James Moody: The Blues And The Other Colors

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

This CD reissues a rather unusual James Moody date. Best known for his tenor and alto playing (although he is also recognized as a talented flutist), Moody is here heard exclusively on soprano and flute. Trombonist Tom McIntosh contributed a tune and arranged all eight pieces (which also include four Moody originals). Five of the numbers feature Moody in a nonet, including an emotional "Old Folks" and an advanced reworking of Duke Ellington's "Main Step." The other three numbers find Moody's flute joined by trombone, French horn, three strings, a rhythm section and Linda November's wordless vocalizing; of these, "Gone Are the Days" is quite eccentric, being turned into a protest piece with quite a few quotes from other songs. Throughout the CD, Moody plays quite well and sounds surprisingly effective on soprano, an instrument he would rarely return to in the future.

James Moody – The Blues And Other Colors Milestone Records Vinyl, LP US 1969 00:00 A1 Main Stem (Duke Ellington) 03:41 A2 Everyone Needs It (James Moody) 07:48 A3 Savannah Calling (Moody) 12:02 A4 A Statement (Moody) 17:20 B1 Gone Are The Days (Stephen Foster) 20:21 B2 Feeling Low (Moody) 25:19 B3 You Got To Pay (McIntosh) 28:40 B4 Old Folks (Robison-Hill) Tracks 1-4 and 8: James Moody (soprano sax (1-4) flute (4-8)) Johnny Coles (trumpet,flugelhorn) Tom McIntosh (trombone)ic bass) Joe Farrell (alto flute,oboe,as) Cecil Payne (baritone sax) Sam Brown (electric guitar ) Kenny Barron (piano) Ron Carter (bass (1 and 4) Ben Tucker (bass,electric bass) Freddie Waits (drums) Tracks 5 -7: James Moody (flute) Britt Woodman (trombone) Jim Buffington (french horn) Linda November (voice) Alfred Brown (viola) Charles McCracken, Kermit Moore (cellos) Dick Katz (piano) Ron Carter (bass) Connie Kay (drums)