Customer Reviews

Born to Be Blue

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

 

 

The mix of musicians on this recording first starts to make you wonder... does this really work.. and the answer is yes. Of course it is so that Quebec is so heavily influenced by Hawkins that at times you wonder if it is not Hawkins that are playing, anyway, Quebec plays nice and it works out nicely together with Green.It seems that Green was at the best of moods when recording this, his soloing is very "boppish" light, bouncing and not to mention "Swinging", good example of this is "Somedxay My prince will Come! and "Back on your own backyard". When I first heard "if I should loose you" I had to laugh when listening to Greens solo. "he is playing jokes" some odd licks, and at one place a repeated lick (like he aleays use to do) but this time it did not seem to be to go deeper into the groove,but rather to surprise the lister,even though . I have listened to Green almost every day for 30 years, I thought that ther something wrong with my CD player. I also like what Louis Hayes are doing, he keeps the music swinging, his light touch is delicate, and he does not sound like a stone crusher.

The editorial review does a wonderful job of describing the contents of this fine session, so I thought I'd just offer a small anecdote. It has always amazed me which sessions of Grant Green's Alfred Lion decided to release in the 1960s. Some of Green's most lasting achievements in my opinion -- "Solid," "The Matador" and this title, "Born To Be Blue" -- sat in the Blue Note vaults until the mid-70s, while inferior titles (for my money anyway) like "The Latin Bit" were issued in the era in which they were recorded. I think the reason for this was Lion saw Green as a potentially profitable crossover artist, and as a result only Green's more commercial recordings were originally released. But to Lion's credit, he did have the foresight to record Green in a variety of settings to showcase his diverse talents. And his ability to play the blues has never been better demonstrated than on "Born To Be Blue."

Born to be Blue is one of Grant Green's best outings along with Idle Moments and Street of Dreams. His guitar tone has a pristine jewel-like opulence which fits the standards he covers (as well as one original) beautifully, and his always groove-laden playing ranges from a probing lyrical marcato to smooth single-note runs. Ike Quebec (saxophone) plays first-rate solos throughout, especially on the title-cut and 'My One and Only Love'. Ike is a very straight ahead saxophone player--(contrast to Joe Henderson [also great] in some of Grant Green's more adventurous settings)--and as one reviewer aptly put it: not unlike Coleman Hawkins. Born to be Blue is very accessible, yet the playing is far too intelligent and imaginative to delve into any muzak-ish schmaltz. I'm a huge fan of post-bop progressive jazz . . . i.e. Andrew Hill, Eric Dolphy, Sam Rivers etc . . . and I found Born to be Blue to be quite engaging on many levels. Hence it is a recording palatable to both myself and my (or practically anybody's) grandparents.
Question to other reviewers or listeners: Has anyone noticed a scratchy or staticky(sp?) sound on some of the percussion tracks. I'm trying to determine whether it is my copy or the recording in general. It is not a big enough liability to detract any stars from my review, nor does it detract from my enjoyment of the cd.

~ Grant Green was best known as a blues-tinged, groove-oriented, soul-jazz guitarist who sometimes delved into post-bop modal compositions (notably with Larry Young). However, Green was in his roots a hard bopper. "Born to Be Blue" is five-star evidence. Recorded in 1961 on 11 December (eight tracks) and 23 December (one track), Green and sometimes partner pianist Sonny Clark were joined by tenor man Ike Quebec. Bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes, who worked together countless times provide excellent sympathetic support. Quebec is in fine form on hard-swinging interpretations of "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "Back in Your Own Back Yard." It's interesting to hear Quebec playing bop considering that his tone and background were straight out of the swing era via Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster. Quebec and Green may have had different musical backgrounds, but they messed well together musically.
~ The music throughout this CD is spectacular. The combo works well together, the solos are excellent, and the program is diverse in a straight-ahead bop fashion with a strong focus on standards. The music is relaxed, gentle, warm, intimate, emotional, and accessible. Great late-night music. Green and Quebec worked well together on the uptempo selections, but are at their collaborative best on ballads like "My One and Only Love" and Mel Torme's "Born to Be Blue." Standout tracks include "Count Every Star", which is a prime example of Green's ballad playing with lyrical solos. "Someday My Prince Will Come" is swung here in 4/4 time, rather than the usual waltz time. "Born to Be Blue" is primarily a feature track for Ike Quebec, with Grant contributing only one bridge. "Cool Blues" is a cooking number with all members of the quintet flying. "Outer Space" is a blues with catchy stop-time figures. Other tracks are equally enjoyable.
~ If your measure of a successful Grant Green CD is the funky groove, you may be disappointed in this CD. However, if you are open to hearing Grant Green bring his considerable talent to a meeting with a musician of a different ear and hearing the two musicians create a collaborative effort, you will be pleased with this CD.
~ Unfortunately, Quebec and Clark both passed away not long after these sessions. It makes one wonder what this core group could have accomplished had they survived. If this CD is all we have to enjoy of a Green - Quebec - Clark collaboration, then at least we have one special CD. Sit back and enjoy.

Ike Quebec is the problem with Grant Green's "Born To Be Blue." He's way too laid back. A sax player with more energy might have elevated this beyond the doldrums, but as it is, they're just phoning it in.

Grant Green deserves 2 Stars for showing up, but with so many great sets in his discography, you're safe bypassing this.

"Born to Be Blue" and "Cool Blues" are the standouts. Overall a very good, if somewhat subdued, recording.

I'm a collector of jazz and blues music.I add to my library when ever I run across something 'bad'.... if u don't know what that means, then you're in the wrong space.Grant Green is "Baaaad".......

Grant's phrasing on this album is spectacular. I really like My One and only love. Ike Quebec's solo on that number is absolutely beautiful. Grant really shines on Cool blues; I know these guys were having fun on that tune. It sounds very joyful

This one was a little too subdued for my tastes. I didn't like Idle Moments or Street of Dreams either. And I'm really not into Ballads. So I guess if you like the slow stuff, you might like this one too. Otherwise, you might be a bit disappointed.

the only reason i would not give a 5 star is because i reserve that rating for the "kind of blue" eque albums.