The Complete Blue Note Recordings Of Art Blakey's 1960 Jazz Messengers (1992)

Drummer Art Blakey goes down in jazz annals in several ways, including for artistry and energy on his instrument. But perhaps more lasting is the influence his group has had not only on the development of the hard bop idiom but also for his influence on the generations of young players who have gotten their on-the-job training with Blakey. The list includes such figures as Wynton Marsalis, Keith Jarrett, Jackie McLean, Benny Golson, John Hicks, Woody Shaw, Joanne Brackeen, Curtis Fuller and Steve Turre.

Each successive group had different qualities, which kept the Messengers growing all the time. While arguments rage regards which was his “best”, no doubt the 1960-1961 unit figures in the debate. To my own tastes the group in 1960 (and a little later, when Curtis Fuller joined on trombone), was the finest. Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Bobby Timmons on piano, these musicians were extraordinary. It was a dream band almost as luminous as Miles Davis`s group with John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley Paul Chambers and Bill Evans.

This six-disc set covers studio and live sessions from March 6, 1960, to May 27, 1961, with the same personnel on all but two songs that were recorded on February 18, 1961, when Walter Davis had replaced Timmons.

Michael Cuscuna (Producer) uses only first-issue dates and while he includes some alternate takes, he does not litter the discs with second-rate vault material. They smoothly detail the band’s evolution, cohesion and maturation. Shorter is at his fiery best on tenor sax, while Morgan is either a furious note-bending acrobatic or a mellow, dynamic ballad stylist. Timmons excels at soul/gospel voicings and accompaniment but also demonstrates a flexibility and melodic and harmonic variety sometimes overshadowed by the popularity of such compositions as “Dat dere” and “Moanin’”. Merritt brings a rock-solid pulse and consistent edge to the group on bass, and Blakey himself offers his patent “bombs” on drums, driving and pacing the band without dominating it.

The Jazz Messengers as always are effective playing in either a surging or soothing manner on waltzes, standards or originals, personifying the mix of emotion and skills that are the essence of great jazz.

This set goes beyond essential. Get it post haste.

(It has been pointed out to me that I should start putting up a video link so as people who maybe unfamiliar with some of this music can get an idea before downloading specific things.)

Tracklist:

1.1 It's Only A Paper Moon (Alternate)
1.2 It's Only A Paper Moon
1.3 Dat Dere
1.4 The Chess Players
1.5 Lester Left Town
1.6 Sakeena's Vision
1.7 Politely
1.8 When Your Lover Has Gone
1.9 Noise In The Attic
1.10 Sleeping Dancer Sleep On (Alternate)

2.1 Sleeping Dancer Sleep On
2.2 Sincerely Diana
2.3 Sincerely Diana (Alternate)
2.4 Yama
2.5 Kozo's Waltz
2.6 Giantis
2.7 Johnny's Blue
2.8 So Tired
2.9 Like Someone In Love

3.1 A Night In Tunisia
3.2 United
3.3 Ping Pong
3.4 Blue Ching
3.5 Pisces
3.6 Look At The Birdie
3.7 Master Mind
3.8 Ping Pong
3.9 Petty Larceny
3.10 Roots And Herbs

4.1 United
4.2 The Witch Doctor (Alternate)
4.3 Those Who Sit And Wait
4.4 A Little Busy
4.5 Joelle
4.6 Afrique
4.7 Lost And Found
4.8 The Witch Doctor
4.9 The Back Sliders (Alternate)

5.1 The Back Sliders
5.2 The Freedom Rider
5.3 Tell It Like It Is
5.4 El Toro
5.5 Blue Lace
5.6 Uptight
5.7 Announcement By Pee Wee Marquette
5.8 The Opener
5.9 What Know
5.10 Theme And Announcement By Pee Wee Marquette

6.1 Announcement By Art Blakey
6.2 'Round About Midnight
6.3 The Breeze And I
6.4 Announcement By Pee Wee Marquette And Art Blakey
6.5 High Modes
6.6 Night Watch
6.7 Announcement By Art Blakey
6.8 The Things I Love
6.9 The Summit
6.10 Theme And Announcement

Download Link - Mediafire (Disc 1)
Download Link - Mediafire (Disc 2)
Download Link - Mediafire (Disc 3)
Download Link - Mediafire (Disc 4)
Download Link - Mediafire (Disc 5)
Download Link - Mediafire (Disc 6)