz Messengers, his initial goal was to not only make his mark on the hard bop scene, but to always bring younger players into the fold, nurture them, and send them out as leaders in their own right.
Pianist Horace Silver, trumpeter Clifford Brown, and saxophonist Lou Donaldson were somewhat established, but skyrocketed into stardom after this band switched personnel. Perhaps the most acclaimed combo of Blakey's next to the latter-period bands with Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter, the pre-Messengers quintet heard on this first volume of live club dates at Birdland in New York City provides solid evidence to the assertion that this ensemble was a one of a kind group the likes of which was not heard until the mid-'60s Miles Davis Quintet.

Three of Silver's greatest contributions to jazz before he turned to original soul and funkier sounds are here. "Split Kick" (introduced by the erudite Pee Wee Marquette) is a definitive hard bop vehicle, as Brown and Donaldson dig into their melody and solo lines with deep affection and joy for this music. "Quicksilver" is more of the same as the horns play in unison and pull the famous lyrical quote from "Hey, You Beautiful Doll." "Mayreh" is a happy reharmonized version of "All God's Children Got Rhythm," hard bop at its best, with Brown on fire. Of course, Donaldson's forte is soul, as emphasized during the slow "Blues," assimilating Charlie Parker's cooled tones nicely. A near ten-minute "A Night in Tunisia" establishes the loose-tight concept Blakey patented as he dominates the bandstand in loudness. J.J. Johnson's "Wee-Dot" is as definitive a bop flagwaver as there is, with a short head and plenty of solo space. Where Brown was always masterful in a ballad, "Once in a While" showcases his beautifully executed legato sound, but not at the expense of his innate ability to both invent and extrapolate without losing touch of this special melancholy song.

This recording, as well as subsequent editions of these performances, launches an initial breakthrough for Blakey and modern jazz in general, and defines the way jazz music could be heard for decades thereafter. Everybody must own copies of all volumes of A Night at Birdland.

Track Listing:

Vol. 1

Announcement
Split Kick
Once In A While
Quicksilver
A Night In Tunisia
Mayreh
Wee Dot
Blues

Vol. 2

Wee Dot
If I Had You
Quicksilver
Nows The Time
Confirmation
The Way You Look Tonight
Lou's Blues

The Quintet:

Art Blakey - Drums
Clifford Brown - Trumpet
Lou Donaldson - Alto Sax
Horace Silver - Piano
Curly Russell - Bass

Originally Recorded on Blue Note February 21,1954 and was catalog number 5037/ 5038. This CD issue is from 2001.

In depth liner notes by Bob Blumenthal.

Review:

Five stars! And Volume 2 is even better! This is one of the best places to hear Clifford Brown, live and in extended format - better in fact than in the Blue Note albums under his name. All these musicians are on fire, but some of Brownie's solos are just unbelievable. Be-Bop, Hard-Bop, call it whatever you like, this is some of the most exciting music you're ever likely to hear.

The remastering is fantastic. The difference between this and the original transfer is staggering - if you own the old and you're hesitating to buy the new, then don't hesitate any longer: it's almost as if you've never heard the music before, there is that much added detail and presence. Yes, it's a live mono recording from February 21st, 1954, but the sound is more vivid that most contemporary recordings.

Of Art Blakey's numerous other recordings, I'd also recommend 'Mosaic', 'Free for All', and 'The African Beat', although many others contend. But make sure you listen to Volume 2 of this set - the opening version of 'Wee-dot' is one of my favourite jazz perfomances of all time. How could Clifford Brown die so young?? An enormous tragedy.

End Review:

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