Lee Morgan's Volume III is a fantastic record pure and simple, one of my personal favorites.
Unfortunately it's one of the few I've never owned on vinyl in any form.
You can get some fine recent reissues, but the original vinyl in top condition can bring in $3000 plus for its seller. Just a little out of my price range, ouch!
Benny Golson, who also was by in large responsible for Blue Note 4003, delivers another hard bop masterpiece here .
Golson composed every single tune on the album, and yes, they are all worth repeated listens. Recorded on March 24th 1957, the record also is astounding for another reason: Lee Morgan's lyrical and powerful trumpet playing. Morgan, out of the Clifford Brown vein... plays an assured well rounded style, and Morgan did this at the young age of 18 years old!
Now let me tell you, I remember how I was at 18, and how my own children are at 18, and believe me, I didn't, and they sure as heck haven't established anything yet; let alone a fully developed beyond their years trumpet tone.
Lee Morgan was shot and killed by his Wife Helen at Slug's Saloon on February 19, 1972 at the age of 32. From this time period to his death, in 15 short years, Morgan left a legacy that few have equaled. Lee deserves his spot with Freddie Hubbard as the 2 firebrands of the hard-bop era. Both carrying the torch for Clifford Brown after his untimely death in 1956.
Of all the Blue Notes, Vol. 3 is certainly in my top 10 Blue Notes. It's one of those records that embodies the sound of the Alfred Lion owned classic Blue Note Records sound. Add bassist Paul Chambers and pianist Wynton Kelly to mix, they being on loan from the Miles Davis quintet, you know the rhythm is going to be taken care of. Charlie Persip is no slouch on drums either.
Vol.3 has no filler, but the 2 most memorable tracks are: The epitaph to Clifford Brown "I Remember Clifford" and the Middle Eastern "Hasaan's Dream".
The former is in my opinion the definitive reading of the Golson standard. Morgan, baring is soul to one of, if not his biggest influence Clifford Brown less than a year after his death is breathtaking.
"Hasaan's Dream" is the type of track frankly I always fall for. Something about that mysterious/exotic vibe, the flute of Gigi Gryce is a special treat, and in some respects reminds me of the George Shearing track "Bohemia After Dark".
I highly recommend Vol. 3 be added to your jazz collection, it is one of the real gems of 50's jazz, and adds to the already gargantuan reputation of both Lee Morgan and Benny Golson.
If you've ever doubted the greatness of Lee Morgan, just check out his discography. I don't think he released a bad record. Looking at the discography, his sideman work is also startling good. All the Blakey albums, Blue Train with John Coltrane, and over a half dozen he did with Hank Mobley, are only a few, and every one of them is worth having. Volume 3 is certainly a great place to start.
7 comments:
I know it's not "vintage", but the Music Matters reissue of Vol.3 sounds pretty terrific and it's reasonably priced.
For what it's worth, Wynton Kelly is on piano, not Red Garland. To my knowledge Red never played on any Blue Note dates.
@zebtron: Thanks for catching that. I had Garland on the brain recently listening to Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section.
I have always wanted to check those Music Matters out. Do you find it a PITA to have to get up and down so much to drop the needle? Those are the double vinyl right?
What's the packaging like on those? Do they go the extra mile on them?
Hey Jason,
when I first delved into the 45rpms I did find it annoying to have to get up and turn records over so frequently. Once you get used to it, and especially considering the quality of the recordings, it's well worth it. It does require that you plan your listening so you're not tied up around the house doing something. They do have a limited number of reissues on 33 1/3, they're well worth the price as well.
The packaging is easily the best I've ever seen; it's like owning a piece of art. Thick, laminated cardboard gatefolds with excellent reproductions of Francis Wolf's session photography on the inside.
Thanks for your blog. I just recently discovered it and have enjoyed going back through the archives.
@zebtron: Thanks for the thoughts. I will have to check those out, I have read so many great reviews on the Music Matters issues. I had read that Michael Cuscuna was in on those somehow too, I figured that they'd be top notch all the way around.
I appreciate your comments.
love this session and have the Mosaic box set with this and many many other treasures on
Did you ever hunt down the Japanese Other Side of the 1500 series box set with all the lovely treasures on them?
Pre dates much of the best Mosaic and LP only (unless you have all the tracks on seperate LPs)
@Andy Bleaden: Sorry for the late response. No I don't have that one, sounds interesting though.
https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Other-Side-Of-Blue-Note-1500-Series/release/6033762
Looks like the 3 LP compilation is reasonably priced. Didn't even see it on eBay right now. Must be hard to find?
Can be
I had it for years but then sold when I cleared out my LPs. Now of course I have all the tracks on the box set and so just ran the cds from the box set onto CDRs to enjoy once again
Post a Comment