Revisiting Oliver Nelson - Help Appreciated

[JazzLover451]

Like many out there I started listening to Oliver Nelson by picking up a copy of Blues and the Abstract Truth. But surely there's more than that. What can you recommend that might refire my interest in Oliver? All suggestions appreciated in advance.

Edited February 7, 2013 by JazzLover451

[marcello]

[JSngry]

LP only (don't be taken in by the Bluebird set of the same name), afaik, but a masterpiece:

Most of the Bluebird set is taken from this, but it's best heard on its own:

This one is on the Mosaic, but if you don't want all that, look for it separately, not sure if it's been on CD or not:

Some really great writing here, unlikely as it might seem:

This is worth looking for if you can find it:

Not a big band side, small group, w/Oliver in fine form as a player:

And then there's all the Prestige stuff...plenty of interesting things there.

Yes, you can go wrong by buying a record with the name "Oliver Nelson" on it, but it's a risk I'm usually willing to take. No matter how commercial the setting, there's usually one or two serious WTF?!?!?! moments that just make me smile in spite of whatever else might have (or will) happen. And when he had time/incentive to really take his time and do some serious writing, hey, there was a voice there that would not be denied.

[JSngry]

Oh yeah, almost forgot - More Blues And The Abstract Truth is not a "classic" like its predecessor, but it is very good. Great Ben Webster guest spot on "Blues For Mister Broadway". Also has a/the tune names "Blues And The Abstract Truth", which is quite a knotty proposition.

• Oliver Nelson - arranger, conductor
  
• Thad Jones, Danny Moore (tracks 1 & 5) - trumpet
  
• Phil Woods - alto saxophone
  
• Ben Webster - tenor saxophone (tracks 4 & 7)
  
• Phil Bodner - tenor saxophone, English horn
  
• Pepper Adams - baritone saxophone
  
• Roger Kellaway - piano
  
• Richard Davis - bass
  
• Grady Tate - drums
  

I'm also quite fond of the Live From Los Angeles album, but not everybody is. It's just a big band (with Mel Brown on hand for a few things) swinging hard, nothing too complicated at all, but hey...you don't miss your water, etc.

https://www.youtube....h?v=yMfTPzCHSP8

Personnel: Bobby Bryant, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Freddy Hill (trumpet), Lou Blackburn, Billy Byers, Pete Myers, Ernie Tack (trombone), Oliver Nelson (soprano sax, arranger, conductor), Gabe Baltazar, Frank Strozier (alto sax), Bill Perkins, Tom Scott (tenor sax), Jack Nimitz (baritone sax), Frank Strazzeri (piano), Monty Budwig (bass), Ed Thigpen (drums)

Edited February 7, 2013 by JSngry

[brownie]

The Oliver Nelson/Eric Dolphy combination produced these two essential albums (there were more)

[Head Man]

The Oliver Nelson/Eric Dolphy combination produced these two essential albums (there were more)

I agree.

These are my two favourite Oliver Nelson albums....apart from 'Blues & The Abstract Truth', of course.

[BillF]

Two big band Nelson albums which have long been favorites:

[Head Man]

Two big band Nelson albums which have long been favorites:

I'd forgotten about that one. Must dig it and give it a spin.

[JSngry]

[colinmce]

Sound Pieces is great, and yes it did come out on CD in the early 90s. It's relatively pricy secondhand.

[paul secor]

I've never heard this recording, but I'd bet it's one worth hearing:

Lem Winchester and Oliver Nelson sound like they'd make a good pairing.

Edited February 7, 2013 by paul secor

[BillF]

I've never heard this recording, but I'd bet it's one worth hearing:

Lem Winchester and Oliver Nelson sound like they'd make a good pairing.

It's an excellent album IMHO.

Edited February 7, 2013 by BillF

[mracz]

Listen to the Orchestra with Art Farmer. BTW a favourite of Mike Gibbs...

[Larry Kart]

Terrific music, played with great gusto. Probably my favorite Nelson recording.

[Chuck Nessa]

Me too, and for more Nelson/Winchester try

and

[sgcim]

I think the Lockjaw LP has a recording of "Stolen Moments" for big band that pre-dates "BATAT" .

There's also a video of him at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in the 60s leading a big band playing that tune, featuring Gato Barbieri(!)

[JSngry]

I think the Lockjaw LP has a recording of "Stolen Moments" for big band that pre-dates "BATAT" .

Yep. That was the debut of the tune, then called "The Stolen Moment".

[felser]

I'm a big fan of the live album with Leon Thomas. Also of what he did for Gato Barbieri on the 27 minute title track of 'Swiss Suite'. And Danny Moore is pretty great on that album, too.

[Teasing the Korean]

Zig Zag

Skull Session

[Peter Friedman]

I have always enjoyed this one.

Meet Oliver Nelson - Prestige

With: Kenny Dorham/ Ray Bryant/ Wendell Marshall / Art Taylor

[.:.impossible]

I was wondering if Skull Session would be beyond the OP's boundary?

[kh1958]

Count Basie, Afrique, arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson (Flying Dutchman)

Oliver Nelson, Live from Los Angeles (Impulse)

Oliver Nelson, Jimmy Forrest, King Curtis--Soul Battle (Prestige)

[jeffcrom]

A sideman appearance - right now I'm spinning Shirley Scott's Blue Seven (Prestige, recorded in 1961 and released in 1965), and every time Nelson solos, I involuntarily get a big smile on my face.

[danasgoodstuff]

Have we mentioned them all yet? Damn near everything he did is fine, or at least intereting. Except that record with T Monk, what the heel happened there? Just didn't spend enuff time on it or what?

[JSngry]

Have we mentioned them all yet? Damn near everything he did is fine, or at least intereting. Except that record with T Monk, what the heel happened there? Just didn't spend enuff time on it or what?

That's always been my theory. The guy was a notorious workaholic, especially after he moved to L.A. and started getting TV assignments.

There's plenty other things he did where it was obvious that he was turning in competent but not really inspiring work in return for a competent but inspiring-enough paycheck. But hey, such is life, no?

And when he was inspired, whoa.