Right Now [Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

Jackie McLean | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 9, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B0001GWAII
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,460 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, June 26, 2004

By 

G B (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Right Now (Audio CD)

Blue Note is slowly bringing Jackie McLean's mid-60s catalogue to print -- an exciting run of recordings that bridged the gap between hard bop and the innovative concepts of Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. All of these albums (or at least the ones I've heard) feature McLean surrounded by exciting sidemen and contributing his trademark take-no-prisoners playing.

Like the better-known classic Let Freedom Ring, Right Now features McLean fronting a quartet. For those of us who love McLean's playing, this is a big bonus because he doesn't compete for solo space with any other horns. Jackie rises to the occasion, contributing plenty of intense and unfettered blowing. The other guy who really stands out is the underrated Clifford Jarvis; his turbocharged drumming powers the faster tunes.

Aside from "Poor Eric" (pianist Larry Willis's moving tribute to the late, great Dolphy, with maybe a sideways glance toward Mingus's Town Hall Concert album), the compositions are basically bread-and-butter Blue Note 60s post-bop: two fast swingers ("Eco", "Christel's Time") and a grooving boogaloo ("Right Now"). But don't worry -- it's the high-energy playing that completely justifies picking up this excellent record.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy This "Right Now", March 9, 2004

By 

Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Right Now (Audio CD)

After a nearly five year absence, Jackie McLean's "Right Now" makes a welcome return to the Blue Note catalog in the RVG series. Why Jackie Mac's various Blue Note sessions from 1964-66 never received more notice will always baffle me. In fact, many of them weren't even issued until the 1970s. At least Alfred Lion realized that this January 29, 1965 session had to be put out "Right Now." Jackie always had a talent for grooming young talent, as he basically introduced the jazz world to the likes of Grachan Moncur III, Bobby Hutcherson and most importantly Tony Williams. On "Right Now," it is pianist Larry Willis (who joins bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Clifford Jarvis), a phenomenal player who, had he arrived on the scene even a few years earlier, certainly would have been given his own Blue Note date as a leader. His contributions to this album are multi-faceted, including authoring two of its compositions, "Christel's Time" and the heartbreaking "Poor Eric" for Dolphy. Framing these two brilliant tracks are the album's fiery, searching opener, McLean's "Eco," and one of the catchiest Blue Note tunes I've ever encountered, the Charles Tolliver penned title track, which closes the set. Fans of Jackie Mac and great Blue Note discs should buy "Right Now" right now.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tough, tearing, ripping saxophone with take no prisoners piano, September 17, 2006

By 

L. Topper - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Right Now (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite records. I had it on vinyl for years and was waiting for it to be issued on disc. McLean's solos on this record are unrelenting.

Jackie is playing with a rhythm section only--no trumpet or trombone as a distraction or to even share an idea. This often results in some of Jackie's most swinging playing. His solo in the first tune Eco is amazing. It is like Jackie is tearing meat from the bone. When I played this tune in the car when I was driving, I would end up speeding and driving more agressively.

The second tune is something of a ballad is is both intense and atmospheric.

All the tunes are great. The piano and rhythm section are equally intense, but structured and tuneful.

Don't miss this one.