Donald Byrd - At The Half Note Cafe, Vol. 1
Trumpet, Speech introduction (B1a) – Donald Byrd [click here to see more vinyl featuring Donald Byrd]
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
Bass – Laymon Jackson
Drums – Lex Humphries
Piano – Duke Pearson [click here to see more vinyl featuring Duke Pearson]
Speech introduction – Ruth Mason (A1a)
Written by Donald Byrd (A2, B2-3), Duke Pearson (A1b), Gordon Burdge (B1b), J. Russel Robinson (B1b)
1 LP, gatefold jacket printed by Stoughton Printing Co.
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 on November 11, 1960, at the Half Note Café, New York City
Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder
Original sessions produced by Alfred Lion
Reissue produced by Joe Harley
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
Lacquer cut by Keving Gray and Joe Harley at Cohearent Audio
Cover Design by Reid Miles
Liner Notes by Leonard Feather
Photography by Francis Wolff
Originally released in 1960
Reissued in February 2023
Tracks:
Side A:
- a) Speech introduction ; b) My Girl Shirl
- Soulful Kiddy
Side B:
- a) Speech introduction ; b) A Portrait of Jennie
- Cecile
- The Theme
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 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.82 / 5