Customer Reviews

Big Beat

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

People talk about "Moanin'" as being the first album to get when getting into Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Although Moanin' was my first Messengers album (aside from the Ken Burns Art Blakey CD, but that doesn't really count as an album), and I proceeded to buy "A Night in Tunisia" and "Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers," I could never really warm up to them until I had heard this one. I immediately loved this album for its great compositions, great solos, and deep, powerful swing, and it really served as a launching point for me to go out and get everything this group cut, everything other Messengers lineups cut, and many albums by the various sidemen. So I have to confess that this album holds a special place in my heart.

"The Big Beat" was recorded in 1960 and features Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Bobby Timmons on piano, and Jymie Merritt on bass, with the leader on drums. Though all of these musicians had recorded together with Blakey prior to this, this is the first time this specific lineup recorded, and they would go on to record seven more albums over the next year and a half. Though all of the albums are very good (and some are spectacular), this may be the best, perhaps along with "A Night in Tunisia" and "Roots & Herbs." Wayne Shorter supplies three originals, all of which are interesting, swing hard, and provide a good basis for the soloists. Of special note is "The Chess Players," a very bluesy, medium tempo tune that may seem atypical of Wayne's work, especially his later stuff, but it's just quirky enough in form to indicate where the young composer was going. Also, the rendition of "It's Only a Paper Moon" is far from being a cheesy gimmick, as one might suspect; instead, there's an aura of playful mystery that is helped (or perhaps created) by Lee Morgan's genious trumpet playing. It's one of my favorite cuts on the album.

All in all, this is a very accessible, hard-swinging album and a fantastic introduction to the Jazz Messengers and what this edition was all about. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes jazz regardless of their listening experience. There's something on every level here.

The only problem with Messengers' albums is that there are so many around that it can be difficult for the newcomer to know where to begin. The good news is that there are very few duds, especially among the Blue Notes from the 50s and 60s. Within that category, the quintessential records are probably the mid-50s live Cafe Bohemia sets with Hank Mobley, Kenny Dorham and Horace Silver, which are among the finest early flowers of hard bop, and the powerful 60s records by the Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Curtis Fuller and Cedar Walton group, notably Free For All and Mosaic. But between these peaks there is plenty of good stuff, including several sets by the Shorter, Lee Morgan and Bobby Timmons group featured on the Big Beat. A Night In Tunisia is usually cited as the best of this bunch, for an incredibly intense version of the title tune. But if, like me, you find that track a little OTT, you may prefer the more restrained punch of the Big Beat. The Penguin Guide describes this record as 'patchy' but it's difficult to see why. The tunes are great, including three excellent Shorter compositions and Timmons' soul jazz classic Dat Dere, and everyone is on exellent form. You won't regret buying it.

This is Art Blakey's strongest CD from start to finish, superior to his top-selling "Moanin'." The Big Beat features Blakey's most gifted group of Messengers (and that's saying alot). Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter on horns, Jymie Merritt on bass, and pianoman extraordinaire Bobby Timmons. The arrangement and performance of "It's Only A Paper Moon" will completely knock you off your chair. "Dat Dere" moves madly, showcasing Timmons. Shorter's compositions "Sakeena's Vision" and "Lester Left Town" are fabulous. Morgan's and Shorter's solos are hot throughout, and of course, Blakey drives the whole group at a feverish tempo.

I've heard most of the Messengers' output around this period and think this is easily the best. Other offerings have great numbers, but nothing is as consistent as this - the whole line-up play out of their skins.

This is an excellent release with some hip tunes by Wayne Shorter, and some nice playing by all. Blakey has some of his best drumming on this one. Dat Dere is a classic. Blakey always lets you know where the groove is!

This is my third Jazz Messenger CD with Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter, and they are all very good. Art Blakley's formula is to have his players write the song, and the arrangements are simply melody, solos, melody, then end. The trick is to have top-notch players like Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter. Bobby Timmons is no slouch on piano, and Jymie Merritt didn't create big waves in the jazz world but certainly sounds good too. The songs are a masculine bunch. "The Chess Players" is muscular-sounding. "Sakeena's Vision" is more of a lope. "Politely" and "Dat Dere" both strut. "Lester Left Town" also has a strutting feel, but the melody is more slippery. The standard "It's Only A Paper Moon" is more complicated-sounding than the others, and also the best song on the CD.

Despite some of the formulaic nature of this CD, hard bop fans should pick this up.

Drummer Art Blakey has recorded some great bebop albums in his day and this one is one them.

Joining Blakey on his trip down Splash Mountain are Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Lee Morgan on trumpet, Bobby Timmons on piano, Jymie Merritt on bass, and of course Blakey on drums.

This album was recorded almost around the same time as "Moanin'" which features one of the hottest lineups of the Messengers' long history. Every song on this album is swinging like crazy and has strong melodies and great improvisations. This album features two of my favorite Messengers' tunes "Dat Dere" and "Sakeena's Vision."

If you're just getting into Art Blakey, then start with this album. If you enjoy good 60s bebop then buy this album.

The remastering of this album is very well done. It sounds great for 1960. It sounds like it's been cleaned up and that's always good thing.

Other great Messengers' albums "A Night in Tunisia," "Moanin," "Caravan," "Ugetsu," "Mosaic" and "Free For All," which features one of the most aggressive Blakey performances ever.

This is from a Riverside twofer, not "The Big Beat" Blue Note Session!!!

It has 3 pieces from 3 different Art Blakey Riverside albums.

Caravan is from "Caravan".
The Hight Priest is from "Ugetsu".
The Theme is from "Kyoto" (recorded in NYC).

The line up with Art Blakey is: Freddie Hubbard, Curtis Fuller, Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton and Reggie Workman.

There are 3 more Drummers featured with selections from exemplary Riverside sessions:

Max Roach with Booker Little from "Deeds, Not Words".
Elvin Jones from "Elvin"
and Philly Joe Jones from "Drums Around The World" and "Philly Joe Jones Showcase".

For those not having the original records, this is a fantastic compilation easily earning five stars from my side.

This is a great album, with excellent compositions and inspired playing from start to finish. "The Chess Players" is a killer track, one of my favorites in recording history.

This is another great album worth many listens-I just listened to it for the umteenth time-their version of "Paper Moon" is something else.