Donald Byrd • At The Half Note Cafe, Volumes 1 & 2

Review
by Thom Jurek  
This 2004 remastered Rudy Van Gelder edition of Donald Byrd's At the Half Note Cafe (the original double-disc version was only issued for the first time in 2000) appears to add one extra track -- "Theme (Pure D. Funk)," which clocks in at 1:51 and is also on the second volume in its full form, and a slightly shorter version of "Cecille." Here it clocks it at 12:52; on the 2000 issue it was 14:46. The sequence has also been altered slightly. The real deal is that, while this is the live date showcasing the Byrd quintet with Pepper Adams (and with Duke Pearson, Lex Humphries, and Laymon Jackson in the rhythm section), there is little here to make this worth purchasing yet again if you have the previous set. The sound is only marginally better -- and is likely only to be noticed by audiophiles. However, if you don't have the originals, this is one of the most essential hard bop purchases in the canon. The performances of Pearson -- of his own four tunes, five by Byrd, and the standards -- showcase his improvisational acumen at its height. His soloing on studio records pales in comparison. This was a hot quintet, one that not only swung hard, but possessed a deep lyricism and an astonishing sense of timing, and one need only this set by them to feel the full measure of their worth. Forget the Riverside date that caught them live early on; this is the one.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/donald-byrd-at-the-half-note-cafe-vols-1-2-mw0000594775

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Reseña
por Thom Jurek  
Esta edición remasterizada por Rudy Van Gelder en 2004 de At the Half Note Cafe de Donald Byrd (la versión original de doble disco sólo se publicó por primera vez en 2000) parece añadir un tema extra -- "Theme (Pure D. Funk)", que dura 1:51 y también está en el segundo volumen en su forma completa, y una versión ligeramente más corta de "Cecille". Aquí dura 12:52, mientras que en la edición de 2000 duraba 14:46. La secuencia también se ha modificado ligeramente. El verdadero problema es que, aunque ésta es la fecha en directo en la que aparece el quinteto de Byrd con Pepper Adams (y con Duke Pearson, Lex Humphries y Laymon Jackson en la sección rítmica), hay poco aquí que haga que merezca la pena comprarlo de nuevo si se tiene el disco anterior. El sonido es sólo ligeramente mejor, y es probable que sólo lo noten los audiófilos. Sin embargo, si usted no tiene los originales, esta es una de las compras más esenciales de hard bop en el canon. Las interpretaciones de Pearson -de sus cuatro temas, cinco de Byrd y los estándares- muestran su capacidad de improvisación en su apogeo. Sus solos en discos de estudio palidecen en comparación. Este era un quinteto ardiente, que no sólo tocaba con fuerza, sino que poseía un profundo lirismo y un asombroso sentido de la sincronización, y uno sólo necesita este conjunto de ellos para sentir toda la medida de su valía. Olvídense de la cita de Riverside en la que los vieron en directo al principio; ésta es la mejor.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/donald-byrd-at-the-half-note-cafe-vols-1-2-mw0000594775

Tracks:
 - Volume 1 -
1-1 - Intro By Ruth Mason - 1:20
1-2 - My Girl Shirl - 10:32
1-3 - Soulful Kiddy - 9:55
1-4 - Child's Play - 8:45
1-5 - Chant - 11:03
1-6 - A Portrait Of Jennie - 6:48
1-7 - Cecile - 14:46
 - Volume 2 -
2-1 - Jeannine - 13:08
2-2 - Pure D. Funk - 6:09
2-3 - Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea - 9:54
2-4 - Theme From Mr. Lucky - 10:51
2-5 - Kimyas - 11:58
2-6 - When Sunny Gets Blue - 6:17


Credits:
    Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
    Bass – Laymon Jackson
    Design – Patrick Roques
    Design [Cover] – Reid Miles
    Drums – Lex Humphries
    Liner Notes – Leonard Feather
    Piano – Duke Pearson
    Producer – Alfred Lion
    Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
    Reissue Producer – Michael Cuscuna
    Transferred By [Digital Transfer] – Ron McMaster
    Trumpet – Donald Byrd

Notes:
cat # of Disc 1 : 7243 8571882 3
cat# of Disc 2 : 7243 8571892 2
Recorded on November 11, 1960

Label:    Blue Note – CDP 7243 8 57187 2 4
Series:    Doubletime Series
Country:    US
Released:    1997
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Bop, Hard Bop
https://www.discogs.com/release/11011979-Donald-Byrd-At-The-Half-Note-Cafe-Volumes-1-2

 

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