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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
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.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Today's playlist:

(1)Paul Chambers Quintet with: (1957)
donald byrd / cliff jordan / tommy flanagan / elvin jones

unexceptional Blue Note be-bop. A young Donald Byrd.

(2)The Sound Of Jazz (1958)
An attempt to introduce Jazz to the public by CBS televison. Nice enough. The highlight is hearing Billie Holiday. count basie, coleman hawkins and doc cheatham also on board. Great photos in the liner notes.

(3) Count On The Coast vol 1 (1958)
Big Band Jazz does not get better than this. Very tight playing. Count Basie and his orch with Joe Williams singing a few also. Al Grey is aboard on trombone. One of my favorite players!

(4)Smokin' At The Half-Note (1965)
Wes Montgomery and Wynton Kelly Trio. Critics say his (wes) best performance on record. Pat Metheny called it the Greatest Jazz Guitar Album ever!! And the solo on 'Unit 7', the best solo ever!! Won't get an arugument with me.

If you read about these guys you soon realize that they ALL knew each other! Played together and stayed together. Very close knit, this Jazz world.
Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
Paul Chambers Quintet: When I listen to jazz, I try to take my mind back to when the record was made. This was cut in the late 50's, and that's when "West Coast jazz" was hip. This music has a west coast jazz feel to it.

The Sound of Jazz: was the most impressive thing I've ever seen on TV about jazz. When I looked at Billie Holiday singing "Fine and Mellow", it brought tears to my eyes; that's because I know her life story, and I could feel it when she sang.

Gerry Mulligan on baritone is standing next to Coleman Hawkins, and they're both blowing for "Lady Day". She's listening, and you can tell by that expression of total inner contentment on her face that she's really digin it.

Wes Montgomery: "Bumpin On Sunset" takes me back to another time and place; back to beautiful ladies and swinging lounges where they were dancing to "The Philly Dog". The music you chose was before that time, it was before he became famous. "Around Midnight", from "The Wes Montgomery Trio" is my favorite version. It's the one with the album cover on "youtube". While there is a difference in his music between this time and that time, I like both times for different reasons. The music he made, that made him famous, conjures up visions; while the music he made before then is his best jazz, and is the most listenable.

Today, I'm into Yusef Lateef. Although he's been widely used as a sideman, I prefer the albums he's led. Right now I'm listening to "The Blue Yusef Lateef"; this album covers a lot of musical territory.

The way we're going now, is the way I think this thread should proceed.

Enjoy the music.
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