AVID Jazz here presents four classic and some hard to find or expensive Tommy Flanagan albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. Never the most high profile or highly regarded jazz pianist, possibly because of his undynamic approach, self effacement and modesty, Tommy Flanagan is however highly regarded amongst his fellow musicians. He has been the pianist of choice for many classic jazz albums including Coltranes 'Giant Steps' and Sonny Rollins' 'Saxophone Colossus'. 'Jazz......It's Magic', 'The King And I', 'Trio Overseas' and 'The Cats'. 'For Jazz.....It's Magic', recorded in 1957 when Tommy was just 27 years old he is joined by a fine group of up and coming musicians. Curtis Fuller on trombone, Sonny Redd on alto, George Tucker on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. This is a hard to find or expensive early classic which is even difficult to find as the re-issue bearing Tommy Flanagan's name as the leader! 'The King And I' was originally released under trumpeter Wilbur Harden s name in 1958 and is now also very difficult to find. The re-issue under Tommy Flanagan's name and titled 'Plays the Music Of Rodgers & Hammerstein' is again, also hard to find or expensive! The quartet which includes Tommy on piano, Wilbur Harden on trumpet, George Duvivier on bass and G.T.Hogan on drums take on the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'The King And I' and brings to the classic tunes a jazz edge all the while leaving the fine melodies in tact and recognisable! 'Trio Overseas' recorded in Stockholm in 1957, is often best remembered for its clever cover artwork (check it out and work it out, on our cover)! However the music is of course paramount and here we have another classic Flanagan outing. The trio comprises Tommy on piano, Wilbur Little on bass and the legendary Elvin Jones on drums, all from the J.J.Johnson band who had been touring Europe when Tommy started to garner rave revues and had decided to go out on his own after Johnson had disbanded the group back in the States. 'The Cats' recorded in April 1957 and aptly named as it features one of the greatest jazz cats who ever played the tenor............Mr..John Coltrane. Fellow cats include Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, Kenny Burrell on guitar. Doug Watkins on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. All four albums have been digitally re-mastered.
M**E
Pianist In the Foreground
I have often noticed Tommy Flanagan before as a sideman, part of the rhythm section on many recordings and even with a solo spot but this album is a revelation when he leads his own groups. The King And I was originally issued by the Wilbur Harden Quartet. Wilbur is a fine jazz trumpet player whose range and imagination give new life to the show tunes. If you have not met Wilbur before this item alone is worth the price of the whole album. Recorded on 23 & 30 September 1958, it was originally a Savoy LP. "Jazz ...It's Magic" was a Joint venture with trombonist Curtis Fuller and Sonny Redd on alto sax,recorded 5th September 1957 . The album consists of an extended medley, which includes "It's Magic" to justify the title, and four Fuller originals which seem to have a railway theme. Straightforward small group jazz if a bit lacking in inspiration.. Tommy leads his own Trio on "Trio Overseas", recorded in Stockholm on 15 August 1957,- hence the title.this gives him a chance to show his versatility on three standards (Relaxin' At Camarillo, Chelsea Bridge and Willow Weep For Me) and six of his own compositions, one of which, Eclypso, also appears on "The Cats" which was recorded by the Prestige All Stars on 16th April 1957. The Stars include John Coltrane, Idrees Suleiman and Kenny Burrell who appear on four of the five tracks which are all Flanagan compositions. The odd one out is a trio version of "How Long Has This Been Going On".Overall a thoroughly enjoyable if somewhat uneven double CD although I have deducted one star because I feel it was rather naughty of Avid to put this out under Tommy Flanagan's name as he was only the leader on one and a half of the four original LPs.
B**R
Five Stars
Very good quality
A**L
Five Stars
easy listening
Trustpilot
3 days ago
4 days ago
