Customer Reviews

Got A Good Thing Goin' On

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Recorded on 29th April 1966, this is very much a John Patton album. Grant Green on Guitar plays a very subsidiary role to Patton, and Hugh Walker the drummer fills in around the sound created by the two main players. Thankfully the part played by Richard Landrum who provides the conga playing is also mixed well back on all the tracks. The sound is also heavily dependent on Patton's keyboard sound, with little evidence of the bass pedals being used, and with no extra bass player on any of the tracks. So provided you're not expecting a low down deep bass funky sound this is is a great remastering of the original album. All the tracks work well, but particular favourites are the Patton/Green track "Soul Woman" and the Sam Cooke track "The Shake". The version of the Duke Pearson track "Amanda" adds an interesting counterpoint to the tempo of most of the other tracks. It's a shame that the sleeve notes are an unadorned version of the original 1966 notes by Alan Grant, but this is an album that commends itself to your attention. Go buy, and enjoy what was going down in '66!

Here we are in 1966, with Blue Note's business starting its decline amidst falling interest, few interesting new artists, and the rise of abstract jazz with less mass appeal.

Organist John Patton was one of the few artists recording commercially-oriented material for the label. This feel-good, groovy set is a fine example of accessible, high-quality cocktail lounge jazz.

This session showcases the song-writing and playing skills of Mr. Patton teamed with versatile guitarist Grant Green. They co-wrote two foot-tapping tunes, both brisk tempo with tasty solos. Drummer Richard Landrum keeps it simple and catchy throughout.

Changing times are noted by selection of songs popularized by Sam Cooke ("The Shake") and Marvin Gaye. The up-tempo rendition of Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar" is the highlight of a strong session. Green tosses off variations on the melody with obvious joy and ease, then accents Patton's solo with perfect commentary. Patton's solo features fleet runs and varied sound effects that reaches a soaring climax.

Grant Green is an under-appreciated guitarist who was comfortable in both the cocktail lounge as heard here and with the cutting-edge hard bop group. Search out a Blue Note classic album by Lee Morgan "Search for the New Land" to be wowwed by Green's talent in a bop combo. Find his own session "Matador" where he inspires John Coltrane's rhythm section to new heights.

IF you want a better and multi artist introduction to soul jazz, then I would recommend that you find "So Blue, So Funky." This is a good album, and it is just about worth an MP3 purchase.

Patton did better work on "Along Came John," though none of the tracks on here were bad.

I haven't been a Big John Patton fan for long, and only have two CD's of his work. Both of them are great jazz music that get me tapping the foot and nodding the head pretty much from start to finish.

I love putting this CD on in the office. No-one has heard anything like it, and it really livens up the place; I have witnessed the most uptight person actually smile and laugh as a result of this CD playing in the background! Heck, someone even soft shoe shuffled past the photocopier the other day!

It is a great, fun CD. Patton's hammond skills are just amazing, and Grant Green on guitar (whom I must admit is the draw card for me) is just like liquid dynamite; every note from both of them just takes this CD higher and higher!

I would love to hear this on LP with the crackle and pop of a needle that needs some attention, and the heat of some classic summer day draining energy from everything bar these guys playing their jazz.

It's tight, it's fun, and it's worth owning.

This was an awesome effort by Big John Patton.
He indeed created a fresh new approach to the Hammond organ.Patton fused avant-garde chordal voicings with
funky latin inspired grooves.He also played with a new
triplet inspired fire that was missing in his earlier
recordings. Grant Green is exellent as usual.
Amanda and Soul Woman are great vehicles for this new approach. Which still sounds modern today.