Junior Mance + Joe Temperley - Monk (2003)

In November of 2000 aboard a ship adrift on the Atlantic Ocean, reedman Joe Temperley joined pianist Junior Mance's Floating Jazz Festival Trio in what proved to be a perfect setting for a tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk. Like Monk, the waters beneath them were capable of powerful swings and torrents, and also like Monk, their music was pronounced amid a shroud of relative isolation.

Throughout this live set, Temperley and Mance - joined by the gifted rhythm section of bassist Peter Washington and veteran drummer Mickey Roker—drive Monk's music to deserved heights and moody lows. The opener, "Blue Monk," is given a gin-soaked treatment by Temperley's swaying bass clarinet, which is then reinforced by an appropriately blue-hued Mance solo and finally cemented by Washington's spot-lit rolls and picks.

On "Ask Me Now," Temperley cedes the floor to the trio, leaving them to take on one of Monk's more lyrical and melancholic works. They do so ably and with utmost care - evoking an image of Monk as the delicate dynamo he was. Another highlight is the group's work on the infectiously swinging "Rhythm-A-Ning." Mance pulls out all the stops from gate to gate, while Temperley, on baritone sax, flutters and flips his way through with remarkable dexterity.

From start to finish, it is evident that these four know their Monk. In fact, so familiar are they with the material that they infused it with a charming, lived-in quality which few other ensembles could manage. Their approach to the artist is hardly revolutionary, but rather warm, intimate and accustomed.

It's hard to say whether Monk ever sailed the seas on a sprawling cruiseliner, but thanks to Mance, Temperley and company we now know that setting would have agreed with him just fine. ~ by Riel Lazarus, AAJ.

Chiaroscuro Records, CR(D)370, 2003

Recorded 1^st, 4^th November, 2000 (#1-7) Aboard Queen Elizabeth 2, Atlantic Ocean;

28^th October, 1996 (#8) onboard S/S Norway, Caribbean Sea

Musicians:

Junior Mance - Piano

Joe Temperley - Soprano & Baritone Saxes, Bass Clarinet

Peter Washington - Bass

Keter Betts - Bass (#8)

Mickey Roker - Drums

Jackie Williams - Drums (#8)

Tracks:

1. Blue Monk (9:08)

2. Little Rootie Tootie (8:19)

3. Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are (7:25)

4. Ask Me Now (9:14)

5. I Mean You (7:48)

6. Rhythm-A-Ning (6:51)

7. Straight No Chaser (7:47)

8. Hackensack (9:43)

All Compositions by Thelonious Monk

Credits:

Producer SOS Productions with HOSS Inc. and Floating Jazz Festival

Recording, Remixing & Digital Mastering - Jon Bates [Downtown Sound]

Cover Design - Richard Merkin

Photography - Rollo Phlecks

Liner Notes - Paul Bacon

Doc Cheatham - It's A Good Life! (1983)

Doc was 77 years old when this album was recorded, but frankly you would never know.  He still had a surprising amount of power and stamina left in him - enviable by anyone's standards.  This album is a wonderful, feel good side with solid playing by all who appear.

In my opinion, its Doc's vocals that keep things interesting and pacing nicely.  He sings on several tracks and much like his horn, has lots of wind for each tune.

Certainly nothing groundbreaking here, but its a great mainstream joint for those of us who dig it.  This album is ultra minty, ripped in 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  I didn't use any editing tools - didn't need to.  Enjoy!!!!

The 77-year-old trumpeter proves to be very much in his prime during this excellent session. In fact Cheatham, who is backed by a fine rhythm section led by pianist Chuck Folds, dominates this set, taking melodic but passionate trumpet solos and contributing charming vocals. His versions of "Struttin' with Some Barbecue" and "You're Lucky to Me" are particularly memorable. - Scott Yanow / AMG