Ted Curson, born in 1935 in Philadelphia, participated in some great Mingus albums such as Mingus At Antibes or Mysterious Blues; he is also featured on Archie Shepp's Fire Music and other albums. Ted Curson recorded this album in April 1961 in New York with some of his usual accomplices like tenor sax Bill Barron (Kenny's brother) or Roy Haynes on drums (on 4 tracks), Eric Dolphy on 2 tracks. Kenny Drew is on piano, Jimmy Garrison on double bass. Danny Richmond replaces Roy on 3 tracks and Pete La Roca on two. This is, I believe, his first album as a leader. After a very orientalist version of "Caravan" a little waltz from Ted “Nosruc Waltz”, then a beautiful ballad with guest Éric Dolphy on flute. Five original compositions by Ted follow, where "Flatted Fifth" stands out and the beautiful theme of "Bali-H'ai" (composed by Hammerstein and Rodgers) where Dolphy shines. A good disc to discover this musician. ~ Philippe A, AMG. [Translated from French]
Old Town, OT LP 2003, 1961
Fresh Sounds Records, FSR 1622, 2004
Recorded April, 1961 in New
York City
Musicians:
Ted Curson - Trumpet
Bill Barron - Tenor Saxophone
(#1,2,4-6,8,9)
Eric Dolphy - Flute (#3,7)
Kenny Drew - Piano
Jimmy Garrison - Bass
Roy Haynes - Drums (#1,3,6,7)
Dannie Richmond - Drums
(#2,4,9)
Pete La Roca - Drums (#5,8)
Tracks:
1. Caravan {Irving Mills,
Duke Ellington, Juan Tizol} (2:53)
2. Nosruc {Ted Curson} (6:16)
3. The Things We Did Last
Summer {Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne} (4:23)
4. Dem's Blues {Ted Curson}
(3:41)
5. Ahma [See Ya] (Ted Curson}
(4:21)
6. Flatted Fifth {Ted Curson}
(3:34)
7. Bali-H'ai {Oscar
Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern} (3:55)
8. Antibes {Ted Curson}
(5:04)
9. Mr. Teddy {Teddy Curson}
(5:10)
Total Time: 39:21
Credits:
Producer - Hy Weiss
Produce [Reissue] - Jordi
Pujol
Post Production - Duncan
Cowell
Mastering - Krieg Wunderlich
Package Design - Chris Popham
Liner Notes - John Crosby,
Nat Hentoff
