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Review 1
This album contains music from two 1953 sessions involving entirely different personnel (with the exception of bassist Percy Heath). The sessions were originally released on separate 10-inch LPs, but when the great Clifford Brown died in an auto accident in 1956 (at age 25), Blue Note combined the tracks on a single 12-inch record and affixed the present title. Ironically, the young trumpeter's debut recordings would ultimately serve as his epitaph.
The original 12-inch release grouped the August 28 session on Side A and the June 9 session on Side B. By contrast, the RVG Edition presents the tracks in chronological order and includes the omitted "Bellarosa" and "Brownie Eyes," as well as six alternate takes (three from each date). Because the content is entirely reshuffled, reissue producer Michael Cuscuna opted not to include Leonard Feather's original liner notes. Bob Blumenthal weighs in, however, with thorough and perceptive analysis.
Clifford Brown is in peak form here. His solos are lyrical, expressive, and breathtaking in their technical precision. The music is infectious and widely varied, ranging from the fast tempos of "Brownie Speaks" and "Cherokee" to the heartwarming ballads "Easy Living" and "You Go To My Head." Pianist Elmo Hope, who made his Blue Note debut at the June 9 session, contributed the idiosyncratic pieces "De-Dah" and "Carvin' the Rock." Completing the June 9 lineup are Lou Donaldson (the date's co-leader), Percy Heath, and Philly Joe Jones. On August 28 Gigi Gryce played alto and flute and contributed his beautiful "Hymn of the Orient." Charlie Rouse added a third horn; John Lewis, Percy Heath, and Art Blakey comprised the rhythm section. |
Players
Lou Donaldson, Elmo Hope, Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones, Gigi Gryce, Charlie Rouse, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Art Blakey |
Tracks
Bellarosa, Carvin' The Rock, Cookin', Brownie Speaks, De-Dah, You Got To My Head, Carvin' The Rock (Alt Take 1), Cookin' (Alt Take), Carvin' The Rock (Alt Take 2), Wail Bait, Hymn Of The Orient, Brownie Eyes, Cherokee, Easy Living, Minor Mood, Wail Bait (Alt Take), Cherokee (Alt Take), Hymn Of The Orient (Alt Take) |
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