(1986) Eric Dolphy & Booker Little Remembered Live at Sweet Basil Vols.1 & 2 ***1/2

 

With: Donald Harrison (alto saxophone & bass clarinet), Terence Blanchard (trumpet), Mal Waldron (piano), Richard Davis (bass), Ed Blackwell (drums)
Record date: October 3 & 4, 1986

In October 1986, Mal teamed up with the original rhythm section of the classic Five Spot Quintet with Eric Dolphy and Booker Little. Both highly talented musicians of great promise, they died way too young. Little was only 23 and Dolphy 34. They were also pretty young when they performed at the Five Spot in 1961 recording some legendary music. Mal decided to hire some fresh new and young talent to replace them on this memorial album. Saxophonist Donald Harrison was 26 at this time, Blanchard only 24. They are both established musicians now held in high regard, but here they were at the beginning of their careers.

All compositions were played in 1961 too, but not everyone of these were on the original release. They were all written by Dolphy, Little or Waldron. The Prophet is one of Dolphy’s absolute classic’s with it’s edgy yet bluesy theme. Harrison proves himself to be young talent. He reminds somewhat of Dolphy’s nervous, edgy playing but really has a sound of his own. It’s a bit more laidback than Dolphy. But his outbursts of notes sound a little less natural than Dolphy. He probably sounds best on bass clarinet. Blanchard is a great trumpeter, yet he sounds a bit too schooled for me. He could probably play anything you want him to with his great technique yet I miss some soul and character. When Blackwell decides too speed things up on ‘The Prophet’ Blanchard has no problem in keeping up with the rest. His solo on Aggression is excellent and a true showcase of his talent. It’s very tempting to make a comparison to the original records but that is probably a bit unfair. Harrison and Blanchard are great musicians, Dolphy and Little were really something else.

Overall it’s a highly enjoyable listen and one should not try to make comparison’s. It’s very clear that both Harrison and Blanchard were in a new frontline of fresh talent though they never really touched me. The whole concert was a memorial that Dolphy and Little could have been proud of. For Waldron, Davis and Blackwell it really sounds like peanuts to them. This is still exciting music but all three of them had moved on from here. They sound a bit like they play on autopilot sometimes. But what they play sounds very tight. Mal’s sound on Aggression for example in the lower registers of the piano that actually sound pretty aggressive. Davis’ funky and free bass playing on Number Eight is excellent and Blackwell shines all trough. Like Waldron and Davis he developed even further as a musician. His solo's are such versatile and diverse. One of my all time favorite drummers.

These sessions were originally released on Paddle Wheel and later on Evidence also. I’ve got the two Evidence releases that are pretty good. Nice liner notes and great sound. They are both well available on the internet. Though not mind-blowing, this is some highly enjoyable music.