AOTW McLean 'Let Freedom Ring'

[Jazz Kat]

Probaly. Did he not even have his bass drum there at all? Or did he just not play it?

[Cali]

Didn't have it due to his situation at the time.

[Jazz Kat]

OOO

[vibes]

Love that shirt, vibes. Where from?

I'm guessing the jazz store cataloge??

Ropeadope

Lots of cool t-shirts. In addition to the "Freedom" shirt, my wife bought me the "Unity" and "Where is Brooklyn?" shirts for my birthday last year.

[Jazz Kat]

I've seen the Unity shirt and Art Blakey, Industructable shirt. They are awesome.

[Guest akanalog]

i kind of agree that when i see billy higgins on a BN album it makes me sort of think to myself "oh, some rote BN hard bop". i mean in other contexts i like him and i like him on some BN stuff-including this AOW. i never love his work as i do that of other drummers. but as the sixties rolled on, i find his contributions do not draw me in as elvin jones or tony williams or even joe chambers (or ed blackwell or tootie heath or billy hart for that matter) might draw me in and get me to check out an album just to hear them.

[Jazz Kat]

The only drummer that really made me ever buy an album because of that drummer being present was Philly Joe. I have about 15 albums with him that I bought, all in a row, starting with Cool Struttin. It was the summer, and every week on Wednesday night, it was like me and dad's time to hang out, we would always go to Borders and I got bought one album a week, with Philly on it. Those were the days!

[Guest akanalog]

good call. philly joe too. he would make me think about an album i haven't heard before. even something like hank mobley's "the flip".

[Big Al]

Pity Philly Joe & Jackie Mac only recorded twice together: Jackie's Bag and another title who's name escapes me at the moment.

[ghost of miles]

Pity Philly Joe & Jackie Mac only recorded twice together: Jackie's Bag and another title who's name escapes me at the moment.

COOL STRUTTIN'?

[Jazz Kat]

Perhaps. I mentioned that above.

[Guy Berger]

Pity Philly Joe & Jackie Mac only recorded twice together: Jackie's Bag and another title who's name escapes me at the moment.

COOL STRUTTIN'?

ARIC IS THAT YOU????

[Jazz Kat]

I DONT THINK SO!!!!

[Big Al]

Pity Philly Joe & Jackie Mac only recorded twice together: Jackie's Bag and another title who's name escapes me at the moment.

COOL STRUTTIN'?

DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Where do I hand in my jazz credentials?

And HOW long have I been listening to jazz? What's the matter with me anyway? Sheesh!!!!!

[Jazz Kat]

I know a guy for ya!

[Big Al]

[Jazz Kat]

BTW, I have just listened to samples of Let Freedom Ring and there is a snare drum. wtf?

[tonym]

First time I have read through the liner for this disc. He most certainly is a 'sugar-free' alto player , although he does play sweetly at times. I've always been a fan of McLean's sound from first hearing 4, 5 & 6. You can't think of other adjectives to describe it but the ones which are widely thrown at him; acidic, tart, bristling, acrid etc.

His takes on ballads have always been listenable and far from routine, which makes a change.

This album though, would have IMO, worked well as a trio date even. That is, without Jackie. Davis's solo on the first tune is wonderful and the rhythm section just burble, bubble and pop underneath. Not much 'bashing'. Not that I can hear anyway. You can't really get a crisper drummer than Higgins can you.

One good choice for AOTW.

Not a bad recording too. Given that a very bright RVG was recently issued of McLean's, I'm pleased that this version doesn't render his inherent 'brightness' totally atomic glare.

[Jazz Kat]

BTW, I have just listened to samples of Let Freedom Ring and there is a snare drum. wtf?

And a sock. Sounds like he's got his whole kit. Well, judging from these samples, he does have it.

[Guy Berger]

I only have the original domestic issue of this, which I got via a Columbia House order. I remember that at the time I was interested in his more adventurous stuff -- this one and Destination Out were the only ones available. I'm a big fan of Jackie's more extreme playing here; in fact, when I first heard Destination Out I was very disappointed that he was toning things down.

Billy Higgins is great here, as is Herbie Lewis. I'm indifferent to the piano player here, Walter whatever Jr. (can't remember whether it's Bishop or Davis). He plays pretty well (particularly on the first two tunes) but is a little too old-fashioned for the date. The last two tunes could have comfortably been tackled with a trio.

"Melody for Melonae" is my favorite Jackie tune -- Mingus influenced, I think, with the sequenced sections. The version of "I'll Keep Loving You" is beautiful. And the last two tunes are cool too. "Rene" has a bit of a Monkish flavor, while "Omega" is just set up perfectly with Herbie opening the melody before Jackie jumps in.

One last thing -- I really like Jackie's liner notes here. More albums should come with a mission statement. Mission accomplished!

Guy

[Big Al]

BTW, I have just listened to samples of Let Freedom Ring and there is a snare drum. wtf?

I think it's a snare without the snare turned on.

[Jazz Kat]

The snare is definately on.

[Guy Berger]

The snare is definately on.

No, that's not a snare. It's a prototype drum machine being played by Dexter Gordon, who wasn't credited when the album was released. Miles Davis took credit for the idea in later interviews.

Guy

Edited April 11, 2005 by Guy Berger

[Jazz Kat]

huh??????????? proto type drum machine! In the early 60's? I suppose Billy's hats are operated by Jackie McLean?

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Jackie's Pal is the third of the two McLean/Philly records.

Mike