Search - Fred Anderson :: Birdhouse

You'll have to search for this one

John C. Graham | toronto, ontario Canada | 07/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
I think it's been out of print for a while now, but well worth searching for. It's a standard quartet with Fred on tenor, Jim Baker on piano, Harrison Bankhead on bass, and the always wonderful Hamid Drake on drums. The first 3 tracks were recorded in 95, the fourth track in 94. The music is spectacular!



Ten years ago, Fred was just in his 60's and playing like a man possessed. Over the course of the four long tunes, Fred creates wonderful, imaginative improvisations. He's got that great gutsy tone, that Chicago sound, a big sound like Gene Ammons had. He's part of that lineage but Fred is his own man. You can hear elements of hard bop, rhythm and blues, and even Coltrane throughout the program.



It's a great studio recording and should not be missed by anyone interested in the tenor legacy. OKKA should put it back in circulation. Amazon should carry it. You should buy it!"