2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
4 1/2* Excellent (but not enough!) Navarro Work!, April 6, 2001
Theodore "Fats" Navarro was one of the greatest trumpet players and his influences can be found in Clifford Brown and others. On this album he plays 12 songs (although five of them are alternate takes or from different masters) written by composer/pianist Tadd Dameron and one cut ("the Skunk") by Howard McGhee and Navarro.
The interplay between Navarro and McGhee is wonderful, especially on the aptly named "Double Talk," perhaps the best example of Navarro's trumpet on either Volume 1 or Volume 2 of the series. "Boperation" is another great song, featuring solos by Milt Jackson (who doubles on piano on the CD), Navarro, McGhee, and the relatively lesser known but equally talented Ernie Henry on alto sax.
The first five tracks are the best on the CD. Tenor sax players Wardell Gray and Allen Eager replace Henry on tracks 6-12. While their playing is excellent, these latter tracks suffer for want of more Navarro. Dameron's "I Think I'll Go Away" features a rather odd (is this an attempt at Eckstine?) vocal that seems to stray off key at times.
Curly Russel and bop drummer Klook provide steady backing on bass and drums. Klook is not as flashy as Max Roach was on the quite similar Clifford Brown/Roach CDs, but his steady beat and cymbal work are well-suited to this album. It's past bop, but not quite at the rough and ready stage of later hard-bop. In fact, cuts like "Lady Bird" bespeak the birth of the cool more than anything else!
Tracks differ somewhat from those listed on this version (mine is an older copy, perhaps): "The Skunk," "Boperation," "The Skunk (78 Master)," two takes of "Double Talk," 2 takes of "Jahbero," 2 takes of "Lady Bird," 2 takes of "Symphonette," and "I Think I'll Go Away." Recommended!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
