Donald Byrd - At The Half Note Cafe, Vol. 2
Trumpet – Donald Byrd [click here to see more vinyl featuring Donald Byrd]
Piano – Duke Pearson [click here to see more vinyl featuring Duke Pearson]
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
Bass – Laymon Jackson
Drums – Lex Humphries
Written by Duke Pearson (A1), Donald Byrd (A2, B1), Segal (B2), Fisher(B2)
1 LP, gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Live
Record Press : Record Technology Incorporated
Label : Blue Note Tone Poet
Original Label : Blue Note
Recorded live at the Half Note Cafe, New York City on November 11, 1960
Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder
Original session produced by Alfred Lion
Reissue produced by Joe Harley
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
Originally released in 1963
Reissued in December 2025
Tracks:
Side A:
- Jeannine
- Pure D. Funk
Side B:
- Kimyas
- When Sonny Gets Blue
Reviews :
“The real deal is that, while this is the live date showcasing the Byrd quintet with Pepper Adams (and with Duke Pearson, Lex Humphries, and Laymon Jackson in the rhythm section), there is little here to make this worth purchasing yet again if you have the previous set. The sound is only marginally better -- and is likely only to be noticed by audiophiles. However, if you don't have the originals, this is one of the most essential hard bop purchases in the canon. The performances of Pearson -- of his own four tunes, five by Byrd, and the standards -- showcase his improvisational acumen at its height. His soloing on studio records pales in comparison. This was a hot quintet, one that not only swung hard, but possessed a deep lyricism and an astonishing sense of timing, and one need only this set by them to feel the full measure of their worth. Forget the Riverside date that caught them live early on; this is the one.” AllMusic Review by Thom Jurek
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.84 / 5