April 11, 2015

"The Compositions Of Benny Golson"

April 11, 2015/ Eric

This is a bit of an odd album, a jazz compilation of the kind that were popular in the late 1950's and early 1960's, but one that focuses on the compositions of a single artist. Just like today, I'm sure these were viewed as an economical way for the labels to make money without having to pay the musicians or book studio time. The Compositions of Benny Golson is part of the "Jazz Master-Composers" series that Riverside put out in 1962 and 1963 to highlight, as the liner notes put it: "the unique presentation of works by some of the most significant, interesting and influential writers of the world of modern jazz."

March 25, 2015

Art Farmer & Benny Golson Jazztet - "Another Git Together"

March 25, 2015/ Eric

Another Git Together is a hard bop lover's dream, and while listening to it I couldn't help but wonder why this group isn't held in higher regard in the history of jazz's golden age. Golson has always been appreciated as an accomplished jazz composer, but Farmer often seems to get lost in the pantheon of great trumpet players who appeared in the late 1950's and 1960's. Yet, the more I hear his playing, the more it becomes obvious the dude didn't take a backseat to anyone.