Johnny Hodges

This release contains Johnny Hodges’ complete original LP Blues-A-Plenty (Verve MGVS 6123). The album showcases the great alto saxophonist backed by an all-star group featuring Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Vic Dickenson, and an Ellingtonian rhythm section formed by Billy Strayhorn on piano, Jimmy Woode on bass, and Sam Woodyard on drums. To the original nine tracks of the original LP, we have added the only two existing alternate takes from the date, as well as another complete session (which first appeared on a compilation LP), that also presents Hodges with Ben Webster.

PERSONNEL:

JOHNNY HODGES, alto sax
BEN WEBSTER, tenor sax
ROY ELDRIDGE, trumpet
VIC DICKENSON, trombone
BILLY STRAYHORN, piano
JIMMY WOODE, bass
SAM WOODYARD, drums

New York, April 5, 1958.

Note: Eldridge, Dickenson & Webster out on 1, 3, 6, 8 & 10.
Track 15 has been always listed on discographies, and has been issued on a Mosaic set, as Billy Strayhorn’s “Lotus Blossom”, but it clearly is not.

[9-16] BONUS TRACKS:
Johnny Hodges (as), Ben Webster (ts), Shorty Baker (tp), Quentin Jackson, John Sanders (tb),

Jimmy Hamilton (cl), Jimmy Jones (p), Les Spann (g), Ray Brown (b), Jo Jones (d).
New York, April 8, 1959.

INCLUDES 12-PAGE BOOKLET

TRACKS:

01. I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT YOU
02. COOL YOUR MOTOR
03. GONE WITH THE WIND
04. HONEY HILL
05. BLUES-A-PLENTY
06. DON’T TAKE YOUR LOVE FROM ME
07. SATURDAY AFTERNOON BLUES
08. SATIN DOLL
09. REELIN’ AND ROCKIN’
10. DON’T TAKE YOUR LOVE FROM ME [alternate take]
11. REELIN’ AND ROCKIN’ [alternate take]
12. MEET THE FROG
13. NITE LIFE
14. MY MELANCHOLY BABY
15. UNTITLED ORIGINAL
16. FREE FOR ALL

TOTAL TIME: 78:13