Sean Trane
This writer is actually fairly new to Gonsalves’ musical world - this is actually the first solo album of his I hear consciously, barely being aware of his long big-band experience (Ellington, Basie and Gillepsie), as I was actually drawn into it by Wheeler’s presence on this album and the date of recording (I’m a 65-75 fan and by extension 59-79). Alas, I must say disappointment struck me fairly hard: I was expecting Gonsalves to rise to era’s tendencies, but he was obviously obliviously blind (or deaf) to it, since this album could’ve been easily played in the early 50’s.
Soooo, just be aware that this kind of jazz is definitely not my cup of tea or my favoured-type of Scotch (this is a Bourbon,, and I’m a Speyside man), despite an interesting almost-rocking and rollicking Sticks, but that’s the exception that confirms prior-59 rule. Despite featuring a bunch of British jazzmen at the turn of the 60’s (both references to me), this Humming Bird will not be fluttering by that kind of flower too long. Don’t let these uneducated utterances deter you, especially if you like old-timer jazz, though.