Chicago native Johnny Griffin was undoubtedly one of the greatest artists to ever play the tenor saxophone. His technical capacity at high velocity tempi was legendary, earning him the nicknames "fastest gun in the West" and "Little Giant." Not mere empty displays, Griffin's virtuosity served his expressive needs.
This three-CD collection features live sessions from the '60s-80s. "I think that you need an audience to bring the personality out of yourself," Griffin said in an interview with Bob Bernotas. "That's why I hate to play in the studio, 'cause I don't have anyone to play to. When I play I like the vibrations of people, 'cause it helps me create. I want to see people, not microphones." ~Greg Thomas
Album:
From Johnny Griffin With Love (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:36
Size: 159.3 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2009
[17:34] 1. What Is This Thing Called Love
[ 9:26] 2. Body And Soul
[ 4:47] 3. Wee Dot
[19:20] 4. Doctor's Blues
[ 9:56] 5. Exactly Like You
[ 8:30] 6. A Night In Tunisia
The first CD, recorded at the Montmartre Jazzhouse in Denmark in 1964, has him with drummer Art Taylor, pianist Kenny Drew and 18-year-old wunderkind bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, who displays the facility and agility that made him a favorite of Griffin, Dexter Gordon and Oscar Peterson. Taylor and Griffin perform "Wee Dot" at a furious pace and on "What Is This Thing Called Love," Drew's comping and solos sparkle. A gentle treatment of "Body and Soul" highlights the soft and furry side of Griffin's personality. Yet the most intriguing cut here may be Griffin's original "Doctor's Blues." He alternates singing mock mournful lyrics with melancholy riffs on tenor and brings laughter to bear on the blues. ~Greg Thomas
From Johnny Griffin With Love (Disc 1)
Album:
From Johnny Griffin With Love (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:50
Size: 166.7 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front
[10:47] 1. Blues Up And Down
[ 9:55] 2. Oh, Gee
[10:39] 3. Call It What You Wanna
[12:10] 4. Funky Fluke
[14:40] 5. Hey Lock
[11:15] 6. Lester Leaps In
[ 3:20] 7. Intermission Riff
The second CD fast-forwards 20 years to the last recording of Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, a fellow "tough tenor" with whom he partnered on nine records. Davis was an original stylist comfortable in any genre from swing to hard bop and a wonderful foil for Griffin, as on "Blues Up and Down" and "Lester Leaps In," where Davis' unorthodox, gruff phrasing contrasts with Griff's sinewy runs and high-note screams. Another Griff blues, "Call It What You Wanna," is notable for the tight accompaniment by drummer Kenny Washington - Drums, bassist Curtis Lundy and the pianist Harry Pickens. The song is also another example of Griffin's fine writing skills, an asset best demonstrated on The Cat, his 1991 masterpiece. ~Greg Thomas
From Johnny Griffin With Love (Disc 2)
Album:
From Johnny Griffin With Love (Disc 3)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:57
Size: 157.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2009
[ 8:39] 1. Just Friends
[14:06] 2. If I Should Lose You
[13:24] 3. Hush-A-Bye
[14:45] 4. Slukefter Blues
[12:15] 5. Isfahan
[ 5:46] 6. Rhythm-A-Ning
Kenny Drew, who like Griffin was an African-American expatriate in Europe, rejoins him for Disc Three, a joyous affair recorded in Copenhagen in 1989. On "Just Friends" Griffin still plays fast but not with as many notes; by this point he had nothing to prove. The mid-tempo "If I Should Lose You" finds him alternating between swift passages and allusions to the melody in a mid-song cadenza. Billy Strayhorn's "Isfahan" is taken at such a slow tempo that Griffin luxuriates in a Ben Webster-like reverie of lush tones. Evidence of a mellower Griffin is apparent on this date, his intensity and fire tempered by maturity. ~Greg Thomas
From Johnny Griffin With Love (Disc 3)
