Soul Stream Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 I'm not sure how many are hip to the Pacific Jazz LP, "After Hours" by Groove Holmes. It's really some of his finest playing imho, and one of the best organ jazz records in existence. This and "Groovin' With Jug," the live one with Gene Ammons really turned me on to Groove beyond just the cat who swung the hell out of "Misty." Groove was one hell of a JAZZ organist and "After Hours" really shows the depth of his musicianship. His version of "Moose The Mooche" is a standout among a field of winning tracks ("It Might As Well Be Spring" isn't far off.) Any other fans of this LP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 This was the second disc I picked up of Groove's back when I first started to get into this stuff. My first exposure to him came from my dad's vinyl collection. Groove could play bass lines like no other. You can tell he is an organist first, not a pianist that switched over to organ. His command of the instrument is total. On this record he sounds like he's really trying to prove himself and he does. He swings like crazy and there are some really nice originals and a smart selection of covers including one of my favorite standards "Jeanine". Highly recommended! Good call, Soul Stream! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJ Posted September 18, 2003 Report Share Posted September 18, 2003 (edited) Yes, I thoroughly enjoy AFTER HOURS. I remember what intrigued me enough to buy it (my first Groove Holmes CD) was Joe Pass' presence...it seemed odd to me to hear him in this context after knowing his playing only from the VIRTUOSO recordings. But he acquits himself quite well. Over the last couple of years, I have tracked down all of Groove's PJ albums that have been reissued on CD in the U.S...by my count that includes: AFTER HOURS GROOVIN' WITH JUG GROOVE SOMETHIN' SPECIAL Each one is a pleasure, but I would actually single out GROOVE as my personal favorite; the McCann/Holmes team was a great one, but this one is pushed up a notch by the playing of Ben Webster, who sounds right at home. For some reason, GROOVIN' WITH JUG was a bit of a disappointment to me - on paper, you'd think that would be "the one" but the sound quality is poor and it just sounds kind of rote to me, prototype soul jazz but without that extra spark the best sessions have. Mind you that is my most recent acquisition, so I've had less time to assimilate it...will have to dig it out again and see if the feeling still holds. Edited September 18, 2003 by DrJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted September 23, 2003 Report Share Posted September 23, 2003 I bought all four of Groove's Pacific Jazz CDs and enjoy After Hours the most. Listened into it in a second hand shop and was nicely surprised. Thsi one made me really dig his playing. I also like Joe Pass much more in this context than otherwise. Great ensemble playing, it is clearly understandable to me why he wanted to record this trio first of all and was disappointed when it was delayed several times for the other projects and then wasn't issued completely. I have yet to check out his Prestige stuff, which CD would you organ buffs recommend for starters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undergroundagent Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 This CD is OOP now isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undergroundagent Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 I bought all four of Groove's Pacific Jazz CDs and enjoy After Hours the most. Listened into it in a second hand shop and was nicely surprised. Thsi one made me really dig his playing. I also like Joe Pass much more in this context than otherwise. Great ensemble playing, it is clearly understandable to me why he wanted to record this trio first of all and was disappointed when it was delayed several times for the other projects and then wasn't issued completely. I have yet to check out his Prestige stuff, which CD would you organ buffs recommend for starters? "Soul Message" simply for the long version of "Misty". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GA Russell Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 Not to be contrary, but I much prefer his work on Prestige. And there, his first albums were the best. 1) Soul Message was my first hard core jazz album. I haven't tired of it after 37 years. It's great to listen to on the highway. 2) Living Soul has been reissued with Spicy under the title Spicy. Living Soul is terrific, especially on Gemini. Spicy isn't worth the money, but there it is. 3) On Basie's Bandstand is a new release of the Living Soul set's previously unreleased recordings. I understand why the tracks that were chosen to be released on Living Soul were chosen, but these tracks are also very good. 4) Misty has a different style, unique to Groove as far as I know. All of these four are highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgraham333 Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 I'm intrigued. Sounds like something I'll have to check out. Looks like there was a best of the PJ years released in 2001. I may start there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connoisseur series500 Posted December 24, 2003 Report Share Posted December 24, 2003 Count me as another big fan of "After Hours" and Groove Holmes in general. What amazes me most is the man's consistency. He was great from beginning to end. Check out some of his muse stuff as well to see that this great musician kicked all the way to the end. My particular Muse favorite is "All Day Long" Recommendations: Soul Message After Hours Hot Tat On Basie's Bandstand Legends of Acid Jazz (The Groover, and That Healin feeling) Misty Blue Groove (Soul Mist & Get up & Git It) All Day Long Slight disappointments: Broadway Groovin with Jug (Recording is bad) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davef Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 I also enjoyed Groove the best and Groovin' with Jug was a disappointment to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 Got "After Hours" today. I passed it by uncountable times in the last years, seems it was around constantly whereever I went... and based on what I read here, I took the plunge, and LOVE it! Thanks everybody! I like the first (61) date with Joe Pass a little better - sure "Secret Love" is a good one, but the vibe of Pass and Marable (of whom I seem to be a fan, although I never really looked for his stuff) strikes me as more relaxed. Interesting liners, too, by the way. How about his other early Pacific albums, are they around on CD? Or both long gone? ubu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undergroundagent Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 (edited) "Groove" is also OOP, but I think "Somethin' Special" is still in print. I saw it at HMV on Monday. Edited January 7, 2004 by undergroundagent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 Thanks for the Groove recs. Love "After Hours" by almost anyone. Great tune. Moody. Sexy. And, I can only imagine what Groove will do with it and the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 After Hours is out of print - BUT Walmart lists it on their site. I frequently check them for out of print stuff. Somethin' Special is oop in the US and I missed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undergroundagent Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 Chuck — If you're really in need of it I could pick it up for you at the local HMV. Maybe a trade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 Email me with your desires. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe G Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 Email me with your desires. B) Chuck! I had no idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 Email me with your desires. B) Chuck! I had no idea! I do wear those dark glasses and black sox! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 I do wear those dark glasses and black sox! So do I! Perfect accompaniment for the bermudas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 One Prestige Groove Holmes session I regularly enjoy is the 'Get Up & Get It' album (not sure it's out on CD). That's the one with Teddy Edwards on tenor, Pat Martino on guitar plus Paul Chambers and Billy Higgins. Could not miss. It did not! The version of Teddy Edwards 'Lee-Ann', a very nice groovy ballad, is worth the admission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connoisseur series500 Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 The version of Teddy Edwards 'Lee-Ann', a very nice groovy ballad, is worth the admission. The grin is because I love this tune. And Organissimo is even working on adding it to their repertoire upon my request. This session is included in "Blue Groove." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 The grin is because I love this tune. And Organissimo is even working on adding it to their repertoire upon my request. Connaisseur, the grin was worth it. Excellent idea to push the song into the Organissimo band's repertoire! Will be looking for their interpretation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man with the Golden Arm Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 I sure wish that the big band charts w/ Gerald Wilson, "You Better Believe It!", were available in singular and not just on the Mosaic. I just can't bring myself to fork over the dough for the set. I have never heard that album and am curious. Commentary? Anything like a Smith / Nelson affair?? Thoroughly enjoy "Moment of Truth" and Addey's great sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 (edited) One Prestige Groove Holmes session I regularly enjoy is the 'Get Up & Get It' album (not sure it's out on CD). That's the one with Teddy Edwards on tenor, Pat Martino on guitar plus Paul Chambers and Billy Higgins. Could not miss. It did not! The version of Teddy Edwards 'Lee-Ann', a very nice groovy ballad, is worth the admission. Thanks for calling attention to this one. It is available on CD from Fantasy, on a two-fer (with Soul Mist) called Blues Groove. I'm ordering one. Edited January 8, 2004 by Hank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted January 8, 2004 Report Share Posted January 8, 2004 Excellent idea to push the song into the Organissimo band's repertoire! Funny thing is, I used to play this tune in my first organ trio, which featured my dad on guitar. It's been years since I've played it, but I'm sure it'll come back to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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