Alan Bates - Freedom etc.

[AllenLowe]

one of my favorite Black Lions is the one under the leadership of Philly Joe Jones - a hard bop session that stands as the equal to any equivalent American record - a little anti-jingoist program -

[sidewinder]

That must have been 'Trailways Express'. I read somewhere that Hank Mobley was originally scheduled to participate in this session but in the end the sax lineup was all Brit (Peter King and Harold McNair I think). Mobley with Kenny Wheeler would have made for a fascinating combination !

[brownie]

I have a UK Fontana LP of the Howard McGhee with George Coleman. A nice session !

That Maggie is 'Shades of Blue'. I have the French vinyl of this on the Black Lion label with the liner notes (by Alun Morgan) in english.

At the bottom of the back cover, there is a note reading 'Distributed by Sofrason France and Fonior Belgium'.

The credit also says 'A Black Lion recording. Original recordings by Chris Albertson. Album produced by Alan Bates.'

Edited February 21, 2005 by brownie

[sidewinder]

The Fontana is called 'The Sharp Edge'. Part of the 'Jazz Life' series - I think this might be a Dutch Fontana as there are footnotes in English and German. Sleeve notes are by Alun Morgan (his notes are always most informative). Reference in there also to 'A JAZZART recording 8059, produced by Chris Albertson'.

No mention of Mr (Master?) Bates whatsoever on this one ! Cover photo of McGhee by Val Wilmer.

Edited February 21, 2005 by sidewinder

[brownie]

Same music. My'Shades of Blue' also has McGhee photo by Val Wilmer on its cover!

'The Sharp Edge' is side 1, a. 'Shades of Blue' is the next track.

[sidewinder]

Here's the cover art for the Dutch Fontana LP.

[brownie]

Here's the cover art for the Dutch Fontana LP.

Reverse the Val Wilmer photo, taint it dark green and you've got the cover of the Black Lion LP. McGhee is a left-handed trumpet player on the Black Lion!

[wolff]

I am not pleased with the sound on the four sessions I sold to Bates (all of which were issued on Fontana and Black Lion. .......and a Howard McGhee date with George Coleman and Junior Mance.

I could not afford the studio I really wanted, so I had to settle for one that was owned by a bass player who tended to boost his instrument of choice. Two-track did not give one much of a remix option.

←

Yes, it is kinda poor. I'd swear the trumpet moves from from one side to the other on one song. I just got the Japanese reissue. Very nice music, but it's less distracting if I hit the mono switch.

Edited June 5, 2005 by wolff

[Tony Pusey]

Wolf, which label is the Japanese reissue on?

[sidewinder]

Some of these Fontanas were reissued in Japan on Trio Records.

[Chalupa]

Up.

I've been trying to Google a discography for Black Lion. Nada. Any suggestions?

Edit: So what's the verdict on the sound quality between the arista/freedom vinyl vs. the original Black Lion vinyl(or CD re-issues)??? Is one label's version better than the other or is it a "case by case" basis? Or maybe the SQ sucks on both and I shouldn't worry about which version I pick up???

Edited November 1, 2007 by J.H. Deeley

[Daniel A]

Not an aswer to your question about Black Lion vs. Arista/Freedom, but this thread has some comments regarding the various Black Lion pressings:

http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=26436

[Chalupa]

Thanks.

[Fer Urbina]

Up.

I've been trying to Google a discography for Black Lion. Nada. Any suggestions?

Edit: So what's the verdict on the sound quality between the arista/freedom vinyl vs. the original Black Lion vinyl(or CD re-issues)??? Is one label's version better than the other or is it a "case by case" basis? Or maybe the SQ sucks on both and I shouldn't worry about which version I pick up???

As far as I know, Black Lion's Alan Bates is still reachable here

Also, da music, German label that releases Black Lion albums can be contacted here.

F