Customer Reviews

Cat Walk

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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!!

The newly launched Blue Note classic albums mastered using the famed JVC XRCD mastering system produces superb, undiluted sound. This is pure jazz presented as it was recorded, and you don't need any type of special player to hear the difference. I have this same disc on the Blue Note RVG remaster series, and in comparing them head to head, the XRCD sounds flat out better. More bite and burnish in the horns, the driving drum rhythms and crack of the rims reproduced in a lifelike manner. Bass is fuller and deeper. The soundstage is a little wider and deeper. If you love the classic Blue Note records from the 50's and 60's, pick these up while they are still in production. These are the definitive versions of these great jazz classics. On a scale of 1 to 10, for both music and sound, I would vote a resounding 10.

Great work if you like the classic jazz or be bop era this is for you before Donald got into all that funk music

This is truly an outstanding example of straight ahead soulful jazz. Duke Pearson contributes 4 great tunes on this one. Both Byrd and Adams solo beautifully throughout. "Cute" showcases Philly Joe, however on EACH tune he shows why he is THE MAN!! All this plus another fantastic recording job by Rudy Van Gelder. Absolutely an essential album for any serious collection. Five stars aren't nearly enough.