Donald Byrd

2 LPs ON 1 CD

5 STARS DOWN BEAT MAGAZINE
 

This release contains the complete 1959 LP Byrd in Hand (Blue Note BLP4019), presenting the inimitable Donald Byrd in a sextet format with other illustrious jazzmen like Charlie Rouse, Pepper Adams, Walter Davis Jr., Sam Jones, and Art Taylor.
As a bonus, another complete LP, Davis Cup (Blue Note BLP4019). Originally issued under the name of pianist Walter Davis Jr., it immediately follows Byrd in Hand in the trumpeter’s discography and presents him in a quintet format with Jackie McLean and the exact same rhythm section as the previous album.

Includes 16-page booklet

PERSONNEL:

DONALD BYRD, trumpet
CHARLIE ROUSE, tenor sax
PEPPER ADAMS, baritone sax
WALTER DAVIS Jr., piano
SAM JONES, bass

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, May 31, 1959.

*BONUS ALBUM: Davis Cup
Same personnel but Jackie McLean (as) added.
Rouse & Adams out.
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, August 2, 1959.

Tracks:

01) WITCHCRAFT 8:29
02) HERE I AM 8:26
03) DEVIL WHIP 4:42
04) BRONZE DANCE 6:43
05) CLARION CALLS 5:42
06) THE INJUNS 6:09
07) ‘SMAKE IT 5:08*
08) LOODLE-LOT 6:00*
09) SWEETNESS 8:15*
10) RHUMBA NHUMBA 7:01*
11) MINOR MIND 6:28*
12) MILLIE’S DELIGHT 5:07*

Total time: 78:11

 

Down Beat original review: Byrd in Hand
“Byrd soars like a flaming falcon on this release. Dipping, spiralling, diving, gracefully gliding, he turns in a memorable performance. He has a keen lyrical ability, which he fuses with a propensity for boiling pyrotechnics. The resulting alloy is one of the most satisfying brasses in modern jazz. A steaming, swinging, utterly satisfying performance.” (Don DeMichael)