ERIC DOLPHY — Eric Dolphy in Europe, Volume 2 (review)

ERIC DOLPHY — Eric Dolphy in Europe, Volume 2 album cover Live album · 1965 · Hard Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
js
There are three distinctly different Eric Dolphys; Eric the flautist, Eric on the bass clarinet, and high flying Eric Dolphy on the alto saxophone. Dolphy’s flute playing is superb, but its his alto playing that impresses the most and that’s what you get plenty of on “Eric Dolphy in Europe Volume 2“, some of the most virtuoso excursions on the alto sax you have ever heard. You also get some excellent flute playing, and for those who don’t dig his clarinet tone, no clarinet at all. The music on here is not as avant-garde as some of Dolphy’s original creations, mostly the backing band sticks to the changes of the hard bop tunes, but Dolphy’s flights take those changes to some very faraway places.

The original album contains three tunes with Dolphy on alto, plus “Don’t Blame Me”, which features a lengthy workout on the flute. The CD re-issue contains an extra version of “Blame”, oddly enough recorded that same night, which is nice because his flute comes out stronger and clearer on that version. All three of the alto tunes are great, with a blistering version of "The Way You Look Tonight" being one of the best. Dolphy’s backing band is brave enough to hang with him, but also smart enough not to try to emulate him. Pianist Bent Axen turns in tough punchy bluesy solos, and wisely gets out of the way when Eric really takes off.

I can’t say enough good things about what Dolphy can do to a set of changes with an alto sax. Although there have been others who have expanded on the high speed melodic ideas of Charlie Parker, to me no one has done it on quite the same level that Dolphy has. I know there are those who would disagree, but listen to these tracks and decide for yourself.

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Bruno Tommaso & Barga Jazz Ensemble : Dagli Appennini Alle Madonie Avant-Garde Jazz
BRUNO TOMMASO
Buy this album from MMA partners
East by Midwest Eclectic Fusion
CHARLIE BALLANTINE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Big & Lovely Progressive Big Band
ALLISON MILLER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Bittolo Bon / Grillini : Spell/Hunger Jazz Related Improv/Composition
PIERO BITTOLO BON
Buy this album from MMA partners
Sylvie Courvoisier & Mary Halvorson : Bone Bells 21st Century Modern
SYLVIE COURVOISIER
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Maria João - AO SOL
MARIA JOÃO
js· 1 day ago
That Dada Strain
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND
js· 2 days ago
Kinetic
BLACK FLOWER
js· 4 days ago
Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra feat. Scarlett Johansson - The Best is Yet To Come
JEFF GOLDBLUM
snobb· 4 days ago
I'm Just Say'n
JOE MCPHEE
snobb· 5 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed