Hank Mobley

[Larry Kart]

As a devout Mobley-ite, I wouldn't kick the Blackhawk Mobley out of bed, but just compare his work with that band to his contemporary work for Blue Note, which arguably is his greatest -- Soul Station, Roll Call, Workout, Another Workout. No comparison IMO. Aside from the possible/likely draft directed his way by Miles (and no one could chill you like that MF could), I'd guess that the key differences are the presences on Blue Note of Alfred Lion, Blakey, and Philly Joe, and the presence with Miles of Jimmy Cobb -- certainly a tasty drummer but not one who could give Mobley the kind of empathetic, interactive support he needed.

[sidewinder]

Very good point - Blakey, Philly Joe ('The Flip' excluded, I guess) and Billy Higgins always could get the best out of Hank.

[Guest ariceffron]

what is there to weigh in on- hank always soloed good on all his lps. you can critisize his material as he advances past 50s style hardbop but it nevertheles is more than decent material. as the miles stuff everyone knows that was one of the best periods of all for hank. i dont see what the problem is here. am i missing something. i dont know. i was listening to hi voltage today. that is one funky lp. and not just the title cut.

[sidewinder]

I've always liked 'Hi Voltage' too. An under-rated session. And great to hear the young John Hicks in this BN context too. Wasn't he with Woody Herman's band around this time?

[take5]

What I love about Mobley is the way he does rhythm. It's always "in the pocket" (even if that's an expression reserved for drummers). Sometimes it's nice to dig a musician with whom you always know what you get- consistently groovin', funky, soulful hard bop. The fact that all his Blue Note sessions feature awesome bands doesn't hurt.

Roll Call and Soul Station are two of my favorite jazz albums.

[makpjazz57]

I just purchased the Miles/Blackhawk recordings and while I enjoy Hank's playing on this, I, thnk his soloing is more inspired on the Blue Note recordings such as "Roll Call," and two of my favorites - "Workout" and "Another Workout."

Ashley Kahn's book on the Kind of Blue recording session talks briefly about Sonny Stitt's stint in the band and Miles' feelings - I got the impression that Miles wanted someone who would "push the envelope" and Sonny would do his great, straight-ahead burning and it wasn't what Miles wanted.

Marla