sidewinder Posted November 2, 2003 Report Posted November 2, 2003 Just discovering the considerable pleasures of 'Blues Bag' by Buddy De Franco. Recorded in the mid-60s and originally released on Vee-Jay. The first shocker is to hear De Franco concentrating on (and superbly I might add) the bass clarinet. The second shock was to hear the characteristic groove and rim-shots of Art Blakey. Indeed, the line-up includes a nicely on-form Lee Morgan, Victor Sproles on bass and - another suprise - Victor Feldman on piano. It all sounds wonderful and anyone enjoying the RVG of 'Indestructable' on the other thread will probably like this one too. I know this title has come up sporadically on other threads but anyone else have opinions of this one? I guess the Blakey/De Franco connection from the early 50s group led to a reunion on this one. Interesting also to read Art's very complementary views of Buddy as musician and person in the Mosaic booklet. Quote
doubleM Posted November 2, 2003 Report Posted November 2, 2003 Sounds intriguing. Is it in-print? I'm just too lazy to do the homework. It's probably one of about 5 releases w/ Lee on them that I haven't heard/don't own/need to buy. Quote
BruceH Posted November 2, 2003 Report Posted November 2, 2003 This is a terrific album. I have it on a two-fer, but it's just been re-issued by the Koch Jazz label. Quote
Hank Posted November 2, 2003 Report Posted November 2, 2003 Mosaic has the Koch reissue of Blues Bag listed as going out of print. Now's the time to pick it up. Quote
Brad Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 I say go for it. But I'm partial to Buddy. It's still available. See Cd Universe, which has it for around $11. Quote
mikeweil Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 (edited) Someone posted elsewhere on this board the twofer CD by Blue Moon has better sound than the Koch single CD. It's terrific, one of my two desert island bass clarinet albums. Edited November 3, 2003 by mikeweil Quote
sidewinder Posted November 3, 2003 Author Report Posted November 3, 2003 Unearthed my copy on vinyl on an obscure 1960s UK label called 'Joy' (lives up to its name). Basically a copy of the Vee-Jay, with deep groove Quote
king ubu Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 A great album! It's been some time since I heard it first, but it's a very good one! Is there any catalogue (online) of available Koch Jazz releases/reissues? ubu Quote
brownie Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 Excellent. Have the VeeJay LP of it. 'Blues Bag' is the title of the album. The Blakey band obviously enjoyed playing with Buddy de Franco who made the most of the bass clarinet he was using, on session producer Leonard Feather's recommendation. Quote
couw Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 I'll have to give this one another spin soon. Yessssss Quote
WD45 Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 Someone posted elsewhere on this board the twofer CD by Blue Moon has better sound than the Koch single CD. It's terrific, one of my two desert island bass clarinet albums. I would agree. I bought the 2fer and sold the single disc. The Yusef Lateef album that makes up the other half is not too shabby either! I picked up "Blues Bag" because I am a nut for the bass clarinet. I was even more pleased to find the tunes list included Coltrane and Ornette. Nice! Quote
sidewinder Posted November 3, 2003 Author Report Posted November 3, 2003 When I heard the first track ('Blues Bag') played in an LP shop (the owner was trying to see if I could guess the artist - he won..) with De Franco on bass clarinet and Victor Feldman on vibes I thought he had uncovered some obscure Dolphy/Hutcherson date ! Track 2 ('Rain Dance') gave the game away though. A superb solo from Morgan at his half-valve finest, great contribution from Curtis and fireworks from 'Abdullah Buhaina' (at least that's what he's called on my LP sleeve). Gee - I just love this album.. Quote
BruceH Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 I think "Rain Dance" is my favorite cut on the album. Great piece of music. Quote
sidewinder Posted November 3, 2003 Author Report Posted November 3, 2003 (edited) I agree ! The version of 'Cousin Mary' is pretty amazing too.. Edited November 3, 2003 by sidewinder Quote
mr jazz Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 I like not love Blues Bag. The sound isn't great-especially percussion-and I still prefer Hark to this one but I'm glad I have it. Quote
mikeweil Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 BTW this is one of the finest blues-themed jazz albums ever. Except for the pretty "Rain Dance" which nevertheless has some bluesy inflections, all are blues based, and what a selection of composers: Monk, Coleman, Coltrane, Feather .... Quote
mikeweil Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 The Yusef Lateef album that makes up the other half is not too shabby either! Actually drummer Louis Hayes was the leader on this session - he was a member of Lateef's group at the time. Quote
BruceH Posted November 5, 2003 Report Posted November 5, 2003 BTW this is one of the finest blues-themed jazz albums ever. Except for the pretty "Rain Dance" which nevertheless has some bluesy inflections, all are blues based, and what a selection of composers: Monk, Coleman, Coltrane, Feather .... Yes, very interesting and far-ranging choice of covers. BTW, nice animated 'Flip' Mike! Quote
Man with the Golden Arm Posted November 10, 2003 Report Posted November 10, 2003 Someone posted elsewhere on this board the twofer CD by Blue Moon has better sound than the Koch single CD. It's terrific, one of my two desert island bass clarinet albums. just picked this up per the recs here. excellent disc. very fresh reading of blues connotation! anyone able to compare the koch to the blue moon? this koch sounds as if there's about five ton of goose down in the mix. someone must have leaned on the bass knob, shows how great van gelder allowed blakey to sound!!! Quote
BruceH Posted November 10, 2003 Report Posted November 10, 2003 Wow, I'm getting very glad that I've got the Blue Moon two-fer! Haven't heard the Koch, but now I'm not sure I'd risk buying it. Quote
mikeweil Posted November 11, 2003 Report Posted November 11, 2003 (edited) BTW, nice animated 'Flip' Mike! Courtesy of couw, of course .... Edited November 11, 2003 by mikeweil Quote
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