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AVID Jazz here presents four classic Johnny Hodges albums, including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. 'Castle Rock', 'In A Mellow Tone', 'Perdido' and 'Creamy'. For all those who may have thought the cool, rather forbidding sax player alongside the legendary Duke Ellington was just a side man, AVID's latest Four Classic Albums release showcases Johnny Hodges in his own right. Beginning with 'Castle Rock' a track written by Ellington sideman Al Sears we hear both sides of the Hodges style, both mellow and hard hitting! Hodges is joined by many Ellington alumni across our four classic albums and indeed as we will discover the Duke and his legendary writing partner Billy Strayhorn are featured writers on many tracks. However it is 'Rabbit' who we can really focus on while we enjoy these fine solo albums. All four albums have been digitally re-mastered for probably the finest sound quality ever!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The four albums collected here, recorded by Johnny Hodges small groups during the years he was away from the Ellington orchestra, combine to give a very enjoyable listening experience for all lovers of mainstream jazz.
'Castle Rock' and 'In a Mellow Tone' were recorded by the small band Hodges lead in the early 1950's. As well as the leader's immaculate alto, there are fine solos from Lawrence Brown, Emmett Berry and Al Sears. In addition there are guest appearances from Ben Webster and Flip Philips which are most enjoyable.
'Perdido' and 'Creamy' were - apart from two sub-standard vocals by Al Hibbler - both recorded in 1955. The first album - apart from the aforementioned vocal tracks - is very much a blowing session. There are splendid solos from Hodges, Lawrence Brown, and 'Shorty' Baker and, at the heart of a superb rhythm section, is the inspired drumming of Louis Bellson.
'Creamy' is by a larger group with a front line of Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Clark Terry, Jimmy Hamilton and Harry Carney. The rhythm section of Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Woode and Sonny Greer are a superb unit. A ballad medley opens proceedings - this was after all a Norman Granz session! - with Hodges and Strayhorn outstanding. Then follow two up-tempo swingers from Hodges' pen with some splendid solos from all concerned. The album continues with two Strayhorn originals which are features for Hodges' superlative ballad playing and concludes with a gently rocking mid-tempo blues by the leader. With fine solos from Hodges, Clark Terry, Carney, Hamilton, Brown and Strayhorn, it is the stand-out track from the session and brings the whole album to a triumphant conclusion.
At its very economical price this album is a 'must' for all lovers of fine mainstream. Buy and enjoy!
'Castle Rock' and 'In a Mellow Tone' were recorded by the small band Hodges lead in the early 1950's. As well as the leader's immaculate alto, there are fine solos from Lawrence Brown, Emmett Berry and Al Sears. In addition there are guest appearances from Ben Webster and Flip Philips which are most enjoyable.
'Perdido' and 'Creamy' were - apart from two sub-standard vocals by Al Hibbler - both recorded in 1955. The first album - apart from the aforementioned vocal tracks - is very much a blowing session. There are splendid solos from Hodges, Lawrence Brown, and 'Shorty' Baker and, at the heart of a superb rhythm section, is the inspired drumming of Louis Bellson.
'Creamy' is by a larger group with a front line of Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Clark Terry, Jimmy Hamilton and Harry Carney. The rhythm section of Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Woode and Sonny Greer are a superb unit. A ballad medley opens proceedings - this was after all a Norman Granz session! - with Hodges and Strayhorn outstanding. Then follow two up-tempo swingers from Hodges' pen with some splendid solos from all concerned. The album continues with two Strayhorn originals which are features for Hodges' superlative ballad playing and concludes with a gently rocking mid-tempo blues by the leader. With fine solos from Hodges, Clark Terry, Carney, Hamilton, Brown and Strayhorn, it is the stand-out track from the session and brings the whole album to a triumphant conclusion.
At its very economical price this album is a 'must' for all lovers of fine mainstream. Buy and enjoy!
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Avid continues its policy of value for money with this reissue of four classic albums by Ellington's famous sideman, here fronting his own groups. Both Castle Rock and In A Mellow Tone were recorded in the early fifties. The latter album was also issued as Memories of Duke Ellington, and just to confuse matters there are other issues entitled In a Mellow Tone, one live, the other with Wild Bill Davis. Both Perdido (which was also issued as Johnny Hodges Dance Bash!) and Creamy date from 1955, but for the two Al Hibbler vocals on Perdido.
In general, my own preference is for the music of the twenties and thirties, so I approached this with some caution. In the event I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the recordings, both for the excellence of the ensemble playing and the solos. Castle Rock, which gave the newly-independent Hodges an early hit, swings the most - and throws in an alternate take of The Jeep Is Jumping for good measure. In A Mellow Tune is the most Ellington oriented of the four, whilst Perdido allows the most time for the soloists to stretch out. Finally, Creamy (as the title suggests) is centred around the art of the ballad, at which Hodges excelled.
In general, my own preference is for the music of the twenties and thirties, so I approached this with some caution. In the event I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the recordings, both for the excellence of the ensemble playing and the solos. Castle Rock, which gave the newly-independent Hodges an early hit, swings the most - and throws in an alternate take of The Jeep Is Jumping for good measure. In A Mellow Tune is the most Ellington oriented of the four, whilst Perdido allows the most time for the soloists to stretch out. Finally, Creamy (as the title suggests) is centred around the art of the ballad, at which Hodges excelled.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I generally don't go for cheap re-issue labels but i have to admit that those guys at AVID are doing a fantastic job. Here is 4 reasons why you should buy this set
1. All 4 titles in this package were recorded in the Norman Granz stable of labels (Clef / Norgran / Verve) between 1951 and 1955.
2. You can currently find this music in ridiculously priced Japanese issues only.
3. The sound does justice to the music (better than some earlier AVID reissues).
4. The man himself is a joy to my ears: Johnny Hodges had THE most beatiful sound on the alto horn ever.
Basically AVID gives you the opportunity to obtain a good chunck of music which has only been available (a long time ago) on a Mosaic box set, for a tiny fraction of the price. And they have done this with respect and good taste: you get the original artwork, original liner notes, recording dates and personel. Well done!!!
1. All 4 titles in this package were recorded in the Norman Granz stable of labels (Clef / Norgran / Verve) between 1951 and 1955.
2. You can currently find this music in ridiculously priced Japanese issues only.
3. The sound does justice to the music (better than some earlier AVID reissues).
4. The man himself is a joy to my ears: Johnny Hodges had THE most beatiful sound on the alto horn ever.
Basically AVID gives you the opportunity to obtain a good chunck of music which has only been available (a long time ago) on a Mosaic box set, for a tiny fraction of the price. And they have done this with respect and good taste: you get the original artwork, original liner notes, recording dates and personel. Well done!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great value mainstream jazz
My interest in mainstream jazz goes back to my school days in the later 50s, and who better to represent this than the great JH. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Chris King
Pity About Track 1
Very good value for Money . Really great listening. One small moan Track 1 ie "Castle Rock " shown as 2. 54 mins on the Download List, yet on the Sleeve is 2 . 48. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Roger Snelgar
Tenor?
I think if you do a little research you'll find that Hodges is playing alto sax. I believe he was quite well known for it! Very good compilation with little "overblown" about it.
Published 19 months ago by hs
Hesitant Purchase
I was hesitant to try out this album since there are times when Johnny Hodges produces a tone from his tenor which is slightly coarse due to what I put down to over blowing. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. J. O. Savage
More than the means to say it.....
Johnny Hodges was inimitable and this collection is an inexpensive way of learning why.
He was in short one of those jazz musicians to whom a personal vocabulary came as... Read more
He was in short one of those jazz musicians to whom a personal vocabulary came as... Read more
Published 21 months ago by N. Jones
Johny Hodges CD
Had one of these LPs which is rather worse for wear. To find this one and three others on a execellently priced CD was a great find. Ordered and dispatched the same day. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Robert M. Dodds
NOT SO ESSENTIAL JOHNNY HODGES
As can be seen in my reviews of the 6 marvellous Lonehill CD's covering the latter part of Johnny Hodges career as a leader of his own group (operating independently from his... Read more
Published 22 months ago by W. BUTLER
A bargain for Hodges fans and music lovers everywhere.
What can you say?
I have been waiing for reissues of albums lile these for years and suddenly four turn up at once! Read more
I have been waiing for reissues of albums lile these for years and suddenly four turn up at once! Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mr. V. Lawrance
Red-hot Rabbit
Absolutely delicious. This must be the best bargain collection jazz recordings of the decade.
However, when MP3s are available I wish there was some way of publishing... Read more
However, when MP3s are available I wish there was some way of publishing... Read more
Published on 20 May 2010 by Mr. Michael Cox
great music
most of the previous reviewers have times,dates etc,the mosiac set was actually only on vinyl,the later later 56/61 recordings are on cd. Read more
Published on 19 May 2010 by R. S. Bernard
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