Hank Mobley's last session

[Hardbopjazz]

I don't recall if we ever brought this up before, but I am curious if Tete Montoliu's "I Wanna Talk About You" is the last session that Hank Mobley makes an appearance on tenor? I know he plays just one tune, "Autumn Leaves," but he still sounded pretty strong on that number. His health must have spiraled down real fast after this recording because I can't fine anything later with him.

[Rooster_Ties]

I believe that's what I've read here and elsewhere (that that was the last session), but I'm no authority.

There's also another thread around here about a live appearance years later (not too much before Hank's passing), but that wouldn't have been a recording session. (And I think there was an audio clip loaded to Youtube, iicr.) Anybody got a link to that thread? It was sad to read/hear, but poignant in a way.

[Dan Gould]

I believe that's what I've read here and elsewhere (that that was the last session), but I'm no authority.

There's also another thread around here about a live appearance years later (not too much before Hank's passing), but that wouldn't have been a recording session. (And I think there was an audio clip loaded to Youtube, iicr.) Anybody got a link to that thread? It was sad to read/hear, but poignant in a way.

It was definitely his last session, a "tryout" of sorts for a Steeplechase contract. When they issued the date on CD they considered "Autumn Leaves" the only releasable track.

Here is the link to the thread with the audio from Hank's gig at the Angry Squire.

[EKE BBB]

I don't recall if we ever brought this up before, but I am curious if Tete Montoliu's "I Wanna Talk About You" is the last session that Hank Mobley makes an appearance on tenor? I know he plays just one tune, "Autumn Leaves," but he still sounded pretty strong on that number. His health must have spiraled down real fast after this recording because I can't fine anything later with him.

That's the only issued track with Hank.

From my Tete Montoliu discography, here's the complete session info. Unissued tracks courtesy of Nils Winther's session logs:

Date: March 22, 1980

Location: New York City

Label: SteepleChase

Tete Montoliu (ldr), Hank Mobley (ts), Tete Montoliu (p), George Mraz (b), Al Foster (d)

a. Warm Up Blues - 2:47 (Tete Montoliu)

b. tk 1 Blues For Wim And Maxine - 6:10 (Tete Montoliu)

c. tk 2 a-02 Blues For Wim And Maxine - 7:28 (Tete Montoliu)

SteepleChase LP 12": SCS 1137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1980)

SteepleChase CD: SCCD 31137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1996)

d. tk 1 a-01 Nexus, Plexus, Sexus - 7:08 (Tete Montoliu)

SteepleChase LP 12": SCS 1137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1980)

SteepleChase CD: SCCD 31137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1996)

e. tk 2 Nexus, Plexus, Sexus - 6:11 (Tete Montoliu)

f. tk 1 I Want To Talk About You - 7:33 (Billy Eckstine)

g. tk 2 b-02 I Want To Talk About You - 11:36 (Billy Eckstine)

SteepleChase LP 12": SCS 1137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1980)

SteepleChase CD: SCCD 31137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1996)

h. Autumn Leaves [aka Les Feuilles Mortes] - 8:09 (Jacques Prevert, Joseph Kosma, Johnny Mercer)

SteepleChase CD: SCCD 31137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1996)

i. a-03 Scandia Skies - 6:42 (Kenny Dorham)

SteepleChase LP 12": SCS 1137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1980)

SteepleChase CD: SCCD 31137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1996)

j. Confirmation - 7:37 (Charlie Parker)

SteepleChase CD: SCCD 31137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1996)

k. tk 1 Early Morning Stroll - 0:45 (Hank Mobley)

l. tk 2 Early Morning Stroll - 6:50 (Hank Mobley)

m. b-01 Jo Vull Que M'Acariciis - 9:39 (Tete Montoliu)

SteepleChase LP 12": SCS 1137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1980)

SteepleChase CD: SCCD 31137 — I Wanna Talk About You (1996)

Hank Mobley (ts) on f, h, k, l only.

Edited April 22, 2014 by EKE BBB

[Chuck Nessa]

I heard the tapes, including Early Morning Stroll 30+ years ago in Nils Winther's house. Memory says it might be interesting in context with the mass of Hank's work, but really adds nothing. Let it go and give Nils credit for giving Hank a chance.

[Hardbopjazz]

I heard the tapes, including Early Morning Stroll 30+ years ago in Nils Winther's house. Memory says it might be interesting in context with the mass of Hank's work, but really adds nothing. Let it go and give Nils credit for giving Hank a chance.

Agree, Nils took the chance on Hank and we have one more performance with Hank.

[Gheorghe]

It´s too bad it was to late for Hank.

He might have had the same possibilities on Steeplechase, like Dexter had earlier before he returned to the States.

Actually, I was really disappointed when I heard Hank´s last studio album for BN, even 10 years earlier. It sounds weak and uninspired.

I really love Hank, he´s one of my favourites, I even heard that last tape from 1985 or 1986 at the Angry Squire and tried to enjoy something from that, but it´s hard to listen.....

Even Dexter, who at the same time was very sick and had respiratory problems and other ailments, played better on the few dates from the 1985 Movie on, the few occasions when he played a few tunes.....

[Shawn]

I really enjoy Thinking Of Home, I think it's a very nice record and underrated.

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

i like the 85 recordings!

Edited May 3, 2014 by chewy

[AllenLowe]

I thought he made 86.

[EKE BBB]

87 anyone?