Ok then, next up on the alphabetical listening journey, Grand Funk Railroad through Jim Hall.
Grand Funk Railroad – Closer to Home – I’m not sure how to listen to this record objectively. So many things about this LP are antithetical to…well, I guess maybe not so much antithetical as, in hindsight, somewhat…forgive me…cheesy. But I LOVE this album. I must have listened to this about half has many times as Led Zeppelin II, which means about a million times. This band is funkier than Rush and less elfin, but at the same time every song is a journey. I love this freaking record. Can’t stop myself. Even the background vox on “Get it Together,” which have to be the single widest-vibrato moment in music history. Somehow, the opening groove on “I Don’t have to Sing the Blues” sounds fresh; like from a Beck album.
Wardell Gray – Central Avenue – A fantastic compilation of Gray’s work, including the definitive version of “Twisted” (Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, and then, later, Joni Mitchell would cover this with Ross’ vocalese lyrics). It also has the definitive version of “Easy Living,” which I say knowing that there are amazing versions by Billie Holiday and Clifford Brown. But, hey, this one is amazing. And, much to my surprise and amazement, this has bass solos by Tommy Potter! That, like, never happened. It’s great to hear what he has to say. Fantastic, Pettiford-like, bassist. It’s funny how much Clark Terry sounds like Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie. I guess, they probably sound like Clark, but the similarities are all there. And Sonny Criss sounds like a combination of Eric Dolphy and Ornette Coleman, with a healthy dose of Charlie Parker, but 15 years or so before Dolphy and Coleman. The recordings with Dexter Gordon are essential. I guess my only negative comment is about the congas on side 4. I have always had an issue with the “straight eighth” conga versus the “swing eighth” in the rest of the band. It makes for an uncomfortable groove, in my opinion. Wardell Gray does a great job, though. In some of his phrases, he straightens out the eighth note to better match what’s happening in the congas.
Johnny Griffin – You Leave Me Breathless – He leaves me breathless because, man, he just never stops having great ideas. Wow. The band and the label (Black Lion) make me wonder if this was really a Dexter Gordon date. Kenny Drew, Niels Henning Orsted-Pedersen, and Albert “Tootie” Heath was Gordon’s band around that time. They sound – and Griffin, too – totally amazing on this record.
Johnny Griffin/Art Taylor Quartet – The JAMFs are Coming! – Ok, use your imagination for the title. If you need help, Google it. This LP is a great live date, with a couple of American cats and some Dutch cats playing a gig in Germany. In particular, Rein De Graaf is fantastic. Swingin’ date! And, man, Art Taylor is amazing!
Steve Grossman Trio – Way Out East, Vol. 2 – I don’t have Vol. 1 of this set…need to look for it. I love Joe Chambers and Juni Booth, so this record is a total pleasure to listen to! It’s on Red Records, an Italian label that also has a bunch of amazing Jerry Bergonzi records…
Jim Hall & Ron Carter – Alone Together – A live duo date from the Playboy Club in NYC on August 4, 1972. It’s great. They play fantastically together, and there is such a great combination of arranging and spontaneity that there is a surprise around every corner. Great, great record.
Enjoy,
R.