Two original LPs on two CD
CD 1 Groove Blues
(CD 1) Groove Blues
January 3, 1958, was a productive day in Gene's recording career, where on he recorded enough material for two complete Prestige albums (see also "The Big Sound"). This blowing session features Gene's big tenor along with John Coltrane (on alto sax, rather unusual), Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Paul Quinichette's Lestorian sound on tenor, Jerome Richardson on flute, and a rhythm section of Mal Waldron, George Joyner, and Art Taylor. The title track is a medium blues done just right, and everyone swings for the seats on "Jug handle." A nice date that won't let you down.
01. Ammon Joy 13:20
02. Groove Blues 09:35
03. Jug Handle 10:12
04. It Might As Well Be Spring 11:33
(CD 2) The Big Sound
Along with its fellow CD Groove Blues, this reissue fully documents all of the music recorded by tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons on the busy day of Jan. 3, 1958. Although there were many guest soloists, only one of the four songs on this half of the set (Mal Waldron’s “The Real McCoy”) has appearances by John Coltrane (on alto) and the tenor ofPaul Quinichette. However, baritonist Pepper Adams is aboard for two of the performances, and flutist Jerome Richardson (along with pianist Mal Waldron, bassist George Joyner and drummer Art Taylor) are on all four. Ammons is easily the main star (he really excelled in this setting) and is in generally fine form on the two standards (”That’s All” and “Cheek to Cheek”), his own “Blue Hymn” and the Waldron original.
01. Blue Hymn 12:39
02. The Real McCoy 08:34
03. Cheek To Cheek 14:14
04. That's All 13:56
