The Legendary 1963-64 Sessions

In 2008, Lone Hill Jazz reissued two hard-to-find James Moody albums in one package under the banner of The Legendary 1963-1964 Sessions, marking the first digitally formatted release for both albums. The Argo LP Great Day came together over the course of 48 hours in mid-June 1963, and Running the Gamut appeared on Florence Greenberg's Scepter record label not long after being recorded in April 1964 at the Nola Penthouse Studio high atop the Steinway Building on 57th Street in Manhattan. It's worth noting that the music compiled in this one duple album represents the complete collaborative recordings of sax and flute man James Moody and trumpeter Thad Jones. The Great Day sessions have additional historic significance as the first documented studio encounters between Jones and drummer Mel Lewis. These albums, along with 1962's Another Bag and the 1967 Milestone release Moody and the Brass Figures feature compositions and arrangements by trombonist Tom McIntosh, who during 1963 and 1964 also collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Art Farmer, Stanley Turrentine, and Shirley Scott. Great Day's lineup includes trumpeter Johnny Coles, flutist Hubert Laws, pianist Hank Jones, guitarist Jim Hall, and bassist Richard Davis. Gamut introduces pianist Patti Brown and vocalist Marie Volpee alongside bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. Composer credit for "Opalesque" and "Wayward Plaint" goes to legendary Philadelphia guitarist and early Coltrane mentor Dennis Sandole. As anyone familiar with Moody's artistry would expect, the man expresses himself beautifully here. Ideal music for relaxing while enjoying the company of trusted friends. ~ arwulf arwulf|