Next up on the listening project are recordings by traditionalists. By that I mean, Johnny Hodges (who defined a few traditions) and Art Hodes (who lived them).
Art Hodes – Just the Two of Us – I purchased this duo lp because the other half of the duo – Milt “The Judge” Hinton – is way too awesome. This album is very old school, and there isn’t much about it that feels envelope pushing. On the other hand, the pianistic traditions are so clear, and every single thing that Milt plays on this record is classic, so hey, it was worth way more than whatever I paid for it. Milt’s groove is so strong and unwavering, his lines so clear, and even the slapping (check out “Milt Jumps”) is killer! This is worth checking out, for sure, but have your ‘tradition’ ears on.
Johnny Hodges
The Rabbit in Paris – A totally great, swinging, classic record that has a jam session feel, but is loaded with great playing. Don Byas! This is an early leader date for Hodges, having been in Ellington’s band since 1936, these 1951 recordings were a rare step out of Duke’s shadow. He stuck it out as a leader until the 1960s, making some really great recordings. Yes, again, Don Byas! But Jimmy Hamilton, Wendell Marshall, and Sonny Greer (all Ellington alumni) are amazing on this record too. On side 2, they play some classic Ellington tunes, “Perdido” and “Mood Indigo,” and their version of “Sweet Lorraine” is an instant classic.
The Smooth One – A two-fer of large group sessions with Hodges as leader, recorded in 1959-60. Man ,these are great. Swinging and understated, with amazing cats like Ben Wester, Jimmy Hamilton, Ray Brown, Jo Jones, Aaron Bell, Lawrence Brown, Harold Ashby, Jimmy Jones, and the incomparable Sam Woodyard. I guess Jo Jones should be the incomparable one, but Woodyard is my man – incredible!
Everybody Knows – Ok, this is a total must-listen. I mean, seriously. This album is killing – it swings like crazy, has every classic move that the swing era had, and features some of the most amazing musicians of the time. Ray Nance and Cat Anderson! Lawrence Brown and Britt Woodman! Russell Procope, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney and Paul Gonsalves (wait – is this a Duke album?)! Jimmy Jones, Ernie Shepard and Grady Tate! Just, really, way too slick. And man, I’m confessin’ that I always loved the way that Harry Carney played “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart,” and this recording is among the best.
Triple Play – Another great one. This one has three bands from two recording sessions, and each group is fantastic. I love hearing Roy Eldridge, Hank Jones, Tiny Grimes and Milt Hinton with Hodges – a nice change to, I guess, “modernists(?)” from the more swing-era cats. But with those kids or with his contemporaries and/or Ellington alumni – of which there are tons on this record – the whole thing swings. A pleasure.
Enjoy,
R