Frank Butler's second and last recording as a leader followed his first by just under one year. He retains the same rhythm section as on The Stepper (Dolo Coker and Monty Budwig), while featuring two tenor saxophonists, Joe Farrell and Teddy Edwards, this time around. Missing are the longer drum solos of the earlier album; instead the focus is primarily on the two saxes. Edwards wrote the opening up-tempo blues "Wheelin' and Dealin'," which turns into an old-fashioned tenor battle, with both men coming out victorious. The ballad medley is split, with Farrell taking "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good") and Edwards playing "Tenderly," though the latter's solo gets the nod. Butler is showcased briefly in a snappy treatment of ‘Four" and more extensively in Coker's "Mr. October." Since this long out of print Xanadu LP is a bit more accessible than its predecessor, it will especially appeal to lovers of hard bop.
2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster)
3. Tenderly (Walter Gross, Jack Lawrence)
4. Four (Eddie Vinson, Miles Davis)
5. Secret Love (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster)
6. My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Rose Moy)
7. Mr. October (Charles 'Dolo' Coker)
Teddy Edwards, Joe Farrell (ts), Dolo Coker (p), Monty Budwig (b), Frank Butler (d)
Los Angeles, CA. October 22, 1978
email for link; grumpywon(a)gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSUCH A COOL ALBUM! So cool to get a pristine copy - grateful as always my friend
ReplyDeleteAh ! magnifique...Teddy Edwards ! curious to hear him blowing with Joe The Killer Farrell ! Such a two different syles....
ReplyDeleteWhat a stellar line-up! Thanks for the rip and share.
ReplyDeleteWow!! have never seen this one. This looks incredible. Thanks for the share Grumpy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Grumpy! Some really solid straight ahead playing. I really dug "Four," "My Cherie Amour," and "Mr. October." Thanks for your generosity, man. Keep swingin, - ndhjazz-
ReplyDeleteThere's never enough Joe Farrell!!! Looking forward to hear this one...
ReplyDeleteFantastic and happy tenor battle on some cuts. Very interesting to check there´s no such a big "old and new school" difference between Edwards and Farrell. Very enjoyable indeed.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Thanks once again Grumpy!
Thanks for another good stuff!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed! Great job on the digital transfer & a very fine bit of music. Thanks Grumpy.
ReplyDeleteAmazing tenor work form the jump - thanks a million for the link, NH Loves You, Grumpy
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Grumpy !!!
ReplyDeleteA very pleasing platter, grumpy, it's nice to hear Farrell in such good form here. One tends to forget how proficient a musician Joe was, although his Xanadu work is all top notch.
ReplyDeleteHave loved Butler since hearing his "MopMop" with Ben Webster at the Renaissance. Wonderful to see he still had the respect of such fine West Coast players at this point in his career. Papa Jo Jones once said Frank was the finest drummer alive! And i really dig Schlitten's notes about the 100 year old Senegal drum acquisition!
ReplyDeleteOh, and terrific rip quality!
ReplyDelete