Johnny Hodges
Collates
You know, we've never been sure what they mean by "collates" in the title of this one — but we're guessing the title was chosen because of the way Johnny blows sheets and sheets of sweet sound together on alto sax! The recordings are in an Ellington mode, but taken to a small group setting — where the sound is a bit more relaxed and open-ended — and where Hodges' sublime alto sax gets even more room to blow us away. Players include Al Sears on tenor, Lawrence Brown on trombone, Emmett Berry on trumpet, and Billy Strayhorn on piano — on titles that include "Castle Rock", "A Pound of the Blues", "Sideways", and "Globetrotter". *Dusty Groove, Inc.*
This is a collection of some of the better sides recorded by Johnny and his orchestra. These recordings, varied as they are, present Hodges as one of the greatest altoists to have ever appeared on the Jazz Scene. Though his forte be the pretty ballad, Hodges can also swing wonderfully and excitingly when he has to, as evidenced in this album. There isn't much more that need be said about this album, except that it's listenable and danceable jazz; in short, good jazz.
As a Hodges admirer from way back, I found this album to be completely gratifying, as a portrayal of his artistry; and I trust you'll get equal satisfaction from it. *Norman Granz (liner notes)*
With the exception of Blue Fantasia, which we don't remember hearing on 78, this is a bunch of impressive reissues showing a few of Johnny's ventures during his first 18 months as a bandleader.
The other soloists — Emmett Berry, Lawrence Brown, Sonny Greer, et al. — are all first-class men, of course; but it's virtually a one-man triumph, with Johnny's alto as exciting on the jump numbers as it is pretty on the slower items. Sears, of course, has his day on the best-selling Castle Rock, which in retrospect remains by far the best version of his own tune.
*Down Beat, Chicago, October 22, 1952 [5 stars]*
1 - Castle Rock
(Al Sears)
2 - Who's Excited
(Vernon Duke)
3 - You Blew Out The Flames In My Heart
(Johnny Hodges)
4 - Globetrotter
(Johnny Hodges)
5 - Pound Of Blues
(Leroy Lovett)
6 - Sideways
(Leroy Lovett)
7 - Blue Fantasia
(Johnny Hodges)
8 - Sweepin' The Blues Away
(Johnny Hodges)
#1, #4:
Johnny Hodges (alto sax), Emmett Berry (trumpet), Lawrence Brown (trombone),
Al Sears (tenor sax), Leroy Lovett (piano [#1]), Billy Strayhorn (piano [#4]),
Lloyd Trotman (bass), Sonny Greer (drums).
Recorded in New York City, March 3, 1951
#3, #7:
Johnny Hodges (alto sax), Nelson Williams (trumpet), Lawrence Brown (trombone),
Al Sears (tenor sax), Leroy Lovett (piano), Al McKibbon (bass), Sonny Greer (drums).
Recorded in New York City, January 15, 1951
#2, #5, #6, #8:
Johnny Hodges (alto sax), Emmett Berry (trumpet), Lawrence Brown (trombone),
Al Sears (tenor sax), Leroy Lovett (piano), Lloyd Trotman (bass), Joe Marshall (drums).
Recorded in New York City, January 13 (#2, #5, #6) and January 17 (#8), 1952
