Search - Clifford Brown :: The Definitive Clifford Brown

The Definitive Clifford Brown
Clifford Brown
The Definitive Clifford Brown
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

When Clifford Brown emerged in 1952, he brought a shining new voice to jazz trumpet, combining a clear, bell-like sound and brilliant articulation with a new flexibility of line. By the time of his tragic death at 25--in a...  more »

     
?

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Clifford Brown
Title: The Definitive Clifford Brown
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 0
Label: Umvd Labels
Release Date: 9/24/2002
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style: Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 731458984528

Synopsis

Amazon.com
When Clifford Brown emerged in 1952, he brought a shining new voice to jazz trumpet, combining a clear, bell-like sound and brilliant articulation with a new flexibility of line. By the time of his tragic death at 25--in a car accident in 1956--Brown had reshaped the jazz trumpet legacy for succeeding generations, influencing players from Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard to Wynton Marsalis and Roy Hargrove. This compilation shows how and why. His soaring leads and subtle accompaniments were clearly appreciated by singers, and there are appearances here with Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and Helen Merrill. That lyric bent is captured too in the gorgeous "Stardust," the rich, burnished brass of his horn cast against a lush backdrop of strings. But Brown's greatest moments come in the hard-bop quintets where you hear his special rhythmic invention matched with the giants of modern jazz drumming. "Wee Dot" is performed by a prototype of the Jazz Messengers, with Art Blakey and Horace Silver, while Brown is most frequently heard here in different versions of the quintet he lead with Max Roach. Brown's versions of his own "Joy Spring" and "Daahoud" are an essential part of modern jazz, while his creative exchange with tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins has rarely been equaled. --Stuart Broomer

Similarly Requested CDs

 

CD Reviews

The Ultimate vs. The Definitive Clifford Brown
Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 05/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Verve is the most shameless when it comes to issuing multiple anthologies by a single artist under titles such as "The Ultimate," "The Definitive," "The Best of." Since they have yet to release "The Best of the Best of," aside from purchasing all of the original albums a consumer has to make some tough choices (or assemble a personal favorite list compiled from downloaded mp3 files).



See my review of "The Ultimate Clifford Brown" for reasons to pick up that disc, compiled by trumpeter Nicholas Payton. There may be even more compelling reasons for selecting "The Definitive Clifford Brown." For one, it includes more tracks featuring the underrated Harold Land on tenor saxophone (a perfect complement to Clifford, practically "doubling" the sound of the trumpet). For another, it includes performances by Clifford of his two most famous compositions, "Joy Spring" and "Dahoud," as well as his spirited reading of "I'll Remember April." Unfortunately, the present album duplicates four of the tunes from the first collection and omits masterful Clifford solos such as those on "I Get a Kick Out of You," "Delilah," and "September Song" (an overlooked, muted-solo gem). And any collection that is truly "ultimate" or "definitive" would have to include his work on "Art Blakey Live at Birdland," not to mention his classic E flat blues riff, "Blues Walk," and his blazing solo on the Columbia recording of "Donna Lee."



Still, Clifford Brown may be the most non-controversial musician in the history of jazz, as admired for his lifestyle as his music and the favorite of most trumpet players I talk to. If you're new to him, "The Definitive" is probably the best place to start."
Simply The Greatest Trumpeter
Oliver Towne | Riverside, CA United States | 01/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's an old saying: "Whom the gods love, they take young." As soon as you hear the first few notes from Clifford's trumpet, you understand why the gods chose to snatch him away from us. For those just getting to know Clifford Brown, this compilation makes an excellent introduction. It contains a generous amount of material drawn from all the major works of his brief life, has good sound quality, and is reasonably priced. There's no need to go into a detailed analysis of the tracks--the music speaks for itself. Enjoy and be amazed."
Best trumpeter! Best Compilation so far!
Kenneth B | Richmond, VA United States | 12/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once upon a time, there was music. Of all Clifford Brown compilations this was is indeed the best. It highlites the superb moments of his musical career almost in chronological order. The last two songs are from the basin street recordings with Sonny Rollins by his side who was a member of this great band until it ended with the death of Brown. Clifford Browns amazing musical perception and his idealistic phrases on trumpet are original and technically unbelievable. Its true music if I ever heard it. I've studied just about every trumpeter out there, and Clifford Brown is the one I call the best student, and executer of the jazz music we put at the late bebop to mid hardbop period. A great moment indeed."