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.
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