Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Caravan (1962) [Jazz][mp3 320][h33t][schon55]

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Caravan

Original Release Date: October 23, 1962
Audio CD: July 1, 1991
Label: Ojc
Bitrate: 320 kbps

A killer set from Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers -- not a Blue Note album, but
probably one of their best from the time that isn't! The group at this point are a
sextet -- a lineup that changed the way that Blakey grooved, with Freddie Hubbard
on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, Curtis Fuller on trombone, and Cedar Walton on
piano. Tracks are long and open, with a bouncing lyrical groove that's more soaring
than some of the heavy-hitting earlier albums, but no less pleasing -- and possibly
even a bit more soulful! Titles include 'Sweet N Sour', 'This Is For Albert',
'Skylark', and 'Thermo'. Includes 2 bonus tracks -- alternate takes of 'Thermo'
and 'Sweet N Sour'.

Reviewer:
Art Blakey led many editions of his Jazz Messengers over more than three decades,
but a strong argument can be made that the Messengers of his Riverside period
constituted his strongest unit. With Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, and Curtis
Fuller in the front line, with Cedar Walton and Reggie Workman as Blakey's rhythm-
section mates, its combination of musicianship and sheer swinging force has rarely
been equaled in a small band.

Caravan was the first of Blakey's Riverside albums and endures as a living monument
to his nonpareil drumming and leadership. His solo on the title tune is one of the
finest recorded examples of Blakey's unique melding of precision and power.
Hubbard and Shorter contributed memorable compositions and, with Fuller and Walton,
some of the greatest soloing of the 1960s.

...This album was given to me as an assignment to study the form of the tunes and
phrasing of solos. My teacher has listened to my comments heard me play, and
usually tries to recommend albums that open me up to something I can connect to.
This wasn't the first album I have studied by his assignment so I trusted his
selection without reserve. For example, he had passed me Crescent ( probably the
best studio recording John Coltrane ever did ), Art Pepper meets the Rhythm Section
( Philly Joe Jones solos here are ones I...and maybe every other drummer has
memorized ), and Somethin' Else ( Miles as a sideman...sort of ).
Caravan has taken its place amongst the recordings I hold close to my soul. 'This
is for Albert' alone is an incredible tune, and I have spent enough time to justify
buying this album ten times over with only that song. The tune is difficult to
navigate and Art Blakey, like a master moves the song along with delicate rhyth-
melodic phrasing. The sound attracted me.
Listening to Freddie Hubbard on the whole album he is so energetic, so nineteen
years old! And he interacts with the group so well. Art Blakey was an incredible
leader, putting such youth and experience together and coming out with a monumental
recording.

Thermo is a premonition to the F Hubbard sound which has carved its own place in
the history of jazz. The title track is also a masterful accomplishment. Art
Blakey is a hard drummer, but that is Art Blakey....you try it and make that
musical, because he does. It isnt just showmanship, there is more there to
recognize. ~ 'pedigoan'

Personnel:
Art Blakey, drums
Curtis Fuller, trumpet
Freddie Hubbard, trumpet
Wayne Shorter, tenor saxophone
Cedar Walton, piano
Reggie Workman, bass

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Caravan Tracks:

01 Caravan 9:46
02 Sweet 'N' Sour [Take 4] 5:30 *
03 Sweet 'N' Sour 5:30
04 In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning 4:05
05 This Is For Albert 8:20
06 Skylark 4:50
07 Thermo [Take 2] 7:28 *
08 Thermo 6:45