Customer Reviews

Essential Buck Clayton

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

 

 

I can only endorse and try to recommend even more highly than does Washington's btmooney@aol.com. These men were all playing better in the 1950s than they played in their 1930s heydays. This is music that will rise to the top in the centuries to come. Clayton's trumpet is like silver filigree, Warren on alto is at possibly his best ever. Vic Dickenson who never played a bad note plays a nimble tongue-in-cheek blues on "Good Morning Blues. Hank Jones is immaculate and behind them all throughout, as is the master of 1950s small group swing -- Jo Jones. No-one strikes a cymbal like he does. His touch lifts the whole sound onto a cushion of air --truly, the man who played like the wind! Goodness, how much we need music of this caliber today! Also the "Essential Vic Dickenson" is not to be missed. They are "Jazz for forever"!

with wonderful companions, and the remarkable guidance of John Hammond, Clayton produces a great collection of memorable, lyrical, swinging tunes. Notable sidemen include Ruby Braff, whose similarities and differences to Clayton make for wonderful listening, and the marvelous Buddy Tate, plus Jo Jones, Vic Dickenson, and others... Get this album! (Hammond also produced similar albums for Vic Dickenson, which is a masterpiece, and Jimmy Rushing, both well worth getting.)

Buck Clayton is the greatest trumpet player you may never have heard. Buy this CD and change that. Clayton's mastery of blues and artfully clean articulation are extraordinary. He is the anti-Maynard in a sense. Clayton's impact comes not from exploring the highest possible notes on his instrument, but from a gorgeous tone and total control of the color, timing and shaping of notes. I'll admit to being a little biased as a sax player, but most brass guys just don't get the range of expression that Clayton demonstrates is possible- and he makes it sound easy.

The only real flaw on this disc is a lack of any real liner notes. The personnel listings are wrong, too. There are tunes that list no sax player that have beautiful saxophone on them. Don't worry about it too much, skip the reading and listen.

I am hardly what one would call an afficianado, but I like to think I know great Jazz when I hear it. This is the real deal. These cats were kickin' it out back when. Jive, hep, sittin' around in a beret in an East Village bar and lettin' it all hang out. These guys flat out cook. Buck Clayton gives Diz a run for his money, trust me. And Ruby Braff was no slouch, either. Marvelous renditions of standards and original compositions. Five stars with a silver bullet!!

BEK