‘No frills hard bop‘ was my friend Richard’s verdict on Lee Morgan when I mentioned that I was really getting into his work. I should explain, this was meant purely as a compliment and Richard is, genuinely, an unparalleled suppository of jazz knowledge*.
Another pal of mine give me his copy of Lee Morgan Cornbread a few months ago, which along with a couple more of his I borrowed led to my current craze.
Released on Blue Note in ’67** with an absolutely stellar band featuring Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Herbie Hancock, Larry Ridley and Billy Higgins, I think Cornbread rates even higher than multi-trillion seller The Sidewinder.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, trust me this reads better with this on:
Right from the off Cornbread‘s title track just speeds smoothly away from the gates. There is something very like an engine in this type of jazz, everything working clean and fast together, all valves firing, utter precision and propulsion.
Which is not to say there is anything remotely cold or automatic about this music. The band swing like a wrecking ball, there is plenty of light and shade in these grooves. The rhythm section of Ridley and Higgins are just immense, both contribute so much to this track, as does Hancock playing as an additional member of the rhythm section; proving that the piano is indeed a percussion instrument. ‘Cornbread’ belongs to the brass, you’d need to be a much deeper, more knowledgeable chap than I to look any distance from those chromium webs of melody being spun into the air in front of you.
The percussive ‘Our Man Higgins’ is another ripper, McLean hitting a great opening solo on alto sax to set the pace early doors, before everyone shows his stuff off.
Side deux opener ‘Ceora’ is just gorgeous and elegant. Herbie H playing a beautiful intro that wafts us into the main tune. It is a dreamy ballroom treat, we’re talking 1920’s ocean-going liner, doomed yet beautiful romance, cocktails with Hercule Poirot style elegance. Everything played gently and sensitively, Morgan has perfect tone on this track. It is difficult to believe this is a Morgan original and not a revered standard.
Unlike ‘Ill Wind’ which is a 1934-vintage standard, a wistful tale of longing and wrong turns. Again the whole band clicks into gear beautifully all serving but not overwhelming what is, after all, a gentle melody and Hancock plays some particularly crystal clear phrases.
Cornbread finishes with everyone back on board the express for ‘Most Like Lee’, a great rattling finisher that swings like a really swingy thingy on the wingy. True story. I love the energy of this piece – no frills hard bop.
Cornbread is great fun from start to finish, a superb precision run through the registers. It is striking to think that Lee Morgan was only 25 when he led this band of Blue Note all-stars, but there again this was a man who worked on John Coltrane’s Blue Train at age 19 and who would be shot dead by his wife between sets at Slug’s Saloon, aged only 33.
Morgan was such a talented trumpeter with a great tone and melodic ability, a man who knew how to write really popular, catchy melodies and could certainly drive a band to meet his vision. I think it’s a telling point that Miles Davis fails to mention Morgan at all in his autobiography Miles, other trumpeters are either dismissed, or very occasionally praised, yet Morgan who was operating out of NYC too, mysteriously gets overlooked; a compliment, of a sort.
No frills hard bop. I would definitely vote for that.
As with all the classic era Blue Note LP’s Cornbread has a great cover, this time it’s all about the colour and typography. Such a classy act, if I had the readies I’d have ’em all.
1032 Down.
*see what I did there? up your ass Wikipedia!
**although recorded in ’65.
Only thing better than this is more this. Sending me on a binge. I’ll be hooked in for the next week. I have an older neighbor who’s hobby is garage sales. He knows i dig jazz and drops LPs at my door step often. Someone likes me fella
(I’ve tried sending 3 comments. Apologize if they all show up)
There’s only one thing better than this, more of this. I’m listening right now. You’re sending me off on a binge. For a few days anyway.
I have neighbor who’s hobby is garage sales. He knows I dig jazz. He drops LP’s off at my doorstep on a regular basis. How spoiled am I?
Only two comments and you ARE spoiled – what a wonderful door-to-door service.
Sorry about the multiples. Gremlins in the box. Oh, yeah I’m still on the binge. The neighbor is a cool old guy and none of the music he finds is junk. It would blow your mind 1537
That is one motherfucker of a sextet.
Slightly crestfallen to report that I have no Lee Morgan as leader, not even Sidewinder. But a number of albums where he is part of the team. I’ve been getting into Jackie McLean past year or two. Some of it tests me and all of it is brilliant.
There’s too much jazz to collect Bruce. My friend Martin collects all the incredibly expensive and luscious Tone Poet Blue Note rereleases. This was how I got this.
What a life Lee Morgan had!
Yes, those re-issues are absolutely top shelf.
Don’t know anything about Mr Morgan at all. Sadly, many jazz lives were short, penniless and drug ravaged. Warm?
They are fit to drool over, but too rich for my pocket – I want all the Jackie Mclean and Grant Green ones.
Morgan had vast commercial success with Sidewinder, but I think being shot by your wife at 33 kinda cancels it out. Pretty sure I read Sidewinder was and remains Blue Note’s best seller by a country mile. I’d like to know more about him.
Certainly challenging to enjoy your success when you’re dead.
Hey that’s cool. Grant Green is a long-time fave here too (though it’s 13-0 to the CDs).
Sounds great.
It’s a goodie. Trust me I’m a doctor (in a not-remotely true sense of the word).