Customer Reviews

Sonny Clark Trio

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

 

 

Sonny Clark always chose the best sidemen, when he led a recording session. Like on his marvellous quintet album "Cool Struttin'", on bass and drums we have the very best musicians of their time, namely Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones, so be prepared for some great music. Though also known as a good composer, here Sonny Clark concentrates on bop standards written by Gillespie or Dameron. It's quite interesting to compare his version of "Be-Bop" with Bud Powell's interpretations of that tune. You will notice, that Clark cannot be called one of those numerous Powell imitators, he's got a different, more "funky" touch and phrasing. About the other tunes on that album, just let me say, that I was surprised to hear his romantic solo version of "I Remember April", usually played at fast tempo. "One Bass Hit" also is quite a surprise with Clark choosing the original big-band arrangement of that tune with it's change of the key from C-major into D-flat for solos. Really a most enjoyable trio-album.

This album from 1957 excellently captures what was definitive of jazz at that time, and in so doing became one of the best jazz albums of all time. Sonny Clark never had as big a name as other prominent pianists of the day, but he deserves to be prominently remembered. His style on this album obviously echoes with the style of Bud Powell but (like the great Dave McKenna on his trio recordings from this same time period) his playing also brings with it a smooth lyricism that is new. Sonny Clark's playing on this album has the sound of beautiful perfection, and (along with the great work of Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums) the playing really swings. The tunes are all ones recorded many times by many others, but these renditions really set the standard for how these "standards" sound. "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" is particularly strong. This is a great album to introduce jazz to someone, and also is an essential study album for anyone seriously interested in the art form. I recommend it very highly.

Sonny Clark was no joke in his time, despite the obvious similarity to the style of Bud Powell (who hasn't adapted some facet of Bud's style?), Sonny Clark's playing on this album belongs to nobody but himself. I should have bought this album a long while ago, I was unsure whether or not Sonny Clark would have a strong enough creative presence as a leader, but I was wrong to doubt it. This album swings hard (thanks to Mr P.C. and Philly Joe Jones of course), and Sonny's playing does indeed have the luminosity of an assured and authoritative jazz pianist and trio leader. His nonconventional rubato solo treatment of "I'll Remember April" is a demonstration of his own personal style of pianistic creativity and emotion. Philly Joe Jones treats us to double-time during clark's solo in "Softly..." which almost made me stamp my foot right through the floor.

If Kenny Drew Jr. sounds a little like a Bill Evans look-alike, Sonny Clark is all in the mold of Bud Powell. And this isn't bad. In fact, Clark's single note right hand improvisational runs are masterful. They are interesting, engaging, and skillfully done, and all with spirit and drive. Not as much as Bud's, but who was as crazy as Bud? This trio album is a fine one, and anyone who loves the classic 40's-50's bebop style, or wants to be introduced to it, should get this album. "I Didn't Know What Time It Was." is done in medium tempo and is the national anthem of bebop, much like "Indiana" was for trad jazz. Sonny plays solo piano on one of the cuts, showing his consummate skill as a "pianistic" piano, but when he has the rhythm section behind him, which, in this album, is THE rhythm section of jazz, it is all right-hand single note runs, and his are carefully constructed without losing the spirit of "on-the-run" high risk taking improvisation, which was the challenge and excitement of classic bebop. This is a wonderful alum.

Sonny Clark was the master of bop piano, behind Bud Powell of course. He was a soulful, master, and tasteful player. This is a soulful album!

The fast bop tune, 'Bebop' starts off the album. The song is a Dizzy Gillespie original. It's one of my favorite songs. The tune features a lengthy blues solo by Clark, as well as solos by Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones who finish off the trio.

The swinging three run through such tunes as 'I Didn't Know What Time It Was,' I'll Remember April, Tadd's Deligt,' and 'Softly as In A Morning Sunrise.'

The showcase for Philly Joe Jones, Two Bass Hit, written by John Lewis. The tune can also be heard on Miles Davis's Milestones, with Jones on drums also.

This was recorded a couple months before Clark's classic, Cool Struttin. The album basically took off from this album here. If you love 1950's bop, this album is for you. Not a bad note! Very enjoyable.

Five Stars.

This is just some downright seriously good piano/bass/drum trio work from bop pianist Sonny Clark. The trio sounds bigger than just three members as it's good bop for the most part. It kind of tails off a bit on the last two songs but still overall this is very good.

It's high-quality straight-up jazz. Recommended for piano & bop jazz fans.

People new to jazz may want to start with Sonny Clark's "Cool Struttin'" release first.

Sonny Clark was quite underappreciated during his short career. If you only know of him thru COOL STRUTTIN' then be sure to check out some of his other recordings. All of his Blue Note recordings are recommended. SONNY CLARK TRIO is one of those satisfying Blue Note records that simmers with energy and style. Sonny, Philly Joe Jones and Paul Chambers all lock into these great grooves and milk them for all they are worth. Although I wouldn't call this an essential jazz recording, there is more than enough great material for me to recommend it. It's nice to hear trio versions of "Tadd's Delight" and "Two Bass Hit" after hearing Miles Davis perform them with larger groups. The opener "Be-Bop" is a nice swinging tune and "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" is equally enjoyable. An enjoyable set by a tight group.

Recommended.

|The Sonny Clark Trio|
Sonny Clark-piano
Paul Chambers-bass
Philly'Joe'Jones-drums

|Listing of Tunes|:
"I Didn't Know What Time It Was"(Richard Rogers/Lorenz Hart)Alt.take
"I Didn't Know What Time It Was"(Richard Rogers/Lorenz Hart)
"Two Bass Hit(John Lewis)Alt.take
"Two Bass Hit"(John Lewis)
"Be-bop"(D.Gillespie)
"Tadd's Delight"(Tadd Dameron)Alt.take
"Tadd's Delight"(Tadd Dameron)
"Softly and the Morning Sunrise"(Sigmund Romberg)
"I'll Rembember April"(DePaul-Johnston-Raye)|solo piano|

Sonny Clark,one of the great back up pianist and leaders of the late 50's and the early 60's,was also a prolific composer in his own right, producing some remarkable small ensemble recording and superb trio sessions during his tenure recording for Blue Note Records.Profoundly influenced by Bud Powell,Sonny,eventually,found his 'own voice'.He had a special touch and approach,his lyrical genuis was uncanny .His approach to the piano was unassuming,humble,it didn't shout at you or 'grab you by the collar'.A brilliant idea man,with amazing ears.He is backed in this recording by two of the greats in the buisness,Paul Chambers(bass),and Philly 'Joe' Jones on drums.
Sonny shines on 'Tadd's Delight' and 'I Didn't Know What Time It Was' with the crisp support from Chambers and Philly 'Joe'.
He takes on the challenge of 'Be-bop',a very difficult tune,and pulls it off with his typical finesse.Sonny Clark's touch is one of a kind.I hope you enjoy the session,as you are listening to a great melodic thinker.

This is an interesting disc though rather untypical of Clark's Blue Note dates. One misses the tang of horns--Clark always sounded best with some other players to bounce off of, & his masterpieces remain _Leapin' & Lopin'_ with Rouse & Tommy Turrentine & _Cool Struttin'_ with McLean & Farmer--& it's a pity that the program is all bop warhorses rather than including any of Sonny's own compositions (he was one of the better hardbop tunesmiths of the period). Still, it's nice to get a chance to hear Sonny with the spotlight to himself, sounding a little more directly indebted to Bud & Horace than he does in other contexts but still unmistakably himself. He handles a blisteringly hot & fast "Be-Bop" without strain, but to hear Clark at his best you want the tracks at a slower pace, where his distinctive push-pull sense of swing & clipped articulation at the keyboard come fully into play: a nice "I Didn't Know What Time It Was", midtempo though played a little faster than usual; a relaxed, very inventive "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise"; & a nice surprise right at the end of the disc, a 5-minute unaccompanied piano solo, a ballad reading of "I'll Remember April".

Not quite the best sample of Clark's work, this is nonetheless a very nice disc, & essential listening if you're a fan of his work. Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones are, as you'd expect, entirely sympathetic partners.

Merci de votre diligence, le colis est arrivé ce matin. Bon état. Mais les frais ont augmenté n'est ce pas ?