Customer Reviews

Mood Indigo

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

 

 

Frank Morgan stacked this 1989 set with moody ballad interpretations, but as a bop-based player, he still finds plenty of opportunity to insert the quick little phrases associated with the style. Four tunes are taken as duets with George Cables on piano, a format that Cables' had explored in 1982 with Art Pepper in the final year of his life, and the results here are equally bittersweet yet rewarding. Buster Williams and Al Foster provide strong rhythmic support on the rest of the tracks, with Ronnie Matthews subbing for Cables on a couple of tracks. Wynton Marsalis sits in on trumpet on Coltrane's "Bessie's Blues" and Freddie Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring", lending a broader sound to those tracks. A very satisfying set overall, if you're in the right mood for it.

The title is better than the music. Morgan is an accomplished player but the accompanists are a bit old school: too much brass making more 'noise' than cool, slow jazz like the title implies.

I cannot recommend this to friends who are also jazz lovers.

B. Campbell

Frank Morgan possesses that so desired and special magic to bewitch the listener and convey the most exigent audiophile. His fabulous phrasing and velvet sound would seem to come from those delirious Fifties where the creativity was in continuous ebullition state.

Consider the delirious version of "In a sentimental mood" or the eternal classic "Round midnight" and you will know why he is one of the most notable soloists of this instrument.

Gratifying, engaging and involving set.

The CD was shipped at what seemed like the spped of light, I paid for standard shipping but the retired professor popped it up to first class and it was here almost instantly. The professor contacted me directly telling me that he was shipping the CD. Mood Indigo is a great album and the condition it was in when I got it was pristine. If the professor is selling it I recommend you buy it!