Customer Reviews

Kelly Blue

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How can I convince you to try this fabulous album? Wyton Kelly is as good a musician as could be found in the hey-day of be-bop, but was known and appreciated much more by his peers (especially Miles Davis) than the public. This album grooves as hard as anything I've ever heard, especially the 2 fantastic takes of "Keep It Movin'." This album is one of my favorites; if you like seriously swinging ensemble bop with cool undertones, this one is a must.

I have always been an admirer of pianist Wynton Kelly, one of the musicians on Miles Davis' KIND OF BLUE. And I've heard him on many other recordings too. Yet I've never owned one of *his* albums as leader. Until recently. Perusing my voluminous ALL MUSIC GUIDE TO JAZZ 3rd EDITION (see my review) I did some reading about Kelly's recordings and this was one of two that stuck out in my mind. I now own it and am enjoying it as I write this review. Interestingly, some of Kelly's right hand work on the title track sounds similar to Thelonious Monk. The flute playing is a rare treat in a jazz combo, and that's too bad because Bobby Jasper sounds great here!

"Softly As the Morning Sunrise" begins with a beautiful bass ostinato compliments of ubiquitous 50s/60s bassist Paul Chambers. The rest slowly join in and Kelly sets the tone with his appealingly bouncy accompaniment. Likewise, "On Green Dolphin Street" works well around Chambers' two-note vamp and walking bass line. Jimmy Cobb is solid -as always- in his restrained and graceful timekeeping. "Willow Weep For Me" and "Old Clothes" are also great tunes; very earthy, very relaxed. Not a dull note is struck here, everything fits together in swinging fashion. It's funny how some albums and artists are so overshadowed by others; Kelly has crafted an album every bit as good as Sonny Clark's COOL STRUTTIN', yet I'm betting most people -even Jazz fans- are not familiar with KELLY BLUE. Well there's no time like the present.

Highly recommended.

it was one of the first cd's iv'e bought and it still wonderful each time i hear it. a mixture of great originls and arrangments by wynton, plus great player's (benny golson realy fired up and booby jasper is also cool and i dont have to mention the rythem section that was used previously by miles) and great bop,hard-bop improvisations. a beautiful and refreshing album by one of the greatest pianist that ever played.

Miles pianist in 1959 band.What a masterpiece.The mood and spirit
is earthly and Wynton Kelly sound very rich and vibrant.Accompanied by two of other members from Miles band.The outstanding bassit P.Chambers and the most promising drummer J.Cobb.The band displays a notable blues feeling and added,Bobby Jasper offers the warmest flute sound in jazz today.A must for this rare talent by the best fine jazzmen....

Wynton Kelly's lasting importance will be always be as a sideman -- on classic Blue Note dates by Hank Mobley and Sonny Rollins, among countless other recorded appearances, and in the classic Miles Davis Quintet in the period following the release of Kind of Blue. In this role, Kelly consistently turned in great comping and solo work with inventive right-hand lines and a joyous, ringing quality to his playing. He was one of the most swinging pianists of all time, and if you want to hear his greatest recording, look no further than the Miles Davis "In Person" recordings at the Black Hawk, in which Kelly is on fire from beginning to end. Among the various albums made with Kelly as the leader, however, this is the finest, featuring a couple of long pieces featuring "blowing" by a stellar line-up of Benny Golson, Nat Adderely and little-known flautist Bobby Jaspar, who matches Kelly's carefree quality to a tee. In addition are some nice trio performances by what was then the Miles Davis rhythm section of some standards that Kelly made his own, including "On Green Dolphin Street" and "Willow Weep for Me". A four-and-a-half star set, docked a half-star for its lack of ambition.

This is a killer session with Wynton, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb. Miles' rhythm section at its best without Miles. Wynton Kelly is stellar on the piano and the session is pure hard bop. This is one of my favorite cd's in the mainstream jazz genre. Add to this mix Nat Adderley on cornet, Bobby Jasper on flute and (In my opinion) the underrated Benny Golson on tenor and you have a 5 star mix. Most definitely recommended!

The sextet performances alone - and especially the title track - are well worth the CD.

Recorded in 1959, NY. The sound quality is excellent - digitally remastered. The trio sounds similar to other trios of the day; Kenny Drew Trio and Barrry Harris Trio. The sextet numbers sound a little dated (Mod Squad-ish), but there are only 2 cuts with the sextet. The other 5 are a strong trio performance put in by 3 masters; Wynton Kelly p., Paul Chanbers b., Jimmy Cobb d. I'll add it to my list of favorites. I'm glad I bought it - had to buy it unheard so it was a bit of a risk...

This is mastered by Alan Yoshida and that says a lot. I recommend any XRCD by him. The music is late 50s hard bop from the pianist who was on Kind Of Blue. There are 2 cuts with a sextet that feature Nat Adderly. Good music but a great recording. Sounds like they are playing in your room. Worth the money for the XRCD

Pianist Wynton Kelly appeared on numerous albums in the `50s, supporting some of the biggest names in jazz, including most notably Miles Davis. Kelly Blue is one of the few recording sessions done under his name, and it is a nice set. The trio featured on most of the cuts includes Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers ("Mr. P.C.") on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. On a couple of cuts, the trio is augmented by Nat Adderly on cornet, Benny Golson on tenor sax, and Bobby Jasper on flute. My own favorite cut on this CD is "Willow Weep for Me," which is done with a rhythmic bounce that gives the familiar music an unfamiliar dimension. This is probably not a must-buy CD for most folks, but it certainly is a nice recording that is well worth recommending to jazz lovers.