Ellingtonia Moods & Bues + Gettin' Together (2 LP on 1 CD)

Born in Brockton, Massachusetts on July 12, 1920, to parents from Cape Verde, Gonsalves first instrument was the guitar. He played sax as a member of the Sabby Lewis Orchestra before and after his military service during World War II). He later played with the big bands of Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie, prior to joining Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1950. At the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, Gonsalves' solo on Ellington's song Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue contained 27 choruses; the publicity from this is credited with reviving Ellingtons career.

This release contains the two LPs recorded by Paul Gonsalves as a leader in 1960: 'Ellingtonia Moods & Blues' and 'Gettin Together!'. The first album presents Gonsalves in a septet format, surrounded by Ellingtonian friends Johnny Hodges and Ray Nance, among others, while the second features him in a more modern quintet setting with Nat Adderley, Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones and Jimmy Cobb.


Tracklisting:
01. Its Something That You Ought To Know 4:17
02. Chocataw 7:24
03. The Line-Up 5:27
04. Way, Way Back 5:07
05. Daydream 3:27
06. Im Beginning To See The Light 4:04
07. D.A. Blues 6:26
08. Yesterdays 3:35
09. J. And B. Blues 5:00
10. I Surrender Dear 4:24
11. Hard Groove 5:00
12. Low Gravy 7:55
13. I Cover The Waterfront 4:09
14. Gettin Together 4:57
15. Walkin 4:45

Total time: 76:06 min.

Sources:
Tracks #1-7, from the 12" LP "Ellingtonia Moods & Blues" (RCA 731071)
Tracks #8-15 from the 12" LP "Gettin' Together!" (Jazzland JLP936S)

Personnel on #1-7:
Paul Gonsalves (ts), with Johnny Hodges (as), Ray Nance (tp), Mitchell 'Booty' Wood (ts), Jimmy Jones (p), Al Hall (b), Oliver Jackson (d).
Recorded in New York, on February 29, 1960

Personnel on #8-15:
Paul Gonsalves (ts), Nat Adderley (cnt), Wynton Kelly (p), Sam Jones (b), Jimmy Cobb (d).
Recorded in New York, on December 20, 1960
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Reviews:

-Ellingtonia Moods & Blues

"Paul Gonsalves was considered some kind of new genius of the tenor saxophone after he blew an astounding 27 choruses with Duke Ellington's Orchestra on the Duke's "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue" at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. [...] Ellingtonia Moods & Blues brings back a 1960 date featuring Gonsalves and other Ellington soloists. Although nominally credited to Gonsalves, this, in fact, is a co-chaired date with Johnny Hodges. Hodges shares the composing, arranging and -- as always -- swinging soloing. Add the fine trumpet work of Ray Nance and the swinging trombone work of Booty Wood -- both contributing just the right blend to offset the two saxophonists -- and this makes for one potent date. The rhythm section is solid and supportive, with great playing from Jimmy Jones on piano, Al Hall on bass, and Oliver Jackson on drums. Gonsalves plays his usual breathy tenor, full of warmth and depth, caressing his notes in much the same time-honored manner as Hodges, making their solos on the Duke's "Daydream" a study in both similarities and contrasts. The set also features three seldom-heard Gonsalves tunes ("Chocataw" and "The Line-Up") and a Hodges tune ("D.A. Blues"), along with songs that Hodges co-wrote for the Ellington band, like "I'm Beginning to See the Light." This is jazz from the days when albums were recorded in one day, and that was a good thing."

Cub Koda -All Music Guide

-Gettin' Together!

"The most easily available of tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves' infrequent sessions as a leader, this CD is a straight reissue of his original Jazzland LP. Three songs (including two ballads) showcase Gonsalves in a quartet with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Jimmy Cobb, while five other pieces add cornetist Nat Adderley (in his prime during the era) to the band. The music is straight-ahead and shows that Gonsalves was quite capable of playing with younger "modernists."

Scott Yanow -All Music Guide