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Donald Byrd


I recall reading a thread written by a young man who came into possession of a large collection of Donald Byrd records under very sad circumstances, his father had passed.

Although he was sad, he shared with us how incredible this new music was that he had inherited. He renewed my enthusiasm for Donald Byrd. Me and Donald go back a long way, all the way back to my beginning as a jazz fan. I consider him one of the "giants of jazz", and I bet even the Rok will agree on that.

True jazz giants continually evolve, and Donald's evolution is well established in my collection. He began with "hard bop", and next was "A New Perspective/ Donald Byrd band and voices", this was a big hit at that time. Although I liked every cut on that LP, "Christo Redentor" was my favorite.

Donald Byrd & the Blackbirds was his next stage of evolution. This time he featured a vocal group called "The Blackbirds" with his band. At this stage of his evolution, many of his long time fans revolted, "How dare he ruin pure jazz with a vocal group". I was one of them. After I expressed my indignation by selling the LP I had just purchased, I came around to liking it and couldn't find a new copy, but I'm human and that's the way it goes.

This is my list of samplers for Byrd's various stages of evolution that can be found on "youtube". "Fuego" is not only my example of Donald Byrd's "hard bop", it is the personification of "hard bop". "Byrd In Hand" featuring Pepper Adams on baritone sax is another favorite of mine. I especially like the cut "Here Am I", Pepper Adams really cooks on that baritone. While Gerry Mulligan is very well known, and considered by many to be the best jazz baritone, Pepper Adams also ranks very high in my book. "Street Lady" by Byrd was an album I wore out. "Donald Byrd & the Blackbirds" was the LP I didn't like initially, sold it, and then couldn't find a new copy when I decided it belonged in my collection.

Just as a food critic must sample many dishes to determine which one's he thinks are best, an audiophile has to sample many records and CD's to determine which one's belong in his collection. Maybe after sampling, you will determine some of this music belongs in your collection.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Charles1dad, ages ago, I would argue whether or not this artist, or that artist was the best on his chosen instrument, and I would argue my point till the cows came home. Since we were in the city, the cows never came home.

Now, as far as I'm concerned, it's the same as debating which is the best color, orange or blue? Is Lee Morgan better than Donald Byrd? I'm sure he is if we compare one unique aspect of Lee Morgan's playing with that same aspect of Donald Byrd's playing.

I don't listen like that, nor do I hear like that. When I listen to Lee Morgan, I'm in a jazz lovers paradise. When I listen to Donald Byrd, I'm in paradise still, although it's a bit different from the one I left with Lee Morgan.

Is orange better than blue? Orange is a very beautiful color when I'm looking at orange, but so is blue when I'm looking at blue.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hi Orpheus10,
Just so there`s no misunderstanding I`m at all not interested in ranking "who`s better". I was simply referring to who I like/prefer which is different. For example I prefer DHT SET amps but would`nt proclaim they`re the best amps period and the best choice for everyone else.I deeply enjoy many jazz musicians for their own style,contributions and approach. Hope I cleared that up.
Regards,
qdrone
1,039 posts
 
One of my favorite Byrd/Adams albums was Royal Flush. I prefer Adams to Mclean who also worked with Byrd alot,just taste I guess.
Adams on this outing is more laid back,shows more restraint as he moves around the holes in the music. This was Herbie Hancocks debut but he sounds like a seasoned veteran here tickling the ivory.
I really like Feugo too,thats a real kicker of an album.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
Charles1dad, you cleared it up all the way and I'm with you. The fact that we are all "audiophile's" and have rigs that add so much to the music we heard ages ago is icing on the cake.

Enjoy the music.
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Donald Byrd, talk about a blast from the past! As a young man I wore the grooves out of my copy of Black Byrd! I remember seeing him at Carnegie Hall with Gil Scott-Heron's Midnight Band. As I recall, Byrd's Jazz/Funk band had a hard time following GSH, but it was a great night of music nonetheless.
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