STAN THE MAN!! DON'T KNOW WHY THIS WAS NOT RELEASED AT THE TIME. IT'S A SOLID BLUE NOTE SESSION. I PURSCHED THE JAPAN CD, WHAT A SOUND THEY CAN DO, MUCH BETTER I THINK THAN A RVG(WHICH THIS DID NOT RECEIVE) JAZZMAN 65
Yet another five star effort from the great tenor man, this time with his first team rhythm section, the Horace Parlan trio, and with the added bonus of big brother Tommy on trumpet. This was recorded in 1961 but not issued until 1978. That is no comment on its quality. Blue Note, the label concerned, was run by fans and recorded many more sessions than it could issue, partly to help support the musicians and partly out of simple enthusiasm. The music is of the highest quality despite languishing in the vaults for all those years. The band had worked and recorded together for some time and were all familiar with each other's playing. Stanley is full toned, bluesy and swinging as he always was. He produces two beautiful ballad performances on 'Then I'll Be Tired Of You' and 'Someone To Watch Over Me' and a tender. but also lusty, solo on 'My Girl Is Just Enough Woman For Me'. On 'Fine L'll Lass' he goes lowdown, but still good natured, 'Thomasville' finds him displaying his R & B roots, and on 'Stolen Sweets' he produces a dazzling solo, described accurately in the sleeve note as an 'unending string of ideas'. Parlan solos well throughout in his blues based style and along with George Tucker on bass and Al Harewood on drums forms an eminently suitable rhythm section, swinging and supportive but never intrusive. Tommy Turrentine, less well known than the others, plays well, like a slowed down version of Fats Navarro. He doesn't have Fats' technique but produces attractive lines, sometimes slightly gaunt but always warm. He is a fine foil to his more effusive younger brother. The tunes are varied and attractive with a number of lesser known standards suitable for the warm and bluesy treatment they receive. This really shows you just what jazz is all about!