Gravy Train [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Lou Donaldson

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2007)
• Original Release Date: September 18, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000UO8BCK
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,508 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Blue Note, March 16, 2008

By	Jazzo (Central Europe) - See all my reviews

I must admit I am a huge fan of this kind of jazz that was recorded in the 50's and 60's: straightforward, no punch-in edits, no overdubbing. Effectively most albums were recorded as full takes (thus the inclusion of alternative takes on many CD reissues such as this one) from beginning to end and thus are more of a "live" performance--except sans audience (and distracting applause).

This album fits the above description--nice, listenable jazz for times when you want to relax, reflect and enjoy music. Very highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hop on the "Gravy Train", December 12, 2007

By	Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Of all the Blue Note Mosaic boxes I own, the one that I was most reluctant to initially purchase was probably the Lou Donaldson set. The alto saxman had always struck me as a player constantly looking for crossover commercial success, and not interested in playing "real" jazz. And while his late 60s forays into boogaloo funk may have justified some of my unfounded claims, I realized after finally picking up "The Complete Blue Note Lou Donaldson Sessions 1957-60" that the man could flat out play some great soulful jazz! The April 28, 1961 session "Gravy Train" (yes, the Mosaic title is misleading), is a shining example of that style. Generally, the organ trio setting yielded the most funky jazz of the period, but Lou's employment of a standard rhythm trio with a conga player, resulted in fresh grooves of equal power. In this instance, it is conga player Alec Dorsey, and pianist and frequent collaborator Herman Foster (who also played on Lou's Blues Walk and three other sessions currently unavailable in the US as single titles), joining the formidable rhythm duo of Ben Tucker on bass and Dave Bailey on drums -- check those two out on Grant Green's Green Street (see my review). This quintet certainly gets the groove going, though I personally prefer the intricate playing of Ray Barreto on congas (who partnered with LD on 5 sessions during this period) to that of Dorsey. Of all the sessions captured on that Mosaic set, "Gravy Train" would not have been my first choice for single CD reissue (that would be "Midnight Sun" or "Wailing with Lou"), but it is a great album to have back in print nonetheless.