Lee Morgan Delightfulee

[Teasing the Korean]

I always heard that this album was uneven at best, not very good at worst, so I never sought it out.

Then I ran across a used CD copy. I was surprised to find out that, with the bonus tracks, there is a whole album of the Lee Morgan/Oliver Nelson date. And being that I love Oliver Nelson, that was enough for me.

First I listened to the album as released, and I did feel that it was all over the map, not in a great way, but not in an awful way either.

Then I listened to the four bonus tracks with Oliver, which liked.

I then played around with the programming, and I think if you listen to the 6 Oliver Nelson tracks together, they form a pretty solid record. Likewise, if you listen to the 4 quintet tracks by themselves, they are also pretty solid.

So, if the original album was kind of jarring, on the CD you get one-and-a-half good, if not really great, albums.

I was puzzled by Bob Blumenthal's description of "Yesterday" as a "rock tune," but whatever.

[bertrand]

The quintet tracks are killer. There are some bizarre things in the orchestral arrangements, but nothing that bad. Not the best Lee, but certainly no need to avoid it. Wayne Shorter and Joe Henderson are involved - good enough for me.

Bertrand.

[sidewinder]

The quintet tracks are killer.

Indeed.

[tranemonk]

I've got this but haven't listened to it in ages.. but IMHO... there is NO such thing as a bad Lee Morgan record... (as a leader).... :beee:

Edited April 3, 2010 by tranemonk

[BillF]

Yes, it's a fine album which I bought not too long ago. Bob Blumenthal in his 2007 liner notes to the RVG edition is very critical of Philly Joe's drumming on the large group tracks, but I see no grounds whatever for his comments.

[Stereojack]

I bought this record when it came out - always liked the quintet tracks, found the two big band tracks to be rather light versions of pop tunes, although I recall that Wayne Shorter soloed on them, so they had some merit. When the CD came out 20 years later with the remaining tracks from the big band session, including two arrangements of tunes also performed by the quintet, the album went up in my estimation. I wouldn't believe every opinion expressed in the record guides.

[brownie]

This was an album I searched for years and could not find until the mid '80s when it was part of the DMM vinyl releases that came out of the Pathé-Marconi plant in suburban Chatou.

Still have the round-shaped BN poster that came with it!

[sidewinder]

This was an album I searched for years and could not find until the mid '80s when it was part of the DMM vinyl releases that came out of the Pathé-Marconi plant in suburban Chatou.

Still have the round-shaped BN poster that came with it!

Yeah, I picked up that issue too and still have the poster with it also !

A few years ago I got a Liberty original in NYC and it didn't cost very much either.

[Jazzmoose]

The quintet tracks are killer.

Indeed.

Yeah. But I have to admit I tend to listen to those and not the rest of the disc.

[Free For All]

I really like the whole shebang. Always have.

[AndrewHill]

Prefer the quintet tracks over the Nelson arrangements, but don't mind them there. Worth it for those tracks with Henderson alone.

[clifford_thornton]

I used to have a rather battered Liberty stereo of this one, and preferred the quintet tracks. Actually kind of hated the Oliver Nelson bits, but I'm sure my feelings wouldn't be so overbearing now. I'll try to remember to pick up the RVG one of these days.

[jazzbo]

I never have really liked the Nelson pieces, but I'm not a big Nelson fan. Still, I listen to this album now and then and prefer the quintet tracks.

[CJ Shearn]

I think this album is pretty decent actually. I also found no audible evidence of Philly Joe Jones' drumming being not up to par re: Blumenthal's comments.

[Shrdlu]

I love all of this. Great album. I do prefer the quintet tracks though.

What on earth is wrong with Blumenthal?? Trying to sound clever, or what? Philly Joe was one of the best drummers ever, and sounds great in a small group or a big band. I think they even comment in the original liner notes that they really liked Philly Joe's work with the large group. He was loud and fiery, and that's ideal for a big band. Who could forget his feature on Miles's "Porgy and Bess" album? Wonderfully crisp.

[BillF]

I love all of this. Great album. I do prefer the quintet tracks though.

What on earth is wrong with Blumenthal?? Trying to sound clever, or what? Philly Joe was one of the best drummers ever, and sounds great in a small group or a big band. I think they even comment in the original liner notes that they really liked Philly Joe's work with the large group. He was loud and fiery, and that's ideal for a big band. Who could forget his feature on Miles's "Porgy and Bess" album? Wonderfully crisp.

[clifford_thornton]

I haven't heard this stuff in years, mind you, but can say that PJJ could definitely drive a big band. That Polydor LP he led in the UK is fucking brilliant. Dunno how it translates to Oliver Nelson though - whom I find a bit of a bore in general.