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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
 

Snakeyp, initially I was one of those purists who cried "foul, it ain't jazz". I went to the record store and bought a Donald Byrd LP, when I put it on and heard something different, "What's this"? If you went to the liquor store and bought what you thought was cognac, and tasted wine when you drank it, imagine your disappointment.

After I heard the same music much later, I accepted it for what it was "funk", now I'm a wine connoisseur. This is "social music", you can even dance to it. When Donald came out with this music, most of his fans were past that phase of their life. While hanging in the park groovin after dark, was a long ago memory, I could still relate to it, and I say to you "If grooving is your thing, then you and your sweet lady groove on".
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok and Charles, we are in total agreement in regard to the top 3 ladies. Carmen is my girl too, she sounds the most seductive.

I remember Clifford, he left us much too soon. "Sassy Swings Again" will be in my collection, "Sweet Georgia Brown" or not. Nancy is already well represented, including with Cannonball.

This is the best jazz discussion I've ever had here, keep it going.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, I just discovered a video cassette in my collection of "Sun Ra". The title is "A Joyful Noise", and it includes his band when they lived in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia.

If you want to know more about "Sun Ra" and his music, I highly recommend "A Joyful Noise".
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Getting back to the OP's original comments, I do have a habit of going off on tangents.

I did listen to all the youtube clips you mentioned. My not so 'expert' review is as follows:

Cristo Redentor: Excellent playing. Byrd has outstanding tone on the trumpet. This is what the critics call 'straight Ahead Jazz'. very enjoyable I will have to check out his Blue Note stuff.

Fuego: The best of all the cuts in my opinion. Again his tone is wonderful. Great ensemble playing. 5 Stars :)

Here I Am: You are right about Pepper. I only have a few by Mulligan so we can just agree to crown Pepper King of the Baritone!!

Now the not so great:
DB & the blackbyrds - Rock Creek Park.
The vocal parts were just Toooo monotonous, and not much was going on over the vocals. This is the type music that requires that the listener be doing some other activity or be distracted while it's being played. Partying, Dancing, be in a large crowd. Not to sit down and listen to.

Street lady: Same as the above. Maybe this was when everyone had to be 'high' to enjoy music.

BTW, I have a Donald Byrd CD other than Harlem Blues. I have a CD entitled 'Pepper Adams Quintet 10 to 4 at the 5 Spot'. Group is comprised of Adams, Byrd, Elvin Jones, Doug Watkins and Bobby Timmons (one of O-10's favorites)

Today I listened to Bernard Purdie. Anyone know of him? He may be in the same 'groove' as later byrd

I noticed that I liked all of his Blue Note stuff. I think he just evolved beyond me. Sort of like late Coltrane and Miles. But I ain't dead yet, so there is always a chance I will love them yet!! It's happened before. Thanks for the posts.
Cheers
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I have numerous recordings of both Pepper Adams and Gerry Mulligan. Two true masters of the baritone saxaphone,yet each with very different sound.Pepper was outstanding with hard bop,blues and could also play the most touching ballads.His version of Thad Jone`s "A Child is Born" is just fabulous.

An excellent Gerry Mulligan CD is "Night Lights" utterly beautiful baritone sax playing. This CD also features superb trumpet and flugelhorn playing by Art Farmer,it`s a classic.
Regards,
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