Search - Clifford Brown, Max Roach :: Historic California Concerts 1954

For completists only

R comme Ralingue | Bordeaux, France | 04/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Max Roach and Clifford Brown at their debut in California in April 1954 with Teddy Edwards on tenor sax, Carl Perkins at the piano, and George Bledsoe at the bass. That's interesting for those who are fond of this quintet. The other set shows the group four months later with THE quintet (Harold Land on tenor sax, George Morrow on bass and Richie Powell at the drums). Talented Jordi Pujol seems to be keen on finding new stuff from radio broadcasting, but though the sound is excellent and the work on cover design is of neat quality (photographs are superb - that makes Fresh Sound one of the most interesting labels - ), the fact that the radio broadcaster intervenes between the cuts, well, it makes this record compulsory, only for completists. Anyway, there is a cut which is tremendous. This is "I get a kick out of you". Clifford Brown is at full strength, blowing all he's got. We really had a marvellous group here. 26 months later, Clifford and Richie Powell had a car accident. They both died. For those who are interested in live performances, please listen to Brownie's jamm session with Dinah Washington...



"

Clifford Brown puts together a string of musical ideas here

J. Cohen | Long Island, New York USA | 08/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the key jazz solos of the early '50s is 'Clifford's Axe'



Here it is, in excellent broadcast recording, and the bass even has a clean separation!!



I defy the jazz fan to find a more imaginatively thought-out solo that combines licks from Bird, Diz and Harry James. Give this track several listens; he never repeats a riff, and he never miffs a high-note, either. Perfect technique and perfect conception, Clifford could never be touched until '70s era Freddie Hubbard."