Shawn Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Well, I've been asleep at the wheel...cause I didn't get this album until just this weekend. For some reason, despite the stellar lineup, I had never gotten the urge to buy this. Boy, was I dumb! Excellent session as far as I'm concerned. The originals are engaging, arrangements are top notch and the performances are inspired (Lee's solo on Twice Around!!!). Dig that trumpet/alto/trombone frontline as well. Plus it's very cool to have Tyner & Blakey playing together. Opinions on this one? Not released till 1980, any reason (aside from not being The Sidewinder Part 2) that this should have been passed over originally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
couw Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Not released till 1980, any reason (aside from not being The Sidewinder Part 2) that this should have been passed over originally? not as far as I know, you just described the very reason. killer album, fabulous playing, one of my favourites, if only for the title tune and Rigormortis, to name some extremes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 I have no problems with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 I seem to recall a few fluffs, which maybe influended why it was held back? They don't bother me in the least and I love this album - one of my favorites of his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catesta Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Not released till 1980, any reason (aside from not being The Sidewinder Part 2) that this should have been passed over originally? not as far as I know, you just described the very reason. killer album, fabulous playing, one of my favourites, if only for the title tune and Rigormortis, to name some extremes. This was my first Morgan lead date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Johnson Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 This was my first Morgan lead date. What instrument did you play? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 Blakey and Morgan - how can you go wrong? :rsmile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 This was also one of the first Lee Morgan albums I bought. Never regretted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjarrell Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 The Penguin Guide's low regard for this session is the reason I stopped taking the Penguin Guide seriously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeway Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Is this title due for the RVG treatment any time soon? Also, I can somewhat understand the lack of critical enthusiasm, as the "Sidewinder" boogaloo-type piece really got way overdone. It seems like nearly every post-Sidewinder BN had at least one track like Sidewinder. Not Lee's fault, but the label really went overboard trying to get another funky hit. Lee had far more going for him than that, as he showed before and after Sidewinder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjarrell Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Actually, it was the "cluttered front line" that had the Penguin guys all bent out of shape, not the obligatory groove number. IMHO Mogie, McLean, and Fuller were never capable of "cluttering" anything. I have othe rbeefs with those guys, but it's off-topic stuff. Long live AMG! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 It's strange how the Penguin Guide under-rates all these fine BN sessions. 'Caddy For Daddy', 'Tomcat', 'Taru', 'Dippin', 'The Turnaround'. None of them come out with half-way decent credit. 'Alligator Boogaloo' in particular takes something of a pounding from these guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 I like Tom Cat and Free For All and Indestructible and Caddy For Daddy and Blue Train and anything else with Curtis Fuller on it. I think I just like trombones more than even I realize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulstation1 Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 don't miss caramba or charisma ss1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Nelson Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 I'm keeping my 'Caramba' and 'Charisma' -- and letting 'Tom Cat' slide. Alfred was right -- it's not particularly strong or inspired, just average. Which, I know, is fine for Lee Morgan heads... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catesta Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 This was my first Morgan lead date. What instrument did you play? D'oh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted October 5, 2009 Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 Its a bummer that now the RVG remaster of Tom Cat is OOP. I just heard the title-track off this album on the radio, and found it thoroughly enjoyable. It was just re-released in 2006. I wonder why they let it go OOP so fast? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man with the Golden Arm Posted October 5, 2009 Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 try to grab the old one with Lee facing left rather than right ... it's politically and aurally better to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmce Posted October 5, 2009 Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 I like the date alright, nothing on it that really grabs me, though. I just got Delightful-lee in the mail today (monthly yourmusic shipment) and gave it a spin. I like it! Great solos from Joe Henderson, and the Nelson charts come off well. I'm looking forward to picking up more of his 60s sessions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted October 5, 2009 Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 Tom Cat is one of my favorite Lee dates. Either version is dandy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 I can't believe that Hiroshi has had a copy of the Infinity TOCJ sitting there for weeks now with no takers? Another great one that used to be a bi*** to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 Love TOM CAT, and I actually prefer the RVG (political views notwithstanding. I think). Love the phrasing, and so wish that Blakey and Tyner had recorded together more often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 I agree with Chuck. This has long been among my favorite Lee Morgan sessions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewHill Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 It was just re-released in 2006. I wonder why they let it go OOP so fast? Several reasons I think. One, the cd market is in a slump; two, EMI is in a slump; and three, Tom Cat may not have met the minimum sales quota to stay in print. All of this equals deletions. If I recall, Jackie's titles took a pretty bad hit. A real pity. But that's what's going on there, I believe. Concerning Tom Cat, I don't recall any of the tracks being particularly memorable except for Riggarmortas, which is really a standout track, IMO; its espeically that track that keeps me holding on to this date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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