The Complete Blue Note Recordings Of Art Blakey's 1960 Jazz Messengers Vol. 1

The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Art Blakey's 1960 Jazz Messengers Review

 

by Ron Wynn

Drummer Art Blakey led many great editions of the Jazz Messengers from the inaugural mid-'50s sessions until his death in the '90s. While arguments rage regarding which was his best, there is no doubt that the 1960-1961 unit figures in the debate. This wonderful six-disc set, notated with care and painstaking detail by Bob Blumenthal, covers studio and live sessions from March 6, 1960, to May 27, 1961, with the same personnel on all but two songs. Producer Michael Cuscuna used only first issue dates, and while he included some alternate takes, he did not litter the discs with second-rate vault material. They smoothly detail the band's evolution, cohesion, and maturation. This set, as with all Mosaic boxes, goes beyond essential. Get it post haste.

Art Blakey

The Complete Blue Note Recordings Of Art Blakey's 1960 Jazz Messengers

Vol.1

1.1 It's Only A Paper Moon (Alternate) 00:00 1.2 It's Only A Paper Moon 06:22 1.3 Dat Dere 13:02 1.4 The Chess Players 21:55 1.5 Lester Left Town 31:29 1.6 Sakeena's Vision 37:56 1.7 Politely 44:03 1.8 When Your Lover Has Gone 50:08 1.9 Noise In The Attic 56:54 1.10 Sleeping Dancer Sleep On (Alternate) 01:04:49 Drums – Art Blakey Trumpet – Lee Morgan Piano – Bobby Timmons Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter Bass – Jymie Merritt Recorded

March & August, 1960