Screamin the Blues: Rudy Van Gelder Remasters [Original recording remastered]

Oliver Nelson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 1960
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Prestige
• ASIN: B000FZET2K
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,622 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

(0888072300132)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Blues and Truth from one of the best., March 8, 2007

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Screamin the Blues: Rudy Van Gelder Remasters (Audio CD)

Oliver's talents as an arranger-composer were so much in demand that unfortunately he was not recorded nearly enough as a performer. On both the alto and tenor saxophones he's a force to contend wiith, a definitive, majestic improviser who plays without the least doubt, hesistancy or tentativeness: each extemporized solo is practically a finished composition. His only rival, in that regard, is Dexter Gordon.

On at least three occasions--the date preceding this one and the classic "Blues and the Abstract Truth"--Oliver was insistent on including the controversial, avant garde player, Eric Dolphy. For the most part, it was a good call on Oliver's part. On the opening, title track, Dolphy's squawking, talking bass clarinet sounds oddly out of place, but on the remaining tracks, all featuring Dolphy's alto saxophone, the exchanges are spirited and, despite the contrast or because of it, illuminating. Spurred by Dolphy's range-busting top tones and virtuosic technique and harmonic complexity, Nelson's consummate command is all the more impressive. No player employs tension and release more effectively than Oliver Nelson (check out, especially, his Perdido solo on "Soul Battle" and his solo on the title tune of "Mainstem"), who eschews scales and "running the changes" in favor of daring and bold statements, often reaching thrilling climaxes and triumphant resolutions.

With these musicians (including the underrated trumpeter Richard Williams), feeling blue is occasion for celebrating.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Oliver with Eric Dolphy, February 25, 2009

By 

Christopher Henrici (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Screamin the Blues: Rudy Van Gelder Remasters (Audio CD)

A very good record by Oliver Nelson. "Blues and the abstract truth" is always the one that gets the attention, but I'd say Eric Dolphy plays better on this one. Not too hard to find on OJC vinyl, barring that get this "RVG" cd.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars screamin' OLIVER, January 30, 2012

By 

Simon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Screamin the Blues: Rudy Van Gelder Remasters (Audio CD)

This is a recording of a session ful of good music and a sweeping fun.
Nelson was an excellent, non bulshit, saxophonist, a great arranger and a fine composer, and 5 from the 6 lovely tracks here are by him. In this session he plays with the great Dolphy, which is quite unexpected and even risky choice, but these two fantastic musicians are so attentive, open and warm to each other that the result is not less than fascinating and intriguing.
As for the other players, well, every recording with George Duvivier is a must, and not just to contra-bassophiles. The 6th track shows Richard Williams, the trumpet player, in a wizard display that makes him sounds like a ful brass section - you must listen to it to believe.

I compared side by side this new reissue to the former one (from 1991), and the new version is much better, and in every respect (the recording itself is lush, big and dynamic).
In addition to the original linear notes, there is an interesting note by Joe Goldberg.