Personnel:
Thad Jones (tp), Coleman Hawkins (ts), Eddie Costa (p, vib), Nat Pierce (p), George Duvivier (b), Osie Johnson (d)
Reference: FSRCD 743
Bar code: 8427328607438
The abiding contemporaneousness of Coleman Hawkins (1904-1969) became in the late Fifties something of a cliché. But cliché or not, he was a 56-year-old veteran who started in jazz 40 years earlier with Mamie Smiths Jazz Hounds, and who when he recorded these sessions more than held his own with younger jazzmen like Thad Jones and Eddie Costa. That is because Hawk was always ahead, harmonically. It was a thing of wonder, to be sure, to hear Hawkins blowing with those modernists in this relaxed set where none of the tempos rises above medium-up.
All frameworks for blowing are in the familiar mould of theme-solos-out chorus, and the full session finds Hawk in great form, as if hes got all the time in the world to make his point with a succession of gorgeous solos, full of warmth and invention. Thad Jones, always an intelligent player, is clever and distinctive on open or muted horn, Eddie Costa brings his individuality to bear on vibes and piano, contributing unconventionally and excitingly, while Duvivier and Johnson display fine rapport with him, blending together in a swinging, effective rhythm section.
Tracklisting:
01. Moodsville (6:13)
02. After Midnight (4:46)
03. Bean in Orbit (6:04)
04. Stalking (9:02)
05. Hassle (6:31)
06. Cross Town (5:04)
07. Shadows (5:42)
08. Cloudy (5:36)
09. Stake Out (6:15)
10. Almost Down (8:56)
The composers of these tunes were not credited on the original LP releases.
Sources:
Tracks #1-5, from the album "Coleman Hawkins and His Orchestra"
(Crown CST-206)
Tracks #6-10, from the album "The Hawk Swings" (Crown CST-224)
Personnel in both sessions:
Thad Jones (trumpet); Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax); Eddie Costa (piano & vibes); George Duvivier (bass); Osie Johnson (drums). Nat Pierce, piano on #7.
All sessions recorded in New York City, 1960
Original recordings produced by Cannonball Adderley (#1-7), and Orrin Keepnews (#8-14)
Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
-----------------------------------------------------
Review:
"The music included on this CD reissue has always been a bit mysterious. Recorded sometime in 1960, it was originally released on a pair of cheap-looking LPs by the Crown label. The composers of the songs have never been listed, although it is probable that some were written by tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, pianist Eddie Costa and trumpeter Thad Jones (who probably was responsible for the bulk of the tunes). Even for the 2004 reissue, the origin of the music is not known. None of the songs would become standards and they sound moderately modern for 1960 without being more advanced than hard bop.
Nat Pierce is the pianist on "Shadows" but otherwise all of the piano chores are taken by Eddie Costa, who also plays vibes on a couple numbers. Hawkins and Jones are both in excellent form, digging into the chord changes, some of which seem a little familiar although usually not based exactly on any earlier standard; an exception is "Shadows" which is very close to "Under a Blanket of Blue." The fact that Hawkins could sound so comfortable with modernists from younger generations is always impressive. Although falling slightly short of essential, this is certainly the best reissue of this obscure material."
Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
