Red Garland Trio - Groovy (1957/2008/2014) [Official Digital Download]

Red Garland and Miles Davis had a symbiotic relationship. Red was such an important cog in the Davis quintet as a soloist, interactive accompanist, and keeper of the repertory. Being in Miles' group gave Garland the exposure he otherwise would not have gotten. Once Garland's talent as a pianist, with a boundless repository of material in his head, was established, Prestige's Bob Weinstock signed him to a contract as a recording leader in his own right. With his Davis section-mate, Paul Chambers, on bass, and New York drummer Arthur Taylor, Garland forned a trio that met quite often in rudy Van Gelder's studio. "Groovy" was the third in Red's trio series for Prestige and it has the usual fine mix of jazz standards, ballad standards, blues ballads, and just plain blues. It is an object lesson in finding and maintaining a groove.

Red Garland's third recording as a leader has him playing very well, somewhat energetic and more inclusive in his direction to span the mainstream jazz palate beyond the cool exterior he emanates. The title might be a bit deceptive, for this is not a project where soul-jazz or early boogaloo influences turned jazzmen into groovemeisters – it's a swinging groove. With bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor, Garland has all the support he needs to wing it in a variety of directions. Recorded in that most legendary year of jazz, 1957, Garland is coming into his own in a more confident way, buoyed by his association at the time with Miles Davis. Chambers is flawless in his support role, and on this recording deserves a close listen, especially for students of the acoustic upright. They immediately dig in on the opener "C Jam Blues," with Garland at his heartiest during his bridge solo, they agree in the affirmative during the entirety of the hard bop take of "Will You Still Be Mine?," and repeat but modify the melody à la "Cool Blues" in an adept display of artistry for "Hey Now." Of course Garland has to play a ballad or two, as on "Willow Weep for Me," luscious with chord sequences, and really reflects the influence of Erroll Garner in that chiming, two-handed sustenato style for Garner's "Gone Again." It is said that by the third recording, most musicians should have their style down pat and begin attempting to take the music to a higher level. You really hear that in this recording, which was a springboard to making Red Garland one of the most revered and respected jazz pianists of the modern era.

Tracklist:

01 - C-Jam Blues
02 - Gone Again
03 - Will You Still Be Mine
04 - Willow Weep For Me
05 - What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
06 - Hey Now

Produced by Bob Weinstock.
Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ. on December 14, 1956 (#4-5); May 24, 1957 (#6); & August 9, 1957 (#1-3).
All transfers were made from the analog master tapes to digital at 24-bit resolution. Supervision by Bob Weinstock.
Remastered by Rudy Van Gelder at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. in 2008.

Musicians:
Red Garland - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Art Taylor - drums

A Note From Rudy Van Gelder:
I remember the sessions well, I remember how the musicians wanted to sound, and I remember their reactions to the playbacks. Today, I feel strongly that I am their messenger.

Thanks to the Original customer!