paul secor Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 Max made so many recordings over the years that it's probably impossible to pick one particular record as the best, but I thought it might be interesting for people to pick a record that stands out for them - whether Max is the leader or a sideman. I'll start off with Introducing Johnny Griffin. Johnny Griffin is on fire on this wonderful date, and Max is there with him all the way. This was recorded when Max Roach was still co-leading the Brown/Roach Quintet, and he was at his best. I've always assumed that the yeahs and shouts/moans that come from the background when Griff is soloing are from Max. Quote
Dan Gould Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 Max Roach 4 Plays Charlie Parker Hank and KD sound great on this, an all-time favorite. Quote
blajay Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 A tune that's been in my head a lot the past week has been "A Little Max" on the Money Jungle album. He is showcased on that one. He might be my favorite drummer. All the Plus Four stuff is great. I like Percussion Bittersweet a lot. Quote
blajay Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 I remember also being blown away the first time I heard Saxophone Colossus more because of Roach than Rollins, himself! Also, he's excellent with Herbie Nichols. Quote
jlhoots Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 Brown / Roach at Basin Street. Not "live", of course, but a great album. Quote
felser Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 Brown / Roach at Basin Street. Not "live", of course, but a great album. "Members, Don't Get Weary", burning with Tolliver, Bartz, Cowell and Merritt in 1968. Contains the finest recording of Cowell's gorgeous "Effi". Quote
Larry Kart Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 "Live at the Beehive" and "Max Roach + Four" are two that come to mind. Quote
paul secor Posted April 16, 2009 Author Report Posted April 16, 2009 (edited) "Live at the Beehive" and "Max Roach + Four" are two that come to mind. Larry - the piece about Live at the Beehive in your book helped open my ears to things I hadn't heard in Max's playing. Thanks. Edited April 16, 2009 by paul secor Quote
J.A.W. Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 Everything he did with Clifford Brown and Sonny Rollins. Quote
Free For All Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 All of the above, plus Money Jungle and The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1(can't resist that crazy groove on Un Poco Loco). Quote
bluesbro Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 For me, its the stuff he recorded w/Bird Quote
Uncle Skid Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 Everything he did with Clifford Brown and Sonny Rollins. I'm a (very) amateur drummer, and I've been attempting to transcribe parts of "Pent-Up House" and "Jordu". Max's drumming on those two tunes alone are enough for a lifetime of study. Quote
BeBop Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 I like all that 'classic' stuff too. But I also enjoy the M'Boom material. "Live at SOB's" is on my MP3 player. Quote
WD45 Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 Brown / Roach at Basin Street. Not "live", of course, but a great album. "Members, Don't Get Weary", burning with Tolliver, Bartz, Cowell and Merritt in 1968. Contains the finest recording of Cowell's gorgeous "Effi". "Members" is my fave, but he is a highlight for me on several recordings. Freedom Suite, Money Jungle, etc Quote
Stereojack Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1(can't resist that crazy groove on Un Poco Loco). I was goint to mention this as well! Also love Brown-Roach at Basin Street Max Roach +4 (the one with all their backs to the camera) Drums Unlimited Sonny Rollins - Worktime Quote
jeffcrom Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 (edited) Jeez, you've hit on one of my heroes. I love all the recordings mentioned above, but how 'bout The Long March with Archie Shepp? "South Africa Goddam" gets to me every time I hear it. And is the Historic Concerts album with Cecil Taylor the best recorded performance of a drummer with CT? I think maybe so, although I can understand disagreement on that. And I've always loved Max's solo on "Lepa" (an early Richard Abrams tune, by the way) on The Many Sides of Max Roach - the bass keeps walking, while Max solos over the top, playing logical phrases and leaving plenty of space. Why don't more drummers do that? I would hate to have to choose just one of Max's albums as leader to take to a dessert island, but if I did, I think I'd have to go with Drums Unlimited from 1966. It's got Freddie Hubbard and James Spaulding at their best, some superb solo drum pieces, and the best-ever version of Jymie Merritt's 6/4 anthem "Nommo." What a giant. Edited April 16, 2009 by jeffcrom Quote
JSngry Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 A highlight of both men's careers, imo. I like The Long March well enough, but this one is so much better. Again, in my opinion. Quote
blajay Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 A highlight of both men's careers, imo. I like The Long March well enough, but this one is so much better. Again, in my opinion. I almost got that one once but passed, damn. Quote
Big Al Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 "The Freedom Suite" with Sonny and "Brilliant Corners" with Monk. Two of my favorite drum solos in those songs, where the drums are as (if not more) melodic than the other instruments. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 A highlight of both men's careers, imo. I like The Long March well enough, but this one is so much better. Again, in my opinion. I almost got that one once but passed, damn. Yep, it's a good one... real good! Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 "Members, Don't Get Weary", burning with Tolliver, Bartz, Cowell and Merritt in 1968. Contains the finest recording of Cowell's gorgeous "Effi". My favorite too... Quote
Larry Kart Posted April 16, 2009 Report Posted April 16, 2009 "Live at the Beehive" and "Max Roach + Four" are two that come to mind. Larry - the piece about Live at the Beehive in your book helped open my ears to things I hadn't heard in Max's playing. Thanks. Very satisfying to hear that. Quote
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