James Moody

2 LPs ON 1 CD

“Cookin’ the Blues”, the first album here, features Moody's septet recorded live at the Jazz Workshop in June 1961, during his tour on the West Coast. Moody, wonderfully relaxed and in good form, fronts a band (with trumpeter Howard McGhee in his come back to the coast) offering inspired performances and more musical content than groups with a bigger name. Eddie Jefferson was also was one of the moving forces behind the whole show, with his humorous, and happily frantic singing.

All seven songs in “Another Bag”—the second album of this compilation—are excellent originals. Tom McIntosh, arranger on the date, contributed five, with his craftsmanship throughout distinguished by skillful voicings, interesting harmonic structures and beautiful melodies, somewhat reminiscent of the writing of Tadd Dameron and Gigi Gryce. Besides a forceful and driving Moody, the group features the consistently effective Paul Serrano on trumpet and the excellent solo and comping of pianist Kenny Barron. - From the liner notes.

PERSONNEL:

[1-9] COOKI'N THE BLUES (Argo LPS 756)

HOWARD McGHEE, trumpet
BERNARD McKINNEY, trombone
JAMES MOODY, alto & tenor sax, flute
MUSA KALEEM, baritone sax
SONNY DONALDSON, piano
STEVE DAVIS, bass
ARNOLD ENLOW, drums
EDDIE JEFFERSON, vocals on tracks 6 & 7
Recorded live at the “Jazz Workshop”, San Francisco, June 1961.

01. The Jazz Twist
02. One for Nat
03. Bunny Boo
04. Moody Flooty
05. It Might as Well Be Spring
06. Disappointed
07. Sister Sadie
08. Little Buck
09. Home Fries

[10-16] ANOTHER BAG (Argo LPS 695)

PAUL SERRANO, trumpet
JOHN AVANT, trombone
JAMES MOODY, tenor sax, flute
KENNY BARRON, piano
ERNEST OUTLAW, bass
MARSHALL THOMPSON, drums
TOM McINTOSH, arranger
Ter-Mar Studio, Chicago, January 30, 1962

10. Sassy Lady
11. Ally (Parts 1, 2, 3)
12. Spastic
13. Minuet in G
14. Cup Bearers
15. The Day After
16. Pleyel’s D’Jaime

Total time: 76:00 min