Art Blakey - Free For All

[clinthopson]

The RVG remaster arrived yesterday and I played hookey this morning to listen to it.

This is my favorite Messingers group with Freddie Hubbard, Curtis Fuller, Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton and Reggie Workman.

Afte 40 years, this still sounds as fresh as when I first heard it.

"Free For All" is a fine demonstration of why Bu could kick a band better than any thumper. He creates rhythms and propulsion that had me stunned, even though I've probably listened to this 100 times.

Every soloist is at the top of their game. They push the creative level ever higher without reverting to self-indulgent runs of notes.

All four of the cuts are outstand but "Pensativa" tops them all. I think this may be my very favorite Messingers cut.

The only negative is that the disc is only 36 minutes long.

I wonder if Blue Note has anything in the can from this session.

[jazzy mary]

Clint, i absolutely adore this album. Maybe my fave Buhaina. Mosaic is excellent too!!!

[Enforcer]

One of my very favorite recordings of all time. The sense I get listening to this, particularly the first three cuts, is that it was barely possible to capture the session on tape at the volume the band was playing at. There are a few times during the recording when it sounds like the dynamic peaks go past the limits of the tape and into distortion. The energy level of the band is so high that it doesn't even sound like a studio session. Most bands will approach a studio date much more conservatively than a live show, but someone forgot to mention that to the Messengers on this date.

The title track contains probably my favorite Wayne Shorter tenor solo of all time. And maybe my favorite tenor solo, period. The energy and inspiration Wayne seems to express is palpable for me. I can't listen to him play without physically moving and yelling out loud periodically. The band is so aggressive and the soloists are so inspired that the music rarely lets up. Blakey is hitting the drums so hard and the horns are just screaming at the upper register during the unison sections. You can hear someone, Art?, yelling out during some of the solos. The whole band must have known how special this was turning out, even while it was happening.

Can't get enough of this one.

Larry

[clinthopson]

"Blow Yo horn!"

[SEJ]

Pure, 24k gold!

But tell me, how does the RVG sound in relation to the previous issue? I have an early CD of this. Could the sound quality be that much better, to make it worth it to get the new one? We're talking about stuff that was recorded directly to two-track, and masters that are 40 years old!

I know that this is discussed to death, regarding RVGs in general, elsewhere. Just want an impression from someone who has both of this one.

Feel free to compare reissues of Henderson's Inner Urge, while you're at it. Another record I adore, and have an early CD edition of.

[Noj]

I am going to buy this today.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Great Great album, which I first learned about from our own drummer boy Erik!! "Moanin'" is still #1 for me, because I bought it when it came out and saw the group live that year at my first jazz show -- my friends and I had never heard anything like it before and we loved it! But this is a tremendous album, and my introduction to Bu's later groups.

[jazzy mary]

Square dance, if you like FFA, you would love "Mosaic". It is MUST HAVE also!!! I was never a big Moanin' fan--too dated sounding. Whereas, FFA and Mosaic, as has been pointed out, sound as fresh today as ever!!


Here's a funny story. I adore Wayne's solo too. I was playing this cd when I was driving in the car. Anyone who has been with me at a jazz club when I'm really digging a solo, knows that I can really get into the music and I tend to cock my head to the side (kindof like that RCA doggie) and close my eyes and groove. Well, I was at a red light, totally lost in Wayne's gorgeous, gorgeous solo and in that silly position; I look over and there is this cab driver totally laughing and smiling at me! I just grinned sheepishly, and then the light turned green.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

I'll check out Mosaic, Mary, but I have to tell you that the original version of 'Along Came Betty' will NEVER sound dated to me.

[al j]

I'm probably in the minority, but Curtis Fuller sounds terrible on this date.

[MRS]

. . .and it seems like the collective load is blown far too many times. I agree though, Clint, this is my preferred Messenger lineup. I like Mosaic much more.

[Enforcer]

Originally Posted by Joe Christmas

I'm probably in the minority, but Curtis Fuller sounds terrible on this date.

Curtis sounds almost out of place playing a solo on some of the tunes to me. The problem, I think, is that he's often following Wayne and/or Freddie on arguably some of their greatest recorded moments. For another thing, the trombone is such a difficult, unwieldy motherf**ker, and the dexterity and volume that Wayne and Freddy are unleashing just can't be matched on the bone. I think it was a bad fit to put a bone solo after those two performances on the title tune. The textures Curtis was adding to the unison sections was enough. But Cedar and Reggie didn't take solos on this tune, and Fuller didn't need to either, IMO.

Larry

[clinthopson]

I like Curtis' soloing. He's never been in the same league at Freddie and Wayne but IMHO he comports himself quite well.

As to the sound, especially on FFA, it's spectacular to these old ears.

I was alone at home and could crank the volume up to the "proper" levels. Bu's drum and cymbal work are as clear as a bell. I don't know how RVG was able to record this without having his equipment melt.

I'm going home soon and play that mother again.

[al j]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

I was alone at home and could crank the volume up to the "proper" levels. Bu's drum and cymbal work are as clear as a bell.

That's primarily why I want to hear the RVG, Clint. The sound on the original CD issue left much to be desired.

[Al in NYC]

I join Michael in much preferring Mosaic to Free For All. FFA often seems a bit too much of a blowout to me. Mosaic is easily my favorite Blakey & Messengers album.

[clinthopson]

Mosaic is right there with FFA.

I guess the difference for me, is the wonderful performance of "Pensativa," which is probably my all-time favorite single Messengers cut.

[Enforcer]

Too much blowing is something I'm sensitive to. But on this date, I couldn't care less. It's a rare example of a band going full tilt and maintaining my complete attention and enthusiasm for the duration. It's almost an anomaly in my tastes in that regard. I just love this motherf**ker.

Larry

[jazzy mary]

The thing about FFA is that, yes a lot of blowing is going on, but the band is so *together* and at one with each other. It's moving to revel in the the deep communiation between the players. Mosaic, which if I had a gun to my head, I'd pick over FFA is a bit "deeper" and has more "sophisticated" compositions and playing. I'd HATE to be without that Wayne solo on FFA, though.

[de Selby]

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

...the band is so *together* and at one with each other...

I can agree with that...

I've just bought this and listened to the first two tracks on a walkman on the way home (I couldn't wait). Sounds great. I might post again when I've had a chance to hear it properly.

[hearsay]

YES! That Shorter solo on "Free For All" is one of the most ferocious solos I've ever heard him play. I always thought they should've just ended the tune after that, it is really difficult for Fuller to play after that. I agree that Fuller doesn't quite keep up, he sounds fine, but doesn't maintain the same amount of intensity as the others. Anyway, an absolute classic.

[grove47]

I just burned three CDs worth of Wayne tunes with Blakey. The ones I'm missing on CD are the Riversides, which are great. I also included Wayne tunes from other dates I had, like Wynton Kelly's Kelly Great and Lee Morgan's Rumproller. Very enjoyable listening, beautiful tunes and playing.

[BFrank]

So............anybody got any insight into the RVG vs. the old version?

[clinthopson]

Originally Posted by BFrank

So............anybody got any insight into the RVG vs. the old version?

I played my lp of this last night and was astounded at how the drums sounded. They sounded almost muffled compared with the new RVG.

A jazz lover's collection is not complete without this one.

[vibes]

Listened to "Free For All" for the first time this afternoon. Everyone kicks ass on this date. I can't think of a more energetic Jazz Messengers release. Simple incredible.

[jazzy mary]

Originally Posted by vibes

Listened to "Free For All" for the first time this afternoon. Everyone kicks ass on this date. I can't think of a more energetic Jazz Messengers release. Simple incredible.

I envy you, man, having that "first time" experience. Isn't Wayne just too, too much!!!! Now, try "Mosaic" for another revelatory experience!

[vibes]

I'm buying these as they come out as RVG's. I had no idea what I was missing until "Indestructible" came out as an RVG. I was totally blown away. I'm glad I held back, because it gave me more time to digest earlier versions of the Messengers. Blakey & Co. had really come a long way by the time "Free For All" came out.

[Noj]

OK, so I lied. I didn't buy it until today. Like nearly any jazz album I buy, I am listening to this one for the first time.

Freakishly intense drumming through the first three tracks! With the start of "Pensativa" it is clear this album lives up to the hype.

[Pete C]

This is the only Messengers lineup I have multiple albums by. "Ugetsu" is another contender for the best by this group.

[jazzy mary]

"Impulse" is also quite good. Not the same group, Lee and Bobby Timmons are on this one Sorrry about that, but it's still very good.

[Richardo Caerleoni]

Sorry to pull this up again, but I thought I had all Blakey down.

I bought "Free for All" yesterday....Blown away!

Many thanks! (title track is almost Elvin like - hell of a band)