Freddie Green • Mr.Rhythm

 

Review
by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Freddie Green seldom led sessions and seldom played lead. Instead, he formed part of the classic rhythm section that gave the Count Basie band its steady pulse. This rare date finds Green with tenor Al Cohn, trumpeter Joe Newman, trombonist Henry Coker, pianist Nat Pierce, bassist Milt Hinton, and either Jo Jones or Osie Johnson on drums. Mr. Rhythm, in fact, will remind many of a good Basie set. The steady drums, bass, and guitar on "Back and Forth" and "Something's Gotta Give" push the music forward, swinging ever so lightly. Nat Pierce's minimalist piano work also owes something to Basie. He adds small flourishes to the rhythm of pieces like "Easy Does It," and only a scattering of tastefully chosen notes on his solo. Coker and Cohn deliver nice solos on "When You Wish Upon a Star," with the trombone's lovely tone and the tenor's deep, mellow pitch complimenting the romanticism of the piece. Newman offers a concise, discerning solos on "Free and Easy" and "Learnin' the Blues." He uses a mute for both solos, perfectly capturing a calm, bluesy mood. Of course Green doesn't solo, and while his guitar is often barely audible, his presence is always felt. This album shows him to be a fine leader who is happy to remain in his role as rhythm guitarist. For fans of Green, and for those who enjoy swinging jazz with great soloists, Mr. Rhythm is a fine release.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/mr-rhythm-mw0000587365

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Reseña
por Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Freddie Green rara vez dirigía las sesiones y rara vez tocaba como líder. En cambio, formó parte de la clásica sección rítmica que dio a la banda de Count Basie su pulso constante. Esta rara fecha encuentra a Green con el tenor Al Cohn, el trompetista Joe Newman, el trombonista Henry Coker, el pianista Nat Pierce, el bajista Milt Hinton, y Jo Jones u Osie Johnson en la batería. Mr. Rhythm, de hecho, recordará a muchos un buen conjunto de Basie. La batería, el bajo y la guitarra en "Back and Forth" y "Something's Gotta Give" empujan la música hacia adelante, balanceándose ligeramente. El trabajo de piano minimalista de Nat Pierce también debe algo a Basie. Añade pequeñas florituras al ritmo de piezas como "Easy Does It", y sólo un par de notas elegidas con gusto en su solo. Coker y Cohn ofrecen bonitos solos en "When You Wish Upon a Star", con el encantador tono del trombón y el profundo y suave tono del tenor que complementan el romanticismo de la pieza. Newman ofrece unos solos concisos y exigentes en "Free and Easy" y "Learnin' the Blues". Utiliza una sordina para ambos solos, capturando perfectamente un estado de ánimo tranquilo y bluesero. Por supuesto, Green no hace solos, y aunque su guitarra es a menudo apenas audible, su presencia siempre se siente. Este álbum muestra que es un buen líder que se alegra de permanecer en su papel de guitarrista rítmico. Para los fans de Green, y para aquellos que disfrutan del jazz con grandes solistas, Mr.es un buen lanzamiento.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/mr-rhythm-mw0000587365

Tracks:
1 - Up In The Blues 2:32
2 - Down For Double 3:57
3 - Back And Forth 2:16
4 - Free And Easy 3:23
5 - Learnin' The Blues 3:27
6 - Feed Bag 2:57
7 - Something's Gotta Give 2:52
8 - Easy Does It 3:41
9 - Little Red 2:07
10 - Swinging Back 3:21
11 - A Date With Ray 4:51
12 - When You Wish Upon A Star 2:36


Credits:
    Arranged By – Al Cohn (tracks: A1, A2, B1), Ernie Wilkins (tracks: A3, B3 to B6), Manny Albam (tracks: A4 to A6, B2)
    Bass – Milt Hinton
    Drums – Jonathan Jones*, Osie Johnson
    Piano – Nat Pierce
    Rhythm Guitar – Freddie Green
    Sleeve Notes – Nat Shapiro
    Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Al Cohn
    Trombone – Henry Coker
    Trumpet – Joe Newman

Label:    RCA Victor – LPM-1210
Released:    1956
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Swing
https://www.discogs.com/release/5382968-Freddie-Green-Mr-Rhythm

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