Customer Reviews

Never Let Me Go (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

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

 

 

Recorded at two different sessions in January and February 1963, the only difference in personnel being the addition of percussionist Ray Barretto for the second one. The ensemble is otherwise stripped down to a four piece of Turrentine and Scott, with bassist Major Holley Jnr and the tasteful drum duties taken care of by Al Harewood. Without a third front person, Turrentine and Scott produce some exquisite interplay,each feeding off the strengths of the others solos. Outstanding playing from Turrentine is the strength of Joe Scott's "Never let me go" which makes the album a worthwhile purchase on its own.It really is a very gripping example of what Turrentine could accomplish with slower numbers. However there are also excellent readings of Tommy Turrentine's "Sara's Dance" and the jointly composed " Major's Minor". Even the least convincing tracks, like the standard "Without a song" are well executed. There is a range of tempos across the sessions, but Scott seemed to be able to push Turrentine to achieve his best at whatever the tempo. The quality of the remastering is excellent, and if you're in the market for this title, why not buy the album "Hustlin'" to compare the work of the quartet with what they achieved a year later with the addition of Kenny Burrell on guitar. Highly recommended.

There are too many good tunes on this album...

If you're a lover of groovy hard swinging organ/tenor sax music... woe baby, is this album da jackpot...

Not only does it epitomize the sound, but it presents it with a lot of variety... from masterful ballads, toe tapping swingers and churchy stuff too... If you like bop, Turrentine can bop... if you like the blues... heck, Turrentine can play Bluesy... and if you like swing, boy have you come to the right place...

Stanley Turrentine's distinct blues drenched yet crispy hard swinging sound and tone fronts a session padded by a dream rhythm section... with ultra grease and groove layed on by the late great Shirley Scott, who could have just as easily have called the session her own. The presence of Ray Barretto on any session should let you know that it was a good one too !

Heaven and earth stand still on the ballads... and the Sugar Man be swinging to the moon on the toe tappin' swingers... Turrentine's version of "God Bless The Child" gushes with churchyness, emotional intensity, soul and creative spontaneity... the mood is blue, mellow, yet the pocket is there too... amazing!

My favorite tune on the album is WITHOUT A SONG, though the JEANINE like "SARAH'S DANCE" definitely wins out on catchiness...

Album also features Clarence Johnston, the "Ben Dixon"/Blakey like drummer who could be heard on some of Freddie Roach's classic recordings, "Good Move" being an all time fave of mine!

Most if not all of Stanley's albums as a leader for Blue Note up until this point were with piano rather than organ - despite the fact that two of his greatest performances of the period were on Jimmy Smith's Back at the Chicken Shack and Midnight Special. But by the mid-60s he made the switch, bringing in his wife Shirley Scott for a series of albums.

Scott has a totally different feel than Jimmy Smith - whereas Jimmy gets an intense, overpowering (in a good way) sound out of the organ, she plays it much mellower. (She also uses a bassist, unlike many other organists of the period.) While still comfortably "jazz", the material also tends to be more crossover-friendly, with more use of pop hits. Highlights include "Sara's Dance" (on the more straight-ahead side) and "Trouble" (on the pop side). The ballads are nice, but the version of "Without a Song" pales severely in comparison to Sonny Rollins's.

This is a nice album, but not necessarily one I need to revisit often. I'll admit upfront I'm ambivalent about Scott's organ playing. Hustlin', with a similar lineup, adds some needed grit in the form of Kenny Burrell.

This is a classic recording of the former husband and wife team of jazz greatness. It brings back a lot of memories. Must buy!

If you've ever wanted one of those smokin' sax albums for a warm night in front of the fireplace, look no further. Turrentine's sax just sizzles, and Jack Costanzo plays bongos! This is a rarity and a classic, it gently swings, and heavilt steams!