Donald Byrd’s long association with Blue Note was something of a rollercoaster. Byrd felt he was not always supported artistically, yet so much of his music for the label is sublime, whether Hard Bop, Soul Jazz or Fusion. This first part of a live recording from the Half Note club dates from 11th November 1960. It is a gem. Byrd shares the soloing spotlight with baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams and pianist/ arranger Duke Pearson. The album’s opener is the standout – ‘My Girl Shirl’ is the most accessible of Hard Bop numbers with a melody that indicates Shirl must have one helluva a lady. ‘Soulful Kiddy is a deliberate mid-tempo Blues on which Byrd and Adams are soulfulness personified. The mournful ‘A Portrait For Jennie’ is nonetheless beautiful. ‘Cecile’ completes Volume one and is a lengthy multi-paced piece that ebbs and flows. This recording at the Half Note – together with part 2 – remains a classic Blue Note live date.
Track listings:
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01 Introduction by Ruth Mason Lion by Donald Byrd
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02 My Girl Shirl by Donald Byrd
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03 Soulful Kiddy by Donald Byrd
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04 A Portrait of Jennie by Donald Byrd
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05 Cecile by Donald Byrd
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06 Theme (Pure D. Funk) by Donald Byrd
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07 Child’s Play by Donald Byrd
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08 Chant by Donald Byrd
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09 Jeannine by Donald Byrd
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10 Pure D. Funk by Donald Byrd
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11 Kimyas by Donald Byrd
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12 When Sunny Gets Blue by Donald Byrd
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13 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Donald Byrd
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14 Theme from Mr Lucky by Donald Byrd
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