Art Blakey Music

It's wonderful that we can hear a 50 year old Paris concert by this legendary group. It's unfortunate that we had to sit too close to the drum kit and can't move for a better sound mix. But that is a minor distraction usually. I gave this 4 stars because there are better choices if you're just going to own one (or two). But if you might enjoy re-living a magical night in Paris, where The Jazz Messengers thrilled the crowd, this French CD will do the trick. (Note: Cover art and label are not as shown in illustration).

The first time I listened to this album, it was at a friend's and I have tried to find it for 2 years now. I think that "whisper not" is brobably the best version of the tune. If you appreciate Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, you cannot but love this record.

All seven tunes are interesting, with the well-know "Moanin'" as the big draw, but the incredibly beautiful "I Remember Clifford" as a second highlight. Art Blakey, drummer and leader, was famous for recruiting talent time and again for relatively short stints in his Jazz Messengers. This group includes Lee Morgan on trumpet, Benny Golson on tenor sax, Bobbie Timmons on piano, and Jymie Merritt on double bass. Each has wonderful moments on this disc. Golson is also credited with writing five of the songs.Timmons gets credit for the unforgettable "Moanin'" and the group also does "Justice" by T. Monk (whoever that is!) If you've read this far, you are interested in jazz and also in Art Blakey. So just buy it. You won't go wrong.

Live at The Paris Olympia with Lee Morgan and Benny Golson a week before the Club Saint Germain feast. Indeed some tunes would be repeated there. Highlights here are the only Messenger recording of Golson's Just By Myself, a 10 min. stretch out of Are You Real, and the Morgan feature-I Remember Clifford.

Live at The Paris Olympia with Lee Morgan and Benny Golson a week before the Club Saint Germain feast. Indeed some tunes would be repeated there. Highlights here are the only Messenger recording of Golson's Just By Myself, a 10 min. stretch out of Are You Real, and the Morgan feature-I Remember Clifford.