This album, Cool Struttin rivals the best Blue Note ever put out, and honestly, the title track kicks ass all the way around for serious hard bop fans.
Try that title track as a ring tone, perfect in every way for the jazz aficionado.
Sonny wasn't long for this earth unfortunately. According to his contemporaries, he gave into that tired 40's and 50's jazz refrain of drug and alcohol abuse.
Clark pass away at the age of 31, the official cause of death was a heart attack.
I don't recall ever hearing a bad Clark album to tell you the truth, Dial S For Sonny, Sonny's Crib, and Leapin' and Lopin' come to mind as fine examples of his work. Cool Struttin is in rarefied air though, Jackie McLean on Alto and Art Farmer for a fantastic front line that sells this material very well.
The "in the pocket" groove of Paul Chambers, the same guy who was on Kind of Blue by the way, and then Philly Joe Jones on drums, you have some top shelf players here.
I like Miles Davis' "Sippin' at Bells" and the title track the best, I also enjoy "Deep Night" and "Blue Minor", the CD reissue adds 2 tracks, "Royal Flush" and "Loyal".
Cool Struttin' is about the Blues pure and simple, and the music struts its deep soul bag without out one hint of remorse.
This particular copy of the album is a reissue that can be had for under 40 dollars, an original first press Blue Note will only set you back 4 figures, ouch!
Cool Struttin' has to be considered one of the holy grails of hard bop records, and surely a top choice for any Blue Note collector. When I win the lottery I will surely snap one up.
