Horace Silver

[BlueMiles]

Just wondering if anyone would care to talk about Horace Silver. He does not appear to be active these days. However, there can hardly be any doubt that he is a huge figure in jazz. A good argument can be made that he created the “Blue Note sound.” In my early days, I was more a fan of Art Blakey. But Silver also had fantastic groups, and it seems to be me that he was true architect to the Jazz Messengers and the Blue Note sound--not least because of his huge output as a composer.

I continue to pick up CDs by Silver. One is early work in a trio format, with Blakey on drums. Some of these tunes were later remade for the quintet; others, like “Opus de Funk,” are classics in this format. I would not under-estimate his skills as a pianist, whether his approach is funky, bluesy, exuberant, or sensitive. Indeed, I wish there were more trio tracks from later in his career. These would pop up here or there; and several, such as “Lonely Woman” and “Cherry Blossom,” are real jewels.

Another fine album is “Further Explorations.” This one features Art Farmer and Clifford Jordan. It also contains maybe my all-time favorite Silver tune: “Moon Rays.” This is a long, multi-faceted piece. What a great composition, and what wonderful playing!

[Jimmy Cantiello]

One of my all time favorites

[guy]

Originally Posted by BlueMiles

A good argument can be made that he created the “Blue Note sound.” In my early days, I was more a fan of Art Blakey. But Silver also had fantastic groups, and it seems to be me that he was true architect to the Jazz Messengers and the Blue Note sound--not least because of his huge output as a composer.

I am also a big fan.

HOWEVER, I disagree with the statement above. Blakey's post-Silver groups took a different route from Horace's quintets.

Guy

[BlueMiles]

There is also a lot of good Horace Silver work with Miles Davis on several sessions from 1954.

[VIBEr]

I'm actually more interested in studying his later Blue Notes. On that long list of music I really want to spend more time with includes the series of the last five Silver albums on Blue Note called Silver 'n' Brass, Silver 'n' Wood, Silver 'n' Percussion, Silver 'n' Voices, and Silver 'n' Strings Play the Music of the Spheres. Although none are available on CD, I own three of the five on LP.

I also want to spend some more time with United States of Mind since it is possibly his most negatively criticized work, but now that 35 years have passed I'd like to re-examine it with fresher ears for its compositional content.

[Ron Thorne]

The first jazz tune I ever played as a drummer was Sister Sadie. What a groover!

I love Horace Silver's approach, and never tire of his recordings.

[BlueMiles]

Silver's output is certainly huge. Collectors can spend a lot time on his works.

Probably too many people think of him for the famous tunes such as "Song for My Father," "Sister Sadie," and "Doodlin."

[clinthopson]

The man invented funk.

[junejazz]

Heard a rip on Horace...

It was 'If you hear one Horace Silver, you heard 'em all'..the comeback was 'If you hear one Horace Silver you WANNA hear 'em all'

My sentiments exactly!!

Junejazz in Motown...

[Ron Thorne]

Welcome, Junejazz!

Great comeback line.

[clinthopson]

One of my favorite Silver discs is "Paris Blues." This is a 1962 concert recording released in 2002.

Horace's band was one of his best with Blue Mitchell, Junior Cook, Gene Taylor and Roy Brooks.

The selections are some of Horace's best compositions.

Even though the tunes have been recorded by Horace and others many times, I think this recording really captures the band. As happens many times, a recording in front of an audience contains more excitement and spontaneity than a studio session.

Blue Mitchell really burns.

[BlueMiles]

It is surprising that there aren't many live recordings of Silver available. This stands in marked contrast to Blakey, who always seemed to prefer putting out live sessions over studio dates.

[Noj]

Cape Verdean Blues is my favorite. I hope to see the "Silver 'N'..." series get reissued as I've yet to hear those albums. "Song For My Father" is the song which initiatially inspired me to collect jazz.

[VIBEr]

Bluemiles, I have to really thank you for starting this thread; I've been listening to Silver over the last week as a result. I found a post at another forum mentioning that the Silver 'n' ____ series is coming out as a Mosaic Select box.

But I've also been checking out some '70s Silver that I missed back in the day. Volume One of United States of Mind, subtitled "That Healin' Feelin'" is pretty appealing, although I really don't care for the other two volumes in the series. And I found Pursuit of the 27th Man to be unusual in that four of the cuts feature a quartet with vibes in place of horns, and the vibist is David Friedman - an unusual choice given that Friedman is not really a hard bop player, but I still like what he's bringing to the table here. So I like that one, too.

[ribot_for_president]

For some reason, I've never explored Silver beyond "Song for My Father" but recent conversations with my friends are causing me to reconsider that position.

[Noj]

So far I've got...

Finger Poppin'
Horace Silver & The Jazz Messengers
Horace Silver Trio
Blowin' The Blues Away
Horace-Scope
Cape Verdean Blues
Song For My Father
The Jody Grind
The Tokyo Blues
Serenade To A Soul Sister
Doin' That Thing Live At The Village Gate
In Pursuit Of The 27th Man

Not a bad one in the bunch, ribot!

[junejazz]

'Thank you, my friend for being so kind..I found a happy medium, right here in my mind'

Went to the Tri-C Jazz Festival in Cleveland a few years ago...in addition to a number of performers; Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, it was a tribute to Horace. He didn't perform (damn!), but he looked great.

Has anyone seen Horace perform lately...anywhere?! Check 'Skunky, Funky Blues'..vocals by Andy Bey...him and Horace go back a long way..him AND his sisters...