Lionel Hampton & The Golden Men of Jazz - Live at the Blue Note

Golden men swing hard

This CD is a great joy for a swing and a mainstream fan such as myself...

From Al Grey's rumbunctious trombone to Hamp's hot mallets and sensitive ballad playing, from Terry's ebulent blowing (he was still at or near his prime) to "Sweets" Edison's slightly damaged musical economy of expression...
With great rhythm section (featuring good old Milt Hinton on bas, Hank Jones on piano and "the baby of the band" Grady Tate on drums), with more than solid sax work from Buddy Tate and more modern soloist James Moody (he was still in his prime), this CD couldn't have gone wrong.

Granted, some of the stars have seen better days, and that's the only reason why only four stars for a cd that gives me such great listening pleasure. Playing swing and be-bop repertoire (inluding Moody's hillarious vocal take on interpretation of his own solo - "I'm in the nood for love" - complete with yodeling at the end), these golden men create the feeling of a genuine jazz festival, with plenty of great and spontanious interplay - check out the last and so often played Hamp's "Boogie Woogie", but also "Flyin' Home" and "Lover"...

If you like this CD, check out the followin links (but don't be surprised if some of the musicians, particularly Edison, use same phrases on different versions of the same song....):Live at the IridiumCenterpiece -- Live at the Blue Note

For some magnificent mature Clark Terry see this beautiful duo albumTo Duke and Basie April 10, 2007

Great Live Album by Hamp

Just got this cd today and I came in expecting a great cd and this what I got. Hamp is at his best during this cd with songs like Flyin Home, Hamp's Boogie Woogie, and Hamp's Note. If you like high engery jazz then this cd is for you. May 17, 2001

Current Lionel Hampton

Hampton got together with a bunch of old buddies in the early 1990s to make this great CD. Still smiling and playing, Hampton plays right through these songs. Backed by greats: Milt Hinton, Grady Tate, Buddy Tate, James Moody, Al Grey, Clark Terry, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Hank Jones. The tune "Flyin' Home" is always a Hampton favorite and James Moody shows his goofy side on "Moody's Mood For Love." The CD ends at the end of the set at the Blue Note as the horn players are leaving, Hampton calls another tune. They play a short "Boogie-Woogie" with just the rhythm section, Lionel, and Al Grey. Very enjoyable CD. June 5, 1998

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