Cat Walk [Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered]

Donald Byrd | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI/Blue Note
• ASIN: B00004YNVK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #895,560 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Say You're Mine

2. Duke's Mixture

3. Each Time I Think of You

4. The Cat Walk

5. Cute

6. Hello Bright Sunflower

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! The Cat Walks!, March 20, 2007

By 

Nipperhorn (Apple Valley, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cat Walk (Audio CD)

After many years of being unavailable, EMI has finally reissued "The Cat Walk" by Donald Byrd as part of their Blue Note RVG (Rudy Van Gelder) Remaster series (what took them so long?)
I first heard this album about 20 years ago when I found an LP in a second-hand record store. I remember liking it, but discarded it soon after I discovered that the "scuff" on side two was actually a scratch that was quite audible. Ever since then, my search for a replacement copy has proven fruitless, except for a number of expensive Japanese imports. For years now I've scoured the "B"'s in the Jazz section of Border's and the like figuring it was bound to turn up, but to no avail.
Well, I am happy to say that as of today March 20, 2007 this classic album is once again available, with enhanced sound and revised liner notes to boot! To my ears, this is one of the best Blue Note albums of all time. Strong words I know, considering the wealth of great Blue Note titles out there. But check this out: The combination of Pepper Adams' gritty baritone, Donald Byrd's lyrical trumpet, Philly Joe Jones' crisp, exciting drumming, Laymon Jackson's soulful bass and Duke Pearson's tasteful piano create a funky, Soul/Jazz groove that hits you right from the very first note! Add to that a mix of catchy original tunes (not always the case on a Blue Note album) plus Rudy Van Gelder's classic sound and you've got an album that can stand alongside any of Blue Note's best.
Highlights include the instantly likeable opener "Say You're Mine"; the funky title tune with its clever use of stop time; the incredibly fast and furious drum solo on Neal Hefti's "Cute"; and the upbeat closing tune "Hello Bright Sunflower". Don't wait another twenty years; get this while you can!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another 5 Star Gem by Byrd & Company!, April 13, 2007

By 

JoeyD (los gatos, ca) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cat Walk (Audio CD)

People! People! Wake up and pay attention! This cat Donald Byrd can play that horn of his like nobody's business. I was so excited by this re-release on March 20th that I ordered it that same day. And needless to say, as always, the man and his band does not disappoint! On the contrary, this hard-bop recording is essential to any jazz fan's collection. Especially if you're a fan of Byrd's already. I can't believe it took them so long to re-release this. However thank you EMI and RVG indeed!

Donald is joined by Pepper Adams (baritone sax), Laymon Jackson (bass), Philly Joe Jones (drums), and Duke Pearson (piano). All of them sound absolutely perfect on this recording. I am actually thinking about starting up a Donald Byrd fan club. I can't believe how great this guy was and how little we ever hear about him. Byrd, along with Kenny Dorham are two of the most underated trumpet players of all-time. It's a lonely world for many of us jazz fans. After listening to recordings like this, it's impossible for me to listen to all that crapola that so-called artists of today try to pass off as music. This is REAL music! Music that wakes you up, gets the heart pumping a little faster, takes the edge off, and finally, makes you feel happy just to be alive.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Byrd & Adams best album yet!!, October 14, 2008

By 

Dennis W. Wong - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cat Walk (Audio CD)

Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams produced some of the greatest hard-bop albums in the 60's that there ever was, comparable to some of Lee Morgan's best efforts. If you want to one album to buy, check this one out!! It is unfortunately one of their last albums in the studio and also the last featuring Duke Pearson who would go on as Blue Note's a&r man and also lead his own big band. In fact Pearson along with drummer Philly Jo Jones provide the spark that Byrd-Adams needs!! From the title tune to the late Neal Hefti's classic "Cute" (a drum piece for the great Philly Jo), this album will leave you smiling. Their next album with a young newcomer by the name of Herbie Hancock would feature more modally based tunes rather the usual hard bop repetoire but you should check that out as well. Recommended for hard boppers and Byrd/Adams alike!!