Simon8

Looks as if Frankie retired at 56 or so in '84. He may have been tired, may have been too much pain and hassle. He spent a lot of time it seems with Lionel Hampton. That may be a reason too! Dunlop on his time with Hampton: "Playing with Monk was the greatest challenge of my melodic playing. For power, my greatest challenge was Maynard. For stamina, my greatest challenge was with Lionel Hampton's big band. Just let him stomp off "Flyin' Home" and that song will be going for 30 minutes. If I wasn't in 100% physical shape, I'd be biting the dust right now. I was with Hampton for seven years. There have been quite a few drummers that Hamp worked to death. Wilbur Hogan and George Jenkins come to mind [...] In Hamp's band, the drummer is a workhorse. In any Lionel Hampton set, you can look for five tunes: "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Basin Street," "Flyin' Home," "Hamp's Boogie Woogie," and "In The Mood." Those are five songs that you're going to do every night, come rain or come shine. And those are the back breakers."

Fresh thoughts on Dunlop & Ore: http://dothemath.typepad.com/dtm/2014/12/frankie-dunlop-and-john-ore.html

Because the Town Hall Concert never truly clicked for me and thinking for a long time that this "BB&Q" was kind of a odds and ends compilation, I never gave it a fair shot. Well ! This is, indeed, top notch Monk, with Monk himself in great form and spirit, as are Rouse, Thad Jones and Phil Woods upfront, and Dunlop behind (a true joy). The arrangements make it at the same time a relaxed, airy and intense affair. A fantastic take of "Four in One" and a great "Misterioso", amongst others.

And this irresistible, drivin' intro by Red Garland (and Doug Watkins & Specs Wright) before Coleman Hawkins comes in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYScEdwQabI

Always liked this hell-raisin' solo by Eddie Costa (with Tal Farlow) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SagCCeZXZo

(a 10 years) bump Finally got around to hearing this and indeed a superlative, inspired, plain ol' (and new) fun record. "Reality Check", recorded a year later with Jay Anderson again and Victor Lewis on drums, is along the same great line.

You're not alone ! I, too, very much dig A.T. and can't hear what supposedly wrong with him. I guess my (sincere) question would be: if A.T. was such an unreliable drummer (tempo-wise), why was he such in demand? Why did he play again and again with anybody that's anybody ? Did Coltrane and Miles and Red and Dexter and Jackie McLean (amongst others), have bad judgement when they hired him?

I concur ! A striking record.

Oops. Sorry about that, didn't know.

Here is some of the music: .... link to illegal site removed by moderator.

What John and Bill said !

Then my chapter would be... Paul Bley - Footloose ! George Russell - G.R. Sextet in K.C.: Original Swinging Instrumentals Sonny Clark - Leapin' and Lopin' Sam Rivers - Fuchsia Swing Song... or Andrew Hill - Black Fire...or Archie Shepp - Four for Trane

I would have loved to see De Franco "committing" to the bass clarinet and ultimately offering a kind of mainstream alternative to Dolphy in the 60's.

You'll find a few comments on the album here: For my part, I'm somewhat underwhelmed by that album. Great band, excellent tunes selection, but I feel De Franco could have used some more time with his instrument (did i read that he just had a few days ?): he often sounds strained to my ear (but maybe it's just me).