Afternoon Listening: "A Blowing Session" & "Undercurrent"

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An afternoon listening session with "A Blowing Session"...

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October 1st... Autumn's here for sure. I've had some quality time this weekend to get some listening done. Yesterday I listened to a newly acquired album, which is the one I've been mentioning, a real rare piece and one of the most coveted of jazz collectibles. It feels amazing to put that one on the turntable. I thought it would take quite a while to get that one, but I managed to secure it a couple of weeks ago. I will of course post that one soon. I also listened to Side A of the wonderful LP above, Johnny Griffin's "A Blowing Session" on Blue Note 1559. Now this is a true masterpiece. The copy I have is in superb shape and it just sounds wonderful. Today I'm listening to Side B. I'm amazed how good it sounds and there is zero noise. How can an album of this vintage sound like new? These things still amaze me.

Now, I'm putting on Side B of Kenny Drew's "Undercurrent" on Blue Note 4059. Another masterpiece. Just dropped the needle... the sound on this one is beautiful as well. The brillance and clarity of the sound is simply breathtaking. It really is hard to believe that these albums are so old and so rare and still sounds so awesome. It's like putting a brand new album on the turntable. Still, these old Blue Notes in this kind of condition probably sounds much better than any brand new recent pressings. It's an absolute joy to experience this and that's why I'm collecting these old, vintage, original 1st pressing jazz LP's.

Ok, time to relax with a glass of Jim Beam on the rocks and just enjoy the moment... oh, "Groovin' The Blues" just started... got to go... cheers guys and enjoy the rest of your weekend! Stay tuned...

Kenny Drew "Undercurrent" on Blue Note 4059

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A smokin' session.

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There are a lot of great Blue Notes sessions. For me, this is one of the best. A superb date. You get a great taste right from the get-go with the opening title tune. It's just so flowing and brilliantly executed by all of the players. The one that sticks out is Freddie Hubbard, who is a virtuoso, plain and simple. His improvisational brilliance and clear, beautiful tone is something else. Probably almost equal to Lee Morgan in my view. Great punch and technique. This is, for me, essential music to own in any form. My preferred form is of course a 1st pressing vinyl copy, which I show here, in fantastic condition. 

This is the first album post from the new apartment. 4059 sounds absolutely wonderful on the new, updated system. Every detail is present and audible. I've found for example that the cymbal and hi-hat work is coming through with such more clarity with the new stuff. Louis Hayes brings it to me with such style. I really dig his drum work. I'm over the moon to have this new setup and will not feel the need to upgrade anything ever again.

This album is truly one to set your sights on if you haven't got it yet in your collection. It's the latest released Blue Note which I have an original 1st pressing of, so far. My focus has been earlier releases first and foremost. I haven't really explored many titles post this release. There are so many titles I want released pre this one so I think this is as far as I'll go for a while now in the Blue Note catalogue and I will instead focus on some earlier titles. But the early 4000 series is absolutely amazing, no doubt. I have only a handful of titles from this series and I intend to get a few more. First though, I'm keen on adding a few more from the 1500 series.

At this moment I'm waiting on a new album. It's a sweet one for sure. It's a Prestige this time. Stay tuned, and you'll find out which one. Right now, it's about 9 P.M. here in Stockholm and I have just put The Return Of Art Pepper on Jazz:West on the turntable. Have a great, jazzy rest of the weekend. I know I will.