Rare And Obscure Argo Recordings (XIX)

Red Rodney

Red Rodney Returns

The late Harvey Husten once said, "Some day some bright-eyed historian is going to write a definitive work on the music and musicians of our time. I hope he has enough savvy to include a generous chapter paying tribute to the people who made it commercially, and then found they couldn't stomach it, and began the long, tedious, and sometimes painful struggle to make it all over again — but this time playing, or singing, or writing the things they sincerely believed in; things that were inspired from the heart rather than the bank balance". 

Although Harvey Husten never met Red Rodney, I am sure he had the "Red Rodneys" in mind when writing the above. I had the pleasure to see and hear the birth of this quintet… in the winter of '58 at the Philadelphia area's leading jazz room (The Red Hill Inn); first heard as a replacement for an ailing Oscar Peterson — then by overwhelming demand heard at "the Hill" for as many as ten consecutive weeks.

This is the first the record world has heard from Red Rodney in some time, hence the title, "Red Rodney Returns". It does not mean a return to the jazz scene, as Red has been quite involved in the jazz scene for the past sixteen years.*Sid Mark (liner notes)*

One of the great albums that Red Rodney recorded during his comeback in the late 50's, and one that features the great Philadelphia tenor player Billy Root! Root's playing is one of the highlights of this LP, and he wails with a soulful intensity that maks the whole album crackle. Tracks include "5709", "Red Hot and Blue", "Whirlwind", and "Shelly", all of which were written by Danny Kent, the piano player on the session. *Dusty Groove, Inc.*

Side 1

1 - Shaw Nuf

(Dizzy Gillespie)

2 - Red Hot And Blue

(Danny Kent)

3 - I Remember You

(Mercer, Schertzinger)

4 - 5709

(Danny Kent)

Side 2

5 - Whirlwind

(Danny Kent)

6 - Jordu

(Duke Jordan)

7 - Shelley

(Danny Kent)

8 - Two By Two

(Jay Cave)

Red Rodney (trumpet), Billy Root (tenor sax),

Danny Kent (piano), Jay Cave (bass), Frank Young (drums).

Recorded at Reco-Art Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 16 and 17, 1959