SONNY RED — Out of the Blue (review)

Album · 1960 · Hard Bop

2.5/5 · 2011-01-30
Matt

Back in December of 1959 Alfred Lion was visiting a Jazz club ( Shaws Place) in Greenwich village and on comes "Sonny Red" playing alto saxophone an enjoyable evening it must have been for Alfred as he signed Sonny up to do an album. Sonny comes from Detroit as did Curtis Fuller, Paul Chambers who does Bass on two of the tunes on this album, and Doug Watkins. Sonny Red ( Junior Sylvester Kyner) was born in December 1932 and Sonny was doing it tough in New York. He was really not playing many gigs and barely getting by which was not a new situation for Sonny as he had tried his luck in New York before with his friend Curtis Fuller and he returned back to Detroit after the death of his father gaining very little acceptance. Curtis did it tough to at the begining but being a great Trombonist who are not plentiful he was getting more work. "Sonny Stitt" is major influence in Sonny's style with a melodic feel for the tunes and although an admirer of Charlie Parker he did not play with "Birds" frantic Be Bop fashion and instead took time with playing his notes.Two separate sessions are on the album but six of the eight compositions are from the first. Quartet was the set up and Sonny is on alto, Wynton Kelly,piano, Sam Jones, bass on six, Paul Chambers ,bass on two, Ray Brooks drums on six and Jimmy Cobb, drums on two. Recorded over 1959 and 1960 which was the release date for the album,"Out of The Blue" which is one place Sonny did not arrive from as evidenced.

Blues are the major feature on the album with four tracks being just that,so it is no surprise for the album to get underway with the self descriptive tune "Bluesville". Sonny begins and states the theme with the band where he follows on with his solo and swing is the prequisite with Wynton following on piano and although competant he does not get going with his usual finesse to half way through. Wynton solo's on every track with a bass solo on all four of the Blues. Next up is the ballad, "Stay as Sweet as You Are" and Sonny sounds great and just floats above.I really think though Wynton was having one of those days. Just not his standard for me and sure they would be good in any club but from him. It seems to be missing his sprite and sparkle which seems to appear only in quick flashes. A mid tempo ballad follows "I've Never Been in Love Before" and only feels as more of the same with Sonny having his go first. Slight improvement for Wynton on the ivories and a more swinging solo is the result. Another two "Blues" follow each other and the first is "Nadia" with the second "Blues In the Pocket" where Wynton solos first which is a godsend because this is where the issue lays with this album is that although played fairly well the album just seems to be ambling along with no oomph or change. Maybe I have heard similar before by others with no new ground cut. "The Lope" seems Sonny is trying but is Wynton who solo's first and it is not good. The ballad "Stairway To the Stars' is the album closer and maybe Sonny's career at Blue Note. Played well but alas where is something new.

It has been done before and although played compentently Wynton Kelly is as dull as dishwater today with his usual standard and they seem to be going through the motions. Not a bad album but neither is it good. Has some nice moments with the opener "Bluesville" giving the album a fairly good start but there is no improvement after. Not the usual Blue Note standard for me