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Review 1
Sonny Clark left an indelible mark on the Blue Note catalog as a leader and a sideman before he was lost to drugs in 1963, at age 31. Many consider Cool Struttin' to be his masterpiece. A straightforward, relentlessly swinging quintet date, it features Art Farmer and Jackie McLean in the frontline, and Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones - both still Miles Davis band members at the time - in the rhythm section.
The opening title track, a slow original blues, remains a classic of the hardbop idiom. Clark's slightly quicker "Blue Minor" follows, its 32-bar form spiced up by Jones's bouncy Latin feel in the bridge (on the melody only). Next is a bright reading of Miles's heavily reharmonized blues "Sippin' at Bells" (Clark apparently decided to have the soloists revert to standard changes after one chorus). The Henderson/Vallee tune "Deep Night," which Clark had picked up from Bud Powell, closes out the original LP program. Interestingly, the pianist states the melody both times without horns, even though Farmer and McLean both take solos.
Like the original CD reissue, the RVG Edition includes the midtempo original "Royal Flush" and the Rogers & Hart staple "Lover" as bonus tracks.  |
Players
Paul Chambers : Bass
Sonny Clark : Piano
Art Farmer : Trumpet
Jo Jones : Drums
Philly Joe Jones : Drums
Jackie McLean : Sax (Alto) |
Tracks
1. Cool Struttin'
2. Blue Minor
3. Sippin' At Bell's
4. Deep Night
5. Royal Flush - (bonus track)
6. Lover - (bonus track) |
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