Customer Reviews

Without A Song: Live In Europe 1969

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
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First, Monk & Trane @ Carnegie, then Mingus @ Cornell, now this.
All I can say is, keep 'em coming. In 69', Hubb was brimming with confidence, ideas and youth, but the mostly standards program keeps things in the Milky Way, if not completely grounded on terra firma. The sonics are outstanding with the exception of some drop outs toward the end of Body and Soul. Hubb's tone has never sounded so strong, he was clearly a force of nature.

This is a fantastic album. The energy level is radio-active and the communication between the players is fantastic. It's a real pleasure to just sit back and listen to them converse with each other through their individual musical voices.

i love this cd due to the amazing performance not just by Hubbard but also by the entire band.
the tunes were selected such that
every member in the quartet had the opportunity to "shine".
the digital remaster added great quality to the original recording as you can hear the acoustic much better, more defined.
btw, there is no electronic element involved.
this is acoustic jazz at its best.

Most of what was already stated in the previous reviews is fairly on point, but misses an important omission on the part of the compilers and reviewer 'fans'. BASSIST RICHARD DAVIS was an important figure not credited with participation on this date, and being a bassist, I feel this is a blurb not to be unnoticed, nor to go un-cataloged. The MPS/BASF 'Hub Of Hubbard' date of '69 included Eddie Daniels and Richard Davis, Daniels not present here, as obviated by no saxophone inclusion in the unit. However, Davis was working as a personnel member of Freddie's unit, at least during this interval in '69, and for this European Tour, and the overlapping precedent or subsequent MPS/BASF studio recording date(s). One other Amazon member reviewer claiming to have the MPS record didn't even mention this! Ron Carter was working with Miles Davis at the time, and was in a period of attrition as the regular bassist personnel member with Miles. Dave Holland was stepping in/doubling for the [...] Brew date and other early fusion Miles. Carter joined Hubbard regularly (among many others) for the immediately following Creed Taylor/ CTI label dates over the next few years, and free-lanced as he always has since the sixties. One other point of note is that Richard Davis' instrument and Ron Carter's instrument had different timbres, and tuning. The conception, form, and attack of both bassists was/is different as well (though borrowed and saluted from Carter closely by Davis in solos and ensembles) on this record. BUT, the bassist here, I would wager anytime, anywhere, was NOT Ron Carter, but in fact Richard Davis. Logistics, itineraries, time period, contracts(if found) and the above-mentioned technical attributes, to the astute listener/student, would discount any adjutant's less than acute rebuttal of this negligence of fact, and case(s) in point/on point. The only way Carter may/could have been present (other than as a ghost or hologram) was 1.) as a guest; 2.) played on some tunes herein, and 3.) if so, he borrowed Richard Davis' instrument. Ron Carter's instrument is not present here, as I stated before, because of the timbre/factual-sonic/presence ISSUES. Blue Note should be more astute, even ashamed as they could do no wrong in my book, until errors on recent reissues such as the misnomer of Andrew Hill's masterpiece 'Wailing Wall' s 'Wailing Wail' on the 'Smokestack' album cd reissue of late, and now here, with the Hubbard band of this 1969 period personnel mistake and omission. Mr Hubbard's illness at the time of re-production of this cd in 2008, his age, wear on him, and the amount of time elapsed since 1969 may/should/and did in my observation excuse him from not noting this, if so, but not Blue Note. Thanks. RG

Just listened to it for the first time. Freddie truly delivers here and is at his peak ! Every track is amazing and rhythm section is great as well. This is a must have addition for any trumpet player or collector who loves Freddie Hubbard ! Rest in Peace Freddie and blow that trumpet together with Angels in Heaven.

Wow! Just wow! I've enjoyed Freddie Hubbard's work as a sideman, on albums like Speak No Evil with Wayne Shorter, and Blues & The Abstract Truth with Oliver Nelson, but haven't had as much luck with Freddie's own albums -- until now. This is a hidden gem.

This will always remain on my top shelf.

Music performed live with life, as God intended!