JAZZY REVIEWS: The Last Blues Album, Volume One - Buddy Rich

 Any proponent of jazz will recognize the combo of tenor sax and electric organ as a recipe for fantastic possibilities. Some pull it off better than others, mainly from good engineering or precise musicianship. This album fully demonstrates exactly how this should be carried out. Titled “The Last Blues Album, Volume 1” (was there ever subsequent volumes?), this 1974 recording on the Groove Merchant label is spectacular in every aspect.

The lineup is a who’s who of great jazz in 70s. Headline drummer Buddy Rich, first class tenor player Illinois Jacquet, guitarist George Freeman, pianist Kenny Baron, organist Jimmy McGriff, and bassist Bobby Cranshaw fill the lineup. McGriff is by far one of the most underrated organists, one I favor greatly. He recorded several albums as the leader of both groups and big bands, and I always thought of him as the Count Basie of the Hammond B-3.

The selection of tunes is first rate, some originals and enough blues-inspired standards to make the album a very entertaining listen from the first groove to the last. Side A kicks off with a Benny Goodman/Charlie Christian composition “Soft Winds” which gets a fast blues treatment deserving of such a great melody line. Then “Sweet Georgia Brown” taken at a relaxed tempo, followed by bluesman Junior Parkers tune simply titled “How Long”. Side 2 opens with a very dirty blues treatment of a Buddy Rich/ Jimmy McGriff original called “Courage” and the side closes with guitarist George Freeman playing his own composition titled “Alright”.

This is one of those rare albums that is nearly perfect in every way. Musicianship and performance are first rate, the recording is excellent with crisp drums and deep bass, plus the organ is nicely captured. Finally, the selection of tunes is enjoyable with a nice range of tempos but all in keeping with the blues feeling. I am not sure if this about was reissued on CD due to the fact Groove Merchant Records was absorbed into Pickwick Book in the 70s. It is a shame if it is unavailable. A few copies of the vinyl are available on Discogs and eBay at a fairly reasonable cost.

Performance- 10 out of 10. Musicianship and solos are handled tastefully, and one is always surprised what is around the next bar of blues by each player.

Content- 10 out of 10. Excellent balance of bluesy standards and original compositions keeps the element of surprise high throughout.

Recording- 10 out of 10. Producer Sonny Lester went all out on this Groove Merchant wax, capturing the solid blues of the Hammond B-3 organ, Buddy Rich’s drums and the entire ensemble, never losing the intimate feeling of a powerful small group.