Coleman Hawkins – The Hawk Flies High (Mono)
RARITY - SEALED
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Guitar – Barry Galbraith
Piano – Hank Jones
Trombone – J.J. Johnson
Trumpet – Idrees Sulieman
Written by Coleman Hawkins (A1-A3,B3), Gigi Gryce (B2), H. Jones (A1), Raskin (B1), Mercer (B1), Smith (A3), Sulieman (A2)
1 LP, Standard Sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Mono
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Vinyl Me Please - Classics Series
Original Label : Riverside Records
Recorded on March 12 and 15, 1957 at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City
Engineered by Jack Higgins
Produced by Bill Grauer, Orrin Keepnews
Lacquer cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound
Originally released in July 1957
Reissued in 2020
Tracks:
Side A :
- Chant
- Juicy Fruit
- Think Deep
Side B :
- Laura
- Blue Lights
- Sancticity
Review :
« Coleman Hawkins' 1957 session for Riverside, aside from an oral documentary record in a short-lived series, was his only recording for the label under his name. Yet producer Orrin Keepnews had the good sense to invite the legendary tenor saxophonist to pick his own musicians, and Hawkins surprised him by asking for young boppers J.J. Johnson and Idrees Sulieman in addition to the potent rhythm section of Hank Jones, Oscar Pettiford, Barry Galbraith, and Jo Jones. The two days of sessions produced a number of strong performances, with Hawkins still very much at the top of his game, while both Johnson and Sulieman catch fire as well. Even though most of the focus was on new material contributed by the participants, the musicians quickly adapted to the unfamiliar music, especially the leader's old-fashioned swinger "Sancticity" (which sounds like it could have been part of Count Basie's repertoire) and the pianist's tightly woven bop vehicle "Chant." Hawkins was one of the great ballad interpreters, and his majestic performance of the standard "Laura" is no exception. The 2008 reissue in the Keepnews Collection series uncovered no previously unissued material, though expanded liner notes by the producer and improved 24-bit remastering make this edition an improvement over earlier versions. » AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4.5 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.77 / 5