Lou Donaldson: Good Gracious -1997 Blue Note Reissue Stereo 12" Record

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1997 Stereo Reissue of Classic 1963 Blue Note Release of Bandleader/Composer/Alto Saxophone Master Lou Donaldson Entitled "good gracious!", Produced by Alfred Lion, Recording Engineer Is Rudy Van Gelder, Cover Design by Reid Miles, Original Liner Notes by Joe Goldberg, Originally Recorded at the Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on January 24 of 1963 - "Lou Donaldson has long been an excellent bop altoist influenced by Charlie Parker, but with a more blues-based style of his own. His distinctive tone has been heard in a variety of small-group settings, and he has recorded dozens of worthy and spirited (if somewhat predictable) sets throughout the years. Donaldson started playing clarinet when he was 15, soon switching to the alto. He attended college and performed in a Navy band while in the military. Donaldson first gained attention when he moved to New York and in 1952 started recording for Blue Note as a leader. At the age of 25, his style was fully formed, and although it would continue growing in depth through the years, Donaldson had already found his sound. In 1954, he participated in a notable gig with Art Blakey, Clifford Brown, Horace Silver, and Tommy Potter that was extensively documented by Blue Note and that directly predated the Jazz Messengers. However, Donaldson was never a member of the Messengers, and although he recorded as a sideman in the '50s and occasionally afterwards with Thelonious Monk, Milt Jackson, and Jimmy Smith, among others, he has been a bandleader from the mid-'50s up until the present. Donaldson's early Blue Note recordings were pure bop. In 1958, he began often utilizing a conga player, and starting in 1961, his bands often had an organist rather than a pianist. His bluesy style was easily transferable to soul-jazz, and he sounded most original in that context. His association with Blue Note (1952-1963) was succeeded by some excellent (if now-scarce) sets for Cadet and Argo (1963-1966). The altoist returned to Blue Note in 1967 and soon became caught up in the increasingly commercial leanings of the label. For a time, he utilized an electronic Varitone sax, which completely watered down his sound. The success of "Alligator Boogaloo" in 1967 led to a series of less interesting funk recordings that were instantly dated and not worthy of his talent. However, after a few years off records, Lou Donaldson's artistic return in 1981 and subsequent soul-jazz and hard bop dates for Muse, Timeless, and Milestone have found the altoist back in prime form, interacting with organists and pianists alike and showing that his style is quite timeless." - "Good Gracious may be Lou Donaldson's record, but guitarist Grant Green and organist John Patton steal the show. Working with a tight, soulful groove laid down by drummer Ben Dixon, the guitarist and organist trade hot lines that often steal the thunder from Donaldson, who nevertheless turns in a robust, tuneful performance. Donaldson's tone is richer and fuller than it is on many of his early-'60s records, and he really connects with the laid-back R&B grooves and soul-jazz vamps on Good Gracious, turning in melodic, memorable solos. However, Grant and Patton take the songs even further with their intense solos and fills; Patton, in particular, sounds on fire even when the tempo is mellow. Good Gracious still falls prey to some of the lazy tempos that pop up on most Lou Donaldson records, but it remains one of his finest soul-jazz sessions." - Sensational Personnel for the Quartet Features Living Legend Lou Donaldson on Alto Saxophone, the Brilliant Grant Green on Guitar, the Great Big John Patton on Organ and the Amazing Ben Dixon on Drums! - Selections on Side 1 Are Original Lou Donaldson Compositions Bad John, the Holy Ghost at 8 Minutes 36 Seconds & the Don Redman Classic Cherry - Songs for Side 2 Consist of the Lou Donaldson Penned Caracas at 7 Minutes 17 Seconds, the Title Track and the Rube Bloom/Ted Koehler Standard Don't Worry 'Bout Me - Used Copy, Cover Has a Slightly Bent Upper Right Corner & Is Fraying at Opening, Side 1 Has a Couple of Light Marks, Side 2 Has some Light Surface Wear - Stereo Recording, Product Code B1 7243 8 54325 1 4 - California Residents Add 10.25% Sales Tax - International S & H Extra