Customer Reviews

Trio Jeepy

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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This is one of my favorite CDs. Even though I have been listening to this recording for almost 10 years, the music always presents itself as exciting and refreshing. The focal point of this CD is the melody, as oppose to style or technique. The strength of Branford's sax is reinforced and magnified via the other 2 band members. What made this recording even more enjoyable is the liveness of the sound. This CD is a definite recommend, not only for jazz fans, but for all music fans!

The three previous reviews all tell the tale that this is indeed a very special jazz album. It is. 14 years later I'm amazed at how frequently I return to it, again and again and again.
This is a note to the audiophiles out there. You MUST own this one. Sonically as spectacular as anything recorded these days. If your system is up to it, the blast from Branford on "Three Little Words" will set you back in your chair as if he's right in the room with you.
Rarely does an album merit marks of excellence for both performance and sonics, but this one does in spades.
And yes, I'll spare you the CD versus record debate for another time ;-)

Occasionally, a musician comes on the scene who possesses the talent and courage to break the timeless tradition set way back by his elders. In jazz the tradition goes something like this... If the headman is a saxophonist his group usually features a pianist, bassist, drummer, and the occasional trumpeter. The order of the song is usually arranged thusly; head, sax solo, piano solo, bass solo, fours traded with drums, head. Now contrast that with Branford's rendition of Three Little Words found on Trio Jeepy, which implements uses of a sax and bass only. A false start begins the cut, followed by a heated argument on the favored chord changes(of which Branford wins). Branford angrily starts the head, which more closely resembles an elaborate, melodic solo rather than the classic melody, with a loud, piercing note. The late Milt Hinton is then allowed to showcase his superb musicianship on his playful, wood sounding walking bass solo (which are generally regarded by bassists). Finally, Branford rounds out the piece with his melodic solo, reminisant of his version of St. Thomas. The solos in this piece are brilliant, in the same category as So What, Giant Steps, and Maiden Voyage(in my opinion). I'm aware of the overuse of this line, but I'll say it anyways..."The song alone justifies the price of the album".

The powerful drum stylings of Jeffery "Tain" Watts are added to the other cuts, of which the sententious, soothing Nearness of You and the relaxed Makin' Whoopee are the most memorable. Trio Jeepy is a brilliant, awe inspired jazz masterpiece, and what I consider to be Branford's best work.

God Bless.

Trio Jeepy is the best jazz album in my collection. Yes, I have all the classics including "Kind of Blue" and virtually everything else that is seminal by Miles, Coltrane, Dolphy, Bird, Pres, Hawkins, Mingus, Monk, Ellington, Basie. You name it.
My Trio Jeepy is a 2 LP recording with gorgeous sound and a very realistic sound stage. It really does seem like the Judge, Milt Hinton, and his bass are hiding in the shadows only 9 or 10 feet away. Do get yourself a copy of this one, even if you have to settle for the CD.