Peter Friedman

Brahms- Piano Trio No.1 - Suk Trio Brahms - Piano Trio No.2 and No.3 Borodin Trio

Of course it is all a matter of personal taste. At the time period that Lou Donaldson recorded with Clifford and with Blakey, he was among my favorite alto players. Ten years and more later, there were numerous alto players I greatly enjoyed while Lou had slipped far down the list of my favorites.

Features very good playing by Benny Bailey and Horace Parlan.

Cherubini String Quartet No.1 and No.2 - Melos Quartet

Was listening this morning to "Clifford Brown - Memorial Album" on Blue Note. This 1953 session has some truly fine alto playing by Lou Donaldson. There is no question (to me) that Lou was playing Bird inspired Bebop on this date. This may be my favorite Lou Donaldson playing on record . Lou also played in that style with Art Blakey, and perhaps as well on some of the early Jimmy Smith albums. But at some point Donaldson's played changed, and that earlier Bebop - Bird influenced style seemed to fade from his alto work. Perhaps (?) he discovered that he could appeal to a broader audience and benefit economically by moving into a Soul Jazz style. While I can enjoy some of his later playing, it is that Bebop oriented playing from that 1953 Blue Note date that stands out for me as the pinnacle of Lou Donaldson's recorded work.

Georghe, Glad to see that you have not completely turned away from bebop. Just read on another thread that you said your interest now is in music by Alice Coltrane and others. And no longer play or listen to Bebop, or Hard Bop. Some years ago I focused my attention on "Free or Avante-Garde" jazz. But after a while, I left that music behind me. It was not providing me with listening pleasure. I realized that the music I truly love has to (usually) swing and that Traditional Jazz, Swing, Mainstream, Bebop, West Coast Jazz and Hard Bop are the styles of jazz that bring a smile to my face and makes me feel good.

Beethoven Piano Sonatas No.1 & No.3 by Michael Korstick - above

To my ears, Jackie McLean had his own "Voice" back in the 50's . I first became a serious fan with Jackie's first album as leader on the Ad Lib label, and his sideman playing on "George Wallington Quintet - Live at Cafe Bohemia'. Both were recorded in 1955. I purchased both when they were first released on LP. Those two LPs infected me with a life long affection for the playing of Jackie McLean.