Albums That All Humans Should Own #10

Jim and Sonny

I’ve been thinking about Sonny Rollins lately and wanted to put out there again that despite saying I can’t bear to hear “St. Thomas,” I’m a big fan. 

It got me thinking about his music and what album of his I would pick as my all-time favourite. Yes, you know how I like lists and rankings when it comes to jazz.

My first thought was The Bridge (RCA Victor, 1962), which is one of his most famous albums and has all sorts of mythology around it. 

The story goes that Sonny was tired of the music biz and was feeling like his playing wasn’t developing like he wanted it to, so he walked away from recording and performing. 

Instead, he’d take his sax out to the Brooklyn Bridge and play for the pigeons, trash barges and passing cars. After a certain amount of time, Sonny felt ready and he returned to the studio and recorded one of the great jazz albums, The Bridge.

Now as much as I love The Bridge, this isn’t my recommendation of Albums That All Humans Should Own. It might come later, but I’m going a different direction today.

The reason The Bridge came to mind last night as a potential Favourite Sonny Rollins Album is due to Jim Hall’s appearance on that album.

I've written before about how much I love Jim’s playing. He’s one of the top few jazz guitarists of all time. I love his playing on The Bridge. He is unobtrusive and gives Sonny a perfect place to lay down his tenor sound. Jim played with just about everyone during his long career. If some evil genie said that you could only listen to albums that had Jim Hall on them, your jazz collection would still be fantastic.

If I were to list all of the Giants he played with, this post would be far too long, so here's a brief highlight of some of my favourite Jim collaborations: Bob Brookmeyer, Paul Desmond, Art Farmer, Jimmy Giuffre, Chico Hamilton and Hampton Hawes. 

So enough beating around the bush. 

ok, not the greatest cover, but the music is tops

Jim Hall Live! (Horizon, 1975) is my tenth pick of Albums That All Humans Should Own.

It’s a gorgeous record that shows the master at the apex of his powers. Maybe I also like the fact that it was recorded at a Toronto jazz club. By the time I moved to Toronto, the Bourbon Street club was closed, but there were still a few great places open back then.

I’ve said it many times: a trio sinks or swims on the strength of the group. The greatest trios have three players working together, it’s not just the leader’s show. Jim Hall’s trio on this date is fantastic.

Jim Hall-guitar

Don Thompson-bass

Terry Clarke-drums

Don Thompson on bass

It’s no secret I’m a fan of the bass, and even have a couple of them in my basement (or bassment? No, that’s a terrible pun, ignore that). Don Thompson is one of the best, though he won’t make many best-of lists. That’s okay. He doesn’t need a list. He’s got the talent. He sounds great backing Jim, but Don really shines when it’s time for his to take the spotlight. His solos are beautiful and perfectly suited for Jim’s sound. Don has a long list of credits and it’s no surprise that he was a sought after bassist.

He’s Canadian too, which is nice. Canada has a decent number of Jazz Greats, but we’ll save that topic for another time. Perhaps tonight over a stout?

Have a listen to 'Angel Eyes' and see for yourself why I love this album so much.

What's Spinning Today

The highlights of the day are two albums by artists that have recorded together (way back in the late 40's I believe... more research to come...)

The first is an alto saxophonist of whom I am eager to become more familiar. His music is energizing and his tone is crisp and clear and reminds me of an upbeat Paul Desmond.

'Smack Up' by the Art Pepper Quintet is highly recommended.

As I first picked up this disc I wondered if the title was a reference to heroin (truly a plague in jazz) and upon doing some research it was revealed that Art Pepper was indeed hooked and shortly after this album was released would serve time in prison for drug offenses.

How many jazz careers were cut short by junk? More than I care to think about. Certainly a somber topic for another post.

But let's remain joyous here and enjoy this fabulous collection of tunes. The title track is very strong, Las Cuevas De Mario is delightful as is How Can You Lose.  I love this album, even the two bonus tracks (two versions of the rollicking toe-tapping Solid Citizens) and it is certainly going to remain in heavy rotation here on the 20th floor for some time to come.

The second album is a live album by the late great Charles Mingus 'Mingus at the Bohemia'. As you can guess from the title of this blog, I am a huge Mingus fan. He put out several fabulous live albums over the  years and this one ranks up there with any of them. (The cover art is also fabulous!)  His basswork is spectacular as always, but it is his compositions that stand out. Who cannot marvel at Jump Monk or Work Song?  I feel fortunate to be listening to the extended tracks of this live gig that were collected on Mingus' 'The Complete Debut Recordings' which I found in a used CD shop in Toronto a couple of years ago and continue to pour over like a archeologist tinkering with Roman gold artifacts.

Though few jazz aficionados would dare argue that there is another bassist that rivals Mingus, I would go so far as to say that there are few composers that are his equal. Do you disagree?  Honestly?

The babies are waking up from their midday nap so, my friends, I will stop writing for now.  What jazz shall I introduce them to this afternoon?