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Review 1
Mighty tunesmith Silver - a Connecticut born son of Cape Verdean parents - wrote classic bebop melodies that crossed lines. Three of them -- "Sister Sadie" (covered by many from Woody Herman to Jimmy Smith), "X" (), and "Peace" (Tommy Flanagan�) -- are played with spirit on this splendid date by one of Silver's best of many endlessly creative quintets from the 50s thru the 80s. Silver's good humor is pervasive, as is his tight comping behind Blue Mitchell's thoughtful trumpet and Junior Cook's rollicking tenor sax.
Each Silver tune delivers its charge of gas like pure helium in a whoopee cushion, be it fancy fillip ("Break City"), tasty turnaround ("Sister Sadie"), or hip coda ("Baghdad Blues").
But this date also benefits immeasurably by alternating several moody gems played by Silver the poignant pianist - classics like the azure-tinged "Melancholy Mood" and introspective "St. Vitus Dance" -- with just Gene Ramey's bass and Louis Hayes' drums. The resulting contrast presents the yin and yang of Silver in perfect symmetry. Overall, given the energy and beauty of the band and its tunes, it's no wonder Silver's legacy spins out as pure platinum among today's deejays and turntable set.  |
Players
Blue Mitchell, Jr. Cook, E. Taylor, Louis Hayes |
Tracks
1. Blowin' the Blues Away
2. The St. Vitus Dance
3. Break City
4. Peace
5. Sister Sadie
6.The Bagdad Blues
7. Melancholy Mood |
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