Jackie McLean's 1970's Steeplechase Recordings

[felser]

i have dutifully bought them on LP and CD over the years, but have never found them compelling, likely in large part because of the stunning foresight and quality of the Blue Notes - the Steeplechases seemed like a retro move. They are fine for what they are, but I have always been more struck by what they weren't. I do like the 60's Left Banke material that came out on Steeplechase, but tend to go to the Prestige's more than the 70's Steeplechase's. And yet I love the 70's Steeplechases that Dexter did (though I find the Dexter/J-Mac date pretty by-the-numbers). Especially interested in differing thoughts on the 70's J-Mac Steeplechases, which may enable me to re-evaluate them.

[Tom 1960]

I'd be interested in others thoughts as a friend recommended looking these up as well.

[Late]

New York Calling is a very good record. Unfortunately, it's one of the worst-sounding compact discs I've ever heard. Thin, glaring, over-digital ... just painful, which is a shame. (I wonder if the LP sounds as bad.)

The Left Bank recordings are really good — I actually spin them a fair amount. I'm not the biggest fan of the Johnson-Holt tandem, but Higgins is great, and Jackie, when inspiration strikes, pushes the inside/outside envelope to its limit.

I've heard the Montmartre and Jackie/Dex Steeplechases, but haven't listened enough to make any statements with confidence. They seem like a return-to-bop-roots effort in general. According to the Jackie McLean on Mars documentary, Jackie wasn't practicing regularly around this time, which might account for the "muscle memory" quality of his playing on the later Steeplechase records. The great sound is still there though.

How many records on Steeplechase does Jackie have?

[JSngry]

Left Bank ,material, yes. But that's 60s playing released in the 70s. Still, some of the most intense J-Mac on record, imo.

Duet album with Michael Carvin - yes

Cosmic Brotherhood album, -yes

The rest, ok, but they're recordings of a guy who took a break, chilled out, got into teaching, and now was returning to semi-action. As docments of that type of thing, they're fine, but that is what they are documenting.

[JSngry]

How many records on Steeplechase does Jackie have?

I think the only ones not yet mentioned in this discussion are Ode To Super & A Ghetto Lullaby.

[Late]

Spinning Dr. Jackle on Steeplechase right now. I always forget that these recordings are from 1966. Somehow I got it in my head that they were from 1968. (Still doesn't qualify them as 1970's Steeplechase recordings of course.)

Listening now, I like Lamont Johnson quite a bit more live than in the studio, though he does seem to have a tendency to play the same fourthy chords over and over. That show — that makes up Dr. Jackle and Tune Up — would have been amazing to be at. The heat is turned UP. Billy Higgins in his most Tony Williams-sounding guise. (Not a knock on Billy. He sounds great.)

Jackie fans will want to have these two discs. Not stellar sound, but the playing more than makes up for it.

Forgot about Ode to Super, which I actually own. As I recall, it promises more than it delivers, and I always want Bartz to break out of whatever seems to be holding him back. I need to revisit this one though.

Edited November 27, 2014 by Late

[soulpope]

Regarding Ode To Super, I always felt both McLean and Bartz would have not only deserved, but even more requiered a more challenging Rhythm Section to get things going.....the subject 5tet`s performances IMO are rather subdued.....

[Joe]

:tup :tup for ANTIQUITY (the aforementioned duet with Michael Carvin).

[Peter Friedman]

My opinion regarding the Steeplechase albums is at odds with many of the others who posted here. I did not care much at all for the duet with Michael Carvin, New York Calling,

Cosmic Brotherhood, Dr. Jackle, or Tune Up. Had them all at one time and disposed of them.

The Steeplechase albums I do enjoy are - Live At Montmartre, A Ghetto Lullaby, Ode To Super and the two sessions with Dexter Gordon - The Meeting - The Source.

[paul secor]

I like the duet with Carvin. Live at Montmartre and dates with Dexter I could take or leave, and I've left them.

[Late]

[JohnS]

I had the first couple of Steeplechase issues. Kept them for a while but didn't keep them. Those were enough for me. They didn't do anything for me. Very disappointing.

[Chuck Nessa]

I have a soft spot for Ghetto Lullaby and enjoy the stuff with Dexter. Guess I'm a sucker for any Jackie.