More Blues & Abstract Truth [Original recording remastered]

Oliver Nelson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B000003N92
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,604 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Oliver Nelson doesn't perform on this album, March 26, 2006

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Tony NYC "Tony NYC" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: More Blues & Abstract Truth (Audio CD)

The original "Blues and the Abstract Truth" is one of my all time favorite albums and I rate it at LEAST 5 stars. This "More Blues @ Abstract Truth" is a good follow up, but nowhere near the original, which was recorded three years earlier. I love the fact that Phil Woods is on this album, but am very disappointed that Oliver Nelson does NOT play on this album. Yes, is was generally known that Nelson became more known for his writing skills than his playing, but for me personally, his writing COMBINED with his playing on the original recording made all the difference. If you already have the original "Blues and the Abstract Truth", then this would be a welcome addition. After the 1961 "Blues" original, I personally prefer his 1975 album, "Stolen Moments", and his 1960 recording "Screamin' the Blues" with Eric Dolphy, much more than this CD. Like I said, the fact that he doesn't even perform on this CD is a big minus for me, on an otherwise great CD. 3 Stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unfairly slighted, March 12, 2007

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Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: More Blues & Abstract Truth (Audio CD)

True, there's no "Stolen Moments," no Bill Evans, Eric Dolphy and Freddie Hubbard. But this sequel to Oliver Nelson's classic "Blues and the Abstract Truth" is every bit as enjoyable and, in some respects, is an even more impressive display of Oliver's compositional-arranging brilliance while leaving even more blowing room than its predecessor.

This time only half of tunes are originals: Dave Brubeck deserves credit for two of the numbers, Hefti gets the honors for the familiar "Midnight Blue" (never sounding better than with this arrangement featuring Ben Webster), and "Goin' to Chicago Blues" receives a fresh and welcome facelift.

It could be argued that pianist Roger Kellaway is more suited to Oliver's extrovertish tailorings that Bill Evans, that Phil Woods is more in the arranger's mainstream-modern groove than Eric Dolphy, and that the trumpet duo of Thad Jones and Danny Moore is at least the equal of Hubbard's horn. And though at times I've had doubts about virtuoso Richard Davis' credentials as a walker, on this occasion he's right in the swing of things.

The arranged heads are frequently beboppish, intricate, orchestrated and executed to perfection. It's nice to see that Oliver thought highly enough of Danny Moore's talents to employ him (I once saw the trumpeter pretty much hold his own against the indomitable Bill Hardman as well as hold up his end in the front-line of a quintet he co-led with tenorist George Coleman, before he vanished from sight).

One undeniable disappointment: the lack of an opportunity to hear the mightily underrated, virtually untouchable player Oliver Nelson lock horns with the widely-acclaimed master, Phil Woods. Was the leader intimidated? Highly unlikely. Was he simply being deferential? Very possibly. Or did these arrangements require more attention to his conducting skills than the previous date? Very likely.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FABULOUS, SIZZLING, SWINGING SESSION !!, April 18, 2005

By 

RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: More Blues & Abstract Truth (Audio CD)

Five Stars? Let's give it SIX STARS!! One of the best composed, wonderfully arranged and inspired blowing session jazz albums in my entire collection. Oliver Nelson's followup to the Five Star CD "The Blues & The Abstract Truth" is FABULOUS! With Nelson in the role of writer, arranger, and conductor, his top drawer arrangements 'unleash' the players to get the very best from each of them. Underpinned by the monster rhythm section of Roger Kellaway, Richard Davis, and Grady Tate, Nelson insured this would be a special burning & swinging experience for the listener. And then he added the unison horns of Phil Woods, Thad Jones, and Pepper Adams for some real spice. Plus he brought in Ben Webster's unique tenor sax. Talk about 'stacking the deck'!!

The 'Piece D'Resistance', the best of the best, amongst this bevy of fabulous performances is the song "Blues and the Abstract Truth", which starts the CD with a long, convoluted, multi-noted, dynamic 'theme in three- sections', setting up sizzling solos by Roger Kellaway, Phil Woods, Pepper Adams, and Grady Tate. Notice how Nelson uses a simple two-noted repeat figure by the rhythm section to raise the second half of each solo to another level of intensity. One of the finest group and individual performances I have ever heard, with each solo 'uping the ante' all the way to the two-headed ending. WOW!

But the rest of the CD is just as interesting, intense, and swinging. Phil Woods and company are in top form ripping off memorable solo after solo (Thad Jones' solo on "Blues for Mr Broadway" is a blue sizzler! Kellaway's solo on "Going to Chicago Blues" is a real hoot, as is Mr Woods). And Ben Webster, obviously in an elder statesman cameo role, almost steals the show with "Blues For Mr Broadway". His solos are models of inventiveness, experience, and cunning, with a voice-like, laconic sound that is one of the rare pleasures in modern jazz. Oliver Nelson was incredible and left the bandstand and the music studio much too young. This is a 'must have' essential CD in any serious jazz collection. Five Stars are not enough Six HUGE Stars!!!!!!