This interesting outing past times an all-star grouping (guitarist Danny Gatton, altoist Bobby Watson, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman on tenor, pianist Franck Amsallem, bassist Charles Fambrough in addition to drummer Yuron Israel) is most notable for featuring the vivid Gatton inwards a jazz setting. Together the septet, performs ix originals past times grouping members in addition to Gatton in addition to Watson emerge every bit the principal solo stars. Despite its somewhat generic name, this advanced difficult bop engagement is quite memorable.
This is EXACTLY what I holler upward of when I holler upward of New York agency jazz. As you lot brain to it, you lot experience every bit if you lot are cruising inwards a cab on a rain-drenched nighttime inwards Manhattan, off to encounter some classy lady for a nighttime on the town. The line-up is superb: Danny Gatton on guitar, showing off his jazz licks alongside his unique rockabilly spice; amazing trumpet playing past times Lee Hargrove; delightful in addition to tasteful Joshua Redman on tenor sax; summation others. Every unmarried truthful cat is WAILING on this release. Look for incredible ensemble playing inwards the horns, presenting that big, New York banner sound. Get it soon, if you lot tin detect it!
The guitarist is Danny Gatton, in addition to though I suppose in that location could hold upward some people who don't similar his guitar playing, he was ane of those under-appreciated guitar geniuses who could play whatever style, in addition to could fuse whatever styles -- hence he was impossible to pigeonhole or marketplace inwards the contemporary music world. His playing on this album is brilliant, in addition to I would fence than anyone who believes jazz "requires" a hollow-body guitar hasn't truly listened.
I should dot out, inwards the context of the guitar give-and-take above, that this is truly an ensemble slice past times a grouping of master copy musicians -- Danny Gatton's guitar is non truly featured whatever to a greater extent than (well, maybe a little) than Franck Amsallem's piano, in addition to the album wouldn't hold upward every bit expert every bit it is without the the horn department of Bobby Watson, Roy Hargrove, in addition to Joshua Redman, the bass of Charles Fambrough, in addition to the drums of Yuron Israel. Of the nine tracks, three were composed past times Gatton, 2 past times Watson, in addition to 1 each past times Fambrough, Amsallem, Israel, in addition to Hargrove -- to the extent that whatever ane mortal tin hold upward said to guide hold "composed" a slice inwards what was intended to hold upward an old-style Blue Note jam session.
This CD is timeless in addition to an absolute classic. It has to charge per unit of measurement every bit ane of my top five -- maybe *the* top -- jazz albums ever. The playing, the production, in addition to the overall recording lineament are superb. H5N1 expect at what people are charging for used copies of this CD volition dot how much it's treasured past times those who know it.
Already legendary for his province in addition to stone in addition to curl guitar mastery, the belatedly Danny Gatton every bit good released a pure jazz CD on Blue Note, "New York Stories." If in that location was whatever dubiousness that this incredible participant was capable of whatever style, whatever time, whatever place, this CD volition pose those doubts to residue in addition to nosotros volition hold to mourn in addition to lament the passing of ane of the greatest guitarists inwards history. His suicide was provoked according to some theories past times his pitiful tape sales, in addition to what a shame.
"New York Stories" is truly a jazz combo essay alongside Gatton writing all or business office of the tunes in addition to sharing his fourth dimension alongside a stellar pianoforte in addition to horn section. This is a jam session, in addition to according to the liner notes, a express amount of rehearsal was allowed to hold the tunes fresh in addition to to let the improvisational juices to flow.
It's smoothen - so much so you lot almost desire to guide hold upward smoking in addition to don a fedora land you lot listen. It harkens dorsum to the smoky unsafe days of the '40's in addition to '50's, where downwards in addition to muddy jazz emanated from grimy clubs inwards the bad parts of town. Yet at times the music is ethereal, such every bit the guitar tour de strength "One For Lenny" that closes the CD.
The agency hither is reminiscent of Miles Davis' early on years, ala "Walking" in addition to "Someday My Prince Will Come" in addition to mayhap a fiddling Brubeck pianoforte in addition to sax tradeoffs.
Even rockers volition appreciate the mastery on this session. "New York Stories" goes downwards similar a cool drinkable on a hot summertime afternoon, welcome every bit a surprise snowfall inwards July would be.
Danny was such a swell player; he oftentimes sounded similar two. If I hadn't been there, I'd hold upward looking for the opened upward minute track, especially on One for Lenny. Having ever been a fan of Five O'Clock Bells in addition to Mo' Breau (also produced past times Doyle) it was similar he was channeling Lenny. Doyle was ever expert at throwing people together, similar the nighttime he got SRV to drib past times on ane of Johnny's records. But he truly outdid himself on this group. Fambrough had a tape on the jazz charts at the time, in addition to Bobby Watson had patently been to a greater extent than or less but some of the other guys were merely starting out. "Who's that kid?" "That's Dewey Redman's son, man!"
You know what else? Danny was every bit good a truly nice, quiet, unassuming guy for someone so talented. The Tele did the talking. I asked him to sign my re-create of Elmira St. (which lost the Grammy to Eric Johnson that year. I mean, that had to hurt! Any other year... Think nearly it; if he won, would he yet hold upward hither today?)
Anyway, he signed it, "Thanks a mil, Danny Gatton" I wishing I had that on this record, but of course of education it didn't be at the time. And unfortunately, I never saw him again.
Track Listing:
1. Dolly's Ditty
2. Wheel Within H5N1 Wheel
3. Ice Maidens
4. Out H5N1 Day
5. Mike The Cat
6. The Move
7. H5N1 Clear Thought
8. 5/4
9. One For Lenny
Personnel:
Danny Gatton (guitar),
Bobby Watson (alto saxophone),
Joshua Redman (saxophone),
Roy Hargrove (trumpet),
Franck Amsallem (keyboards),
Charles Fambrough (bass),
Yoron State of Israel (drums)
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