egroj world: Booker Ervin • The Song Book

Friday, October 4, 2024

Booker Ervin • The Song Book

Review by Scott Yanow
The second in tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin's Book series, this CD reissue may seem a bit more conservative than the others due to the inclusion of six standards (including "Come Sunday," "All the Things You Are" and "Just Friends"), but Ervin and his quartet (with pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Richard Davis and drummer Alan Dawson) come up with fresh interpretations of the warhorses. Booker Ervin never sounded like anyone else.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-song-book-mw0000098873

Biography
by Scott Yanow
A very distinctive tenor with a hard, passionate tone and an emotional style that was still tied to chordal improvisation, Booker Ervin was a true original. He was originally a trombonist, but taught himself tenor while in the Air Force (1950-1953). After studying music in Boston for two years, he made his recording debut with Ernie Fields' R&B band (1956). Ervin gained fame while playing with Charles Mingus (off and on during 1956-1962), holding his own with the volatile bassist and Eric Dolphy. He also led his own quartet, worked with Randy Weston on a few occasions in the '60s, and spent much of 1964-1966 in Europe before dying much too young from kidney disease. Ervin, who is on several notable Charles Mingus records, made dates of his own for Bethlehem, Savoy, and Candid during 1960-1961, along with later sets for Pacific Jazz and Blue Note. His nine Prestige sessions of 1963-1966 (including The Freedom Book, The Song Book, The Blues Book, and The Space Book) are among the high points of his career.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/booker-ervin-mn0000097426/biography

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Reseña de Scott Yanow
El segundo de la serie Book del saxofonista tenor Booker Ervin, esta reedición en CD puede parecer un poco más conservadora que las otras debido a la inclusión de seis estándares (incluyendo "Come Sunday", "All the Things You Are" y "Just Friends"), pero Ervin y su cuarteto (con el pianista Tommy Flanagan, el bajista Richard Davis y el baterista Alan Dawson) llegan con interpretaciones frescas de los caballos de batalla. Booker Ervin nunca ha sonado como los demás.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-song-book-mw0000098873

Biografía
por Scott Yanow
Booker Ervin, un tenor muy característico con un tono duro y apasionado y un estilo emocional que seguía ligado a la improvisación de acordes, era un verdadero original. Originalmente era trombonista, pero aprendió a tocar el tenor mientras estaba en las Fuerzas Aéreas (1950-1953). Después de estudiar música en Boston durante dos años, hizo su debut discográfico con la banda de R&B de Ernie Fields (1956). Ervin adquirió fama cuando tocó con Charles Mingus (de forma intermitente durante 1956-1962), manteniéndose a la altura del volátil bajista y de Eric Dolphy. También dirigió su propio cuarteto, trabajó con Randy Weston en algunas ocasiones en los años 60 y pasó gran parte de 1964-1966 en Europa antes de morir demasiado joven por una enfermedad renal. Ervin, que aparece en varios discos notables de Charles Mingus, realizó fechas propias para Bethlehem, Savoy y Candid durante 1960-1961, junto con conjuntos posteriores para Pacific Jazz y Blue Note. Sus nueve sesiones de Prestige de 1963-1966 (incluyendo The Freedom Book, The Song Book, The Blues Book y The Space Book) se encuentran entre los puntos más altos de su carrera.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/booker-ervin-mn0000097426/biography

Tracklist:
1. Lamp Is Low
2. Come Sunday
3. All the Things You Are
4. Just Friends
5. Yesterdays
6. Love Is Here to Stay

Credits:
Booker Ervin (tenor saxophone);
Tommy Flanagan (piano);
Richard Davis (bass);
Alan Dawson (drums).

1964