HOWARD McGHEE - Nobody
knows you when you’re down & out / House warmin’!
Fresh Sounds Records FSR-CD 796
Nobody knows you when you’re down & out
Tracks 4,5,7 & 10
Howard McGhee tpt ) Jimmy Jones ( pno ) Ron Carter ( bass ) Art Taylor ( drs )
Recorded NYC, September 1962
Tracks 1,2,3,6,8 & 9
Howard McGhee ( tpt ) Phil Porter ( organ ) Larry Ridley ( bass ) Dave Bailey ( drs )
Recorded NYC, October 1962
House Warmin’! Howard McGhee & The Blazers
Howard McGhee ( tpt ) Gene Ammons ( tnr ) Jake Fisher ( gtr ) Barney Richmond ( bass ) Willie Mashburn ( drs ) Waco ( bongos )
Recorded NYC, probably May 1962
Howard McGhee worked with Andy Kirk and Charlie Barnet during the early forties and during the mid-forties he was to be found with the Coleman Hawkins small group.His recording of “Hollywood Stampede” with Coleman Hawkins was critically acclaimed and it was during this period he became impressed by Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro. Along with these two trumpet players he became part of the Swing to Bop movement.
He had a period of inactivity due to involvement with substance abuse and the two albums contained on this CD were recorded after his return to the recording scene.
The album “Nobody knows you when you’re down and out” is the most interesting of the two with two impressive rhythm sections and it is Phil Porter’s organ playing which accompanies Howard McGhee’s muted trumpet but it is his open horn on “Lonely Town” which reveals he has lost none of his earlier skills.
“Canadian Sunset” is one of the best tracks on the album with McGhee alternating between muted and open trumpet and there is a hint of the old fire still burning, Art Taylor provides intelligent support.
Phil Porter’ organ solo on McGhee’s own composition “Blue Bell” is the highlight of the track.
Howard McGhee’s ballad performance on “Tenderly” is not marred by an over sentimental interpretation.
“Blue Duende2 is the final track on this album and is another McGhee original and he gives his most inspired performance and spurred on by fine rhythm section and includes a typical Jimmy Jones laid back piano solo.
The album “House Warmin’” is a different animal and it sounds more like a Gene Ammons’ date with lots of funky down home tenor and guitar.
All the tunes are by Paul Winley and rflect the rhythm and blues field and are fine for background or party purposes and although both Ammons and McGhee play well enough it not the type of music we would expect to hear from Howard McGhee.
Both the first and last tracks “Jazz with a beat” and “Jivin’ around” last over ten minutes which is more than they warrant.
It is good to have some of Howard McGhee’s later work bu perhaps “Maggies back” on Contemporary might have been a better companion to the first album.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Fresh Sounds Records FSR-CD 796
Nobody knows you when you’re down & out
Tracks 4,5,7 & 10
Howard McGhee tpt ) Jimmy Jones ( pno ) Ron Carter ( bass ) Art Taylor ( drs )
Recorded NYC, September 1962
Tracks 1,2,3,6,8 & 9
Howard McGhee ( tpt ) Phil Porter ( organ ) Larry Ridley ( bass ) Dave Bailey ( drs )
Recorded NYC, October 1962
House Warmin’! Howard McGhee & The Blazers
Howard McGhee ( tpt ) Gene Ammons ( tnr ) Jake Fisher ( gtr ) Barney Richmond ( bass ) Willie Mashburn ( drs ) Waco ( bongos )
Recorded NYC, probably May 1962
Howard McGhee worked with Andy Kirk and Charlie Barnet during the early forties and during the mid-forties he was to be found with the Coleman Hawkins small group.His recording of “Hollywood Stampede” with Coleman Hawkins was critically acclaimed and it was during this period he became impressed by Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro. Along with these two trumpet players he became part of the Swing to Bop movement.
He had a period of inactivity due to involvement with substance abuse and the two albums contained on this CD were recorded after his return to the recording scene.
The album “Nobody knows you when you’re down and out” is the most interesting of the two with two impressive rhythm sections and it is Phil Porter’s organ playing which accompanies Howard McGhee’s muted trumpet but it is his open horn on “Lonely Town” which reveals he has lost none of his earlier skills.
“Canadian Sunset” is one of the best tracks on the album with McGhee alternating between muted and open trumpet and there is a hint of the old fire still burning, Art Taylor provides intelligent support.
Phil Porter’ organ solo on McGhee’s own composition “Blue Bell” is the highlight of the track.
Howard McGhee’s ballad performance on “Tenderly” is not marred by an over sentimental interpretation.
“Blue Duende2 is the final track on this album and is another McGhee original and he gives his most inspired performance and spurred on by fine rhythm section and includes a typical Jimmy Jones laid back piano solo.
The album “House Warmin’” is a different animal and it sounds more like a Gene Ammons’ date with lots of funky down home tenor and guitar.
All the tunes are by Paul Winley and rflect the rhythm and blues field and are fine for background or party purposes and although both Ammons and McGhee play well enough it not the type of music we would expect to hear from Howard McGhee.
Both the first and last tracks “Jazz with a beat” and “Jivin’ around” last over ten minutes which is more than they warrant.
It is good to have some of Howard McGhee’s later work bu perhaps “Maggies back” on Contemporary might have been a better companion to the first album.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
