This is my fourth review (1, 2, 3) in a series of releases from Prestige Records that feature remastered versions of his own originals by legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder, and in this instance we're listening to tenor sax immortal John Coltrane teamed with the Red Garland Trio. The title of the album is … Continue reading REVIEW: John Coltrane/Red Garland Trio – Traneing In
Category: Jazz
REVIEW: Stryker-Slagle Band – Latest Outlook
The Stryker-Slagle Band's new release, Latest Outlook, due out soon on the Zoho label, is the real thing, folks. Talented jazz musicians at the top of their game, playing together with a confidence gained by long-time collaboration, and offering an outstanding mix of music that should appeal to every fan of good jazz. Guitarist Dave … Continue reading REVIEW: Stryker-Slagle Band – Latest Outlook
REVIEW: Paul Brown & Friends – White Sand
I always feel a little torn when I do a review of a smooth jazz album, but in spite of the disregard in which it's held by many jazz fans, it is a very popular musical format. Personally I have a kind of love-hate relationship with it, although that might be a little strong -- … Continue reading REVIEW: Paul Brown & Friends – White Sand
Beatniks, Bongos, And Me
There was a period during my teen years when I toyed with the idea of becoming a "beatnik", but I don't think I was ever really serious. It's more likely that I was - like any teenager - just trying to find myself, and see if I could figure out where I was going with … Continue reading Beatniks, Bongos, And Me
The Music Of Peter Gunn – Beyond Mancini
In the late 1950's, a ground-breaking TV show caught my attention because of the very feature that made it revolutionary. It was just a private-eye show, but instead of using canned music for background it made the music part of the show, and even more unique, that music was jazz. This confluence of things occurred … Continue reading The Music Of Peter Gunn – Beyond Mancini
REVIEW: Van Gelder Series: Pat Martino -El Hombre
Guitar great Pat Martino is the subject of my third review (1, 2) from a series of albums released by Prestige (Concord) and based on the work of legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder. All the albums in the series were originally mastered by Van Gelder and he has now handled the modern remastering as … Continue reading REVIEW: Van Gelder Series: Pat Martino -El Hombre
Beatles Weren’t First British Musical Invasion
When I was a teenager, learning about big band music by listening to it with my friend Louie on his homebrew "hi-fi" (this was pre-stereo), I soon found myself becoming more and more familiar with the star bandleaders and their styles. I got pretty good at telling the difference between the music of Benny and … Continue reading Beatles Weren’t First British Musical Invasion
REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Plus 4
This is my second review of an album from a series issued by Prestige Records that features remastered music from legendary sound engineer Rudy Van Gelder. (For the backstory, refer to the earlier Jackie McLean review.) On this album, Sonny Rollins - Plus 4, we're turning back the clock over 50 years to take a … Continue reading REVIEW: Sonny Rollins – Plus 4
The Romantic Side Of The Great One – Jackie Gleason
When I was a kid, perched on the floor in front of our old black and white TV, one of shows we regularly watched starred a rotund gentleman with a cocky manner and a loud, abrasive voice. At the beginning of every show, he'd roll his eyes and say, "and awa-a-aay we go!". That was … Continue reading The Romantic Side Of The Great One – Jackie Gleason
REVIEW: Jackie McLean – 4, 5, And 6
Rudy Van Gelder was a renowned sound engineer who for a while in the 1950's and 1960's seemed to be a part of almost every jazz recording of any importance. Working for Blue Note, Prestige and others during that era, he produced recordings that were as perfect, crisp and sharp as could be made, given … Continue reading REVIEW: Jackie McLean – 4, 5, And 6
Geezer Music Club 