Guy Berger Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 I've had this album for several years and its appeal (particularly that of the title track) is mostly lost on me. I have nothing against this type of music -- I love "Sombrero Sam", "The Turnaround", "Adam's Apple", "Right Now", "Una Mas", "Common Mama", etc. But "The Sidewinder" has a lackluster theme, a mediocre groove, and unremarkable playing from the musicians involved. At best it could probably be interchanged with other BN albums of that era. I've been so disappointed by the title track that I probably haven't paid enough attention to the rest of the album. "Totem Pole" is much better than the title track. Guy Quote
Jazz Kat Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 We have to get you to the hospital. That is one of the greatest albums of all time! Lee Morgan or not. Henderson's solo on Sidewinder is outrageous! Listen to the album a few more times. It'll sink in..... Quote
Sundog Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 Guy said: I've had this album for several years and its appeal (particularly that of the title track) is mostly lost on me. Quote
milestones20 Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 "The Sidewinder", while definitely not my favorite Lee Morgan record, still has many moments worth repeated listenings. "Hocus Pocus" is a really catchy tune, in my opinion. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 It sold a bunch, that's all. Maybe my 25th favorite Morgan date. Rumproller is probably 26. Quote
Alexander Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 No, it's not the best Morgan date by a long shot, but the title track has good hook and (wait for it) you can dance to it. Henderson is in great form on that album. I've long been of the opnion that the title track is actually the weakest number on the album and that it gets much better after that... Quote
Epithet Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 Harris' solo on the title track is Quite Possibly The Worst Solo I've Ever Heard. Quote
Spontooneous Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 Epithet said: Harris' solo on the title track is Quite Possibly The Worst Solo I've Ever Heard. Aww, c'mon. You clearly haven't heard enough bad solos. We'll give you some recommendations... Quote
JSngry Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 I really dig the way Barry plays with the time on that solo. Very fuquitous. Quote
Eric Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 Chuck Nessa said: It sold a bunch, that's all. Maybe my 25th favorite Morgan date. Rumproller is probably 26. Slightly OT Chuck, but I was wondering what falls among your favorite Morgan sessions? Quote
danasgoodstuff Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 (edited) Personally I love the Sidewinder. Two things may help explain its popularity: 1) only Watermelon Man precedes it as a Billy Higgins fueled BN groover and it's not quite the same groove; and 2) it hit people beyond the core jazz audience who have totally different criteria and had probably never heard of Lee Morgan. Think I'll go listen to it now... Edited June 22, 2006 by danasgoodstuff Quote
Jazz Kat Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 If it wasn't for the Sidewinder, there would be no Gigilo, Cornbread, Procrastinator, etc. And not to mention Caddy for Daddy, and other BN boogalo tunes like that. The only discussion about the Sidewinder should be how it grooves, and how the tunes showcased Morgan as a terrific writer. If you don't dig it, that's fine. I don't really care. Quote
chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 jacqueline bissett threw my junk around last night and i had a **HORRIBLE** time Quote
John L Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 I have never had the slightest trouble really enjoying this record from start to finish. In fact, I would even give up "Seach for the New Land" before I would give up "Sidewinder." (Downright blasphemy!) Is it, objectively speaking, one of the greatest Lee Morgan records? Who cares? I don't listen objectively. I don't try to. Quote
mrjazzman Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 If you don't like Sidewinder, you probably won't like another huge hit, The In Crowd by Ramsey Lewis. You have to consider what was going on musically at the time.................. Quote
mrjazzman Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 John L said: I have never had the slightest trouble really enjoying this record from start to finish. In fact, I would even give up "Seach for the New Land" before I would give up "Sidewinder." (Downright blasphemy!) Is it, objectively speaking, one of the greatest Lee Morgan records? Who cares? I don't listen objectively. I don't try to. As much as I like Sidewinder, there's no way I keep it and give up Search For The New Land............ Quote
DatDere Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 I think The Sidewinder is an enjoyable record. The only thing I don't really like about the title track is Cranshaw's bass solo, always sounded weak and somewhat out of tune to me. Quote
Man with the Golden Arm Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 JSngry said: I really dig the way Barry plays with the time on that solo. Very fuquitous. someone please explain this one. i really like how this word rolls off the tongue, er, palette, yet when googling all i find is this entry: Jsngry from 9/12/2003 Quote Hey, one fuquitous act deserves another... possibly rooted from below as derivation but he was more of an up the middle guy than sidewinder-esque. did have cool shoes and could probably dance the heels off anybody. I also get an alternative of "taquitos" which with a few Negra Modelos would certainly taste great and maybe make 'The Sidewinder' even more enjoyable! Quote
John L Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 The art of the Fuque goes at least as far back as Bach, maybe even to Adam and Eve. Quote
ghost of miles Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 The track that grabs me the way I guess "The Sidewinder" is supposed to grab most folks is "Yes I Can, No You Can't," the opening number off The Gigolo. That one could go on and on, as far as I'm concerned... good one to blast in the car while driving around during the summer. Quote
BruceH Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 ghost of miles said: The track that grabs me the way I guess "The Sidewinder" is supposed to grab most folks is "Yes I Can, No You Can't," the opening number off The Gigolo. That one could go on and on, as far as I'm concerned... good one to blast in the car while driving around during the summer. Same goes for "Raggedy Ann" from the Take Twelve album. Great track, and great driving music. Quote
B. Clugston Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 I love this album. My favourite Morgan. One of my favourite jazz albums of all time. I love Lee's solo on "Totem Pole." The title track's popularity overshadows a fine set of compostions elsewhere on the album. Quote
chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 if you dont like the sidewinder, you might not like this thing called JAZZ. Quote
sidewinder Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez said: if you dont like the sidewinder, you might not like this thing called JAZZ. For me, the strongest things on this mighty fine album are 'Gary's Notebook' and 'Totem Pole '. The punters heard in the background on the Lighthouse recording were not wrong... Quote
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