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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
 

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,
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
I watched about half of "A Joyful Noise" I will finish it tomorrow. It's very compelling. Hard to look away. I have gained a new respect for Sun Ra and his music. I think he is sorta like Monk in costume. :) But I am not sure I would like it on CD. I do have at least one of his on LP. Thanks for the tip.
Cheers

http://vimeo.com/3164191
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, I think your criticism and critique of Donald Bird are both accurate and concise. In regard to Pepper Adams and Gerry Mulligan, it's a case of orange or blue.

While both Adams and Mulligan have records I could live without, both have records I wouldn't want to live without. Since you already know about Adams, I'll touch upon Mulligan. On the movie sound track "I Want To Live", he's the primary artist and his brooding baritone sets the mood for the entire movie. This music is also an excellent example of "West Coast Jazz", which I thought was hip at the time, but it came and went. No aficionado's collection is complete without it, if for no more than to know what it is.

I stated "A food critic must sample many dishes before he knows which is best". This critic has sampled many dishes that belonged in the garbage, and that's where I'll leave them. In this stage and phase of our lives as "jazz aficionado's", it's time to focus on the best and forget about the rest, that eliminates tangents like "Sun Ra". Fortunately, "we" meaning those of us who are still posting, are fairly "sympatico" in regard to what's best.

Apparently most of the "aficionados" have gone elsewhere, consequently we're all that's left; therefore, this thread has officially become, "The best of the best and leave the rest".

HAPPY TURKEY DAY TO ALL.
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