Tina Brooks

[MartyJazz]

Thanks for posting that, Jim R. An American original LP is worth quite a bit, I would say. Looks like you have a British release or did you cop that jpg on a website?

[Jim R]

Marty,

I don't own any vinyl of this (I bought the Boplicity CD when it was released, in 1995). The Felsted/London cover above comes from the amazing Japanese site that's been discussed here on the board.

Regarding that Boplicity cover... I had almost given up finding an image online, and as a last resort I checked at AMG, under the Freddie Redd (Blue Note) "Music From The Connection" listing. I had a feeling AMG might have screwed up and put it there, and lo and behold... That error should really be corrected, but I don't feel like writing to AMG three times and hoping for them to fix it by the year 2010...

Edited May 27, 2004 by Jim R

[mikeweil]

First, wasn't it also said that Alfred was dissatisfied with the Minor Move session because the ensembles were a little less precise than he liked?

Also, doesn't it also say in the Mosaic booklet something along the lines (and I think this was Jackie McLean speaking) that Tina wasn't a real aggressive guy when it came to hustling gigs, etc.? Maybe it wasn't drug problems but a personality ill-suited to the competitive NYC scene?

I am too lazy to dig out my copy of the booklet, but IIRC, you're right with both.

[MartyJazz]

Marty,

I don't own any vinyl of this (I bought the Boplicity CD when it was released, in 1995).  The Felsted/London cover above comes from the amazing Japanese site that's been discussed here on the board.

Regarding that Boplicity cover... I had almost given up finding an image online, and as a last resort I checked at AMG, under the Freddie Redd (Blue Note) "Music From The Connection" listing.  I had a feeling AMG might have screwed up and put it there, and lo and behold...    That error should really be corrected, but I don't feel like writing to AMG three times and hoping for them to fix it by the year 2010...

I don't own the vinyl of this either but my CD copy is Japanese and consequently, the original cover is reproduced as are the liner notes which, of course, require a magnifying glass to read. B)

Thanks for posting that Japanese site. I'll enjoy going there, I'm sure.

Edited May 28, 2004 by MartyJazz

[blue lake]

I bought a copy of the Boplicity CD through Stereo Jacks in Cambridge. It was a while ago, but they actually had a few in stock.

[Vincent, Paris]

Still waiting for the reissue of 'The Connection' album he recorded with Freddie Redd (and Howard McGhee) for Felsted. My secondhand copy is slowly giving up.

Brownie,

I bought my copy (CD) a few years ago at Croco Jazz, not far from you home I believe. Gilles might still have a copy. Apparently this has been disrupted by Boplicity, since the album is no longer listed on their website (even if they allude to it on the left side of the screen)

[brownie]

Still waiting for the reissue of 'The Connection' album he recorded with Freddie Redd (and Howard McGhee) for Felsted. My secondhand copy is slowly giving up.

Brownie,

I bought my copy (CD) a few years ago at Croco Jazz, not far from you home I believe. Gilles might still have a copy. Apparently this has been disrupted by Boplicity, since the album is no longer listed on their website (even if they allude to it on the left side of the screen)

Vincent, thanks for the tip. Did not see a CD copy of this when I checked Jazz Corner earlier this month.

But I relistened to my original Felsted (the French issue, an exact replica of the US/British one) and it sounded better than I remembered. So unless Gilles has a copy and agrees to sell it at a reasonable price, I'll stick with the LP.

[Guest youmustbe]

When Tina was in The Connection, the play would run 15-20 longer. He would always play beyond his alloted time.

[Guest ariceffron]

did tina ever make a non-BN lp??? any bootlegs, rare alts, etc????

[brownie]

Aric, read this thread from the top. The non-BN 'Connection' which was released under Howard McGhee's name on the Felsted label is clearly mentioned

[GA Russell]

I remember the Mosaic box, but I've never heard a Tina Brooks album.

Is there one considered better than the others?

[Dan Gould]

I remember the Mosaic box, but I've never heard a Tina Brooks album.

Is there one considered better than the others?

True Blue was the one album that came out while he was alive.

Minor Move was his first session, unissued possibly due to slightly ragged ensembles, it has Lee Morgan joining him onthe front line.

Back to the Tracks was sequenced and prepared for release, but never came out at the time-an oversight on Alfred and Frank's part.

The Waiting Game was his last date.

I'd probably recommend True Blue first, just by a hair, but all are really fine.

[kh1958]

True Blue and Back to the Tracks are classics. The other two sessions are okay, but not on the same level, in my opinion.

[kh1958]

Here is a link to a Tina Brooks discography.

http://members.tripod.com/~hardbop/tbsessions.html

[GA Russell]

Thanks guys!

I see that the BMG Record Club is now offering Jackie's Bag, so I might pick that one up as well.

[mikeweil]

I bought my copy (CD) a few years ago at Croco Jazz

I found a shop named Crocodisc in the Rue des Écoles when I visited Paris in the 1980's - is that the same?

[brownie]

I bought my copy (CD) a few years ago at Croco Jazz

I found a shop named Crocodisc in the Rue des Écoles when I visited Paris in the 1980's - is that the same?

Mike, the jazz shop Crocodisc was at the Rue des Ecoles in the early 80s. The jazz store then moved to 64 Rue de la Montagne Sainte-Genevieve, right opposite the Eglise Sainte-Genevieve (beautiful little know church) and the Pantheon. It is now called Crocojazz. Same gbuy (Gilles) who was at Crocodisc is at Crocojazz.

The Crocodisc store is still at the Rue des Ecoles place but specialises in soul and rhythm and blues records - among many others genres.

[Pete C]

Tina Brooks is in Ray Charles' band on the video O Genio. IIRC, he has one nice solo on an instrumental and also has a "chase" sequence with Fathead.

[AndrewHill]

True Blue and Back to the Tracks are classics. The other two sessions are okay, but not on the same level, in my opinion.

I agree with this. The writing and playing are very strong on both of TB and Back to the Tracks. I'd give Minor Move a slight edge over WG because I think Lee was more on the case than Johnny Coles. All are worthwhile nonetheless, if you can find them, sans TB.

[jostber]

Quite nice article in Coda on Brooks here:

http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~chambers/tinabrooks.html

[CJ Shearn]

the infamous article I reposted a while back. We concluded that Jack Chambers made a lot of gross accusations about Brooks carer, Blue Note and other Blue Note musicians and music being unreleased due to drug habits.

[cymbalgroove]

I love Minor Move because I love the tune Minor Move + Sonny Clark is on piano. The record has some kind of recording flaw I heard from someone who talked to Cuscuna and that's why it wasn't released. I'm hearing this third hand so maybe I'm wrong? Anyone else hear this? I don't know if I would call the ensembles raggy for me at least. Lee is AMAZING!! Doug Watkins and Blakey have a great hook-up on this session I think too.

Today is actually Tina's birthday!

[Tom Cat]

what do you think about his writing? i love almost all of his compositions

among some which rank on my top are gypsy blue, open sesame, theme for doris, true blue, street singer, david the king, dhyana, etc.

Tina Brooks is in Ray Charles' band on the video O Genio. IIRC, he has one nice solo on an instrumental and also has a "chase" sequence with Fathead.

you mean o genio live in brazil 1963?

´cause i would have to get that stuff

[bertrand]

Definitely get that DVD - the only known film frootage of Tina.

I agree that his compositions are great. Too bad we only know of 18 of them.

Bertrand.

[Chas]