Hank Mobley "Far Away Lands"

[Soul Stream]

I have this session on a crappy XDR cassette that sounds like hell. But the MUSIC is absolutely some of my favorite Mobley. I always forget this until I pull this cassette out and remind myself.

Anybody else really, really dig this session?

Hello? Blue Note...can't believe they haven't got this thing out on a CD recently.

[jazzbo]

Yeah, it's a really good session, and deserves to be on cd again!

[jlhoots]

I have this session on a crappy XDR cassette that sounds like hell.  But the MUSIC is absolutely some of my favorite Mobley.  I always forget this until I pull this cassette out and remind myself.

Anybody else really, really dig this session?

Hello?  Blue Note...can't believe they haven't got this thing out on a CD recently.

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I have that same crappy cassette.

I still play it.

[Free For All]

I have this session on a crappy XDR cassette that sounds like hell.  But the MUSIC is absolutely some of my favorite Mobley.  I always forget this until I pull this cassette out and remind myself.

Anybody else really, really dig this session?

Hello?  Blue Note...can't believe they haven't got this thing out on a CD recently.

←

I have that same crappy cassette.

I still play it.

←

The one w/the white case?

[bertrand]

I was just listening to the crappy cassette the other day. Fortunately, I also have the Collector's Choice CD, but I only have a tape deck in the bedroom.

Love it, as I do all Mobley Blue Notes. Probably not in my top five, though.

Bertrand.

[Chuck Nessa]

I like this date a bunch. My current copy is a Toshiba vinyl pressing. I've told this story before - about a month after it was first issued in the US I was in the Jazz Record Mart and encountered Kenny Washington. After "how ya' doin'"s, I mentioned how much I liked this date. Kenny "jumped down my throat" with "Damn, all the cats are into The Rajah". This Morgan date was released at the same time and seemed to be the "in" release. When questioned about the Mobley record, Kenny came back with negatives about Donald Byrd.

I still enjoy both dates.

[Soul Stream]

I have this session on a crappy XDR cassette that sounds like hell.  But the MUSIC is absolutely some of my favorite Mobley.  I always forget this until I pull this cassette out and remind myself.

Anybody else really, really dig this session?

Hello?  Blue Note...can't believe they haven't got this thing out on a CD recently.

←

I have that same crappy cassette.

I still play it.

←

The one w/the white case?

←

Yes...that's the one.

[Soul Stream]

I like this date a bunch. My current copy is a Toshiba vinyl pressing.  I've told this story before - about a month after it was first issued in the US I was in the Jazz Record Mart and encountered Kenny Washington. After "how ya' doin'"s, I mentioned how much I liked this date. Kenny "jumped down my throat" with "Damn, all the cats are into The Rajah".  This Morgan date was released at the same time and seemed to be the "in" release. When questioned about the Mobley record, Kenny came back with negatives about Donald Byrd.

I still enjoy both dates.

←

Seems like Donald Byrd gets a lot of grief from "people in the know." Glad I'm not so smart!

[JSngry]

"All the cats" is one of the many reasons I choose to stay home as much as I do.

Fuckin' sheep...

[Ron S]

"All the cats" is one of the many reasons I choose to stay home as much as I do.

Fuckin' sheep...

Are you using that word as an adjective? Or as a verb?

[Chuck Nessa]

"All the cats" is one of the many reasons I choose to stay home as much as I do.

Fuckin' sheep...

Are you using that word as an adjective? Or as a verb?

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He's in Texas.

[Soul Stream]

...yeah, the more I listen the more Donald Byrd just ruins it for me....I guess I'll change my mind to what everyone else thinks.

So, on second thought, this album sucks. Go find Lee Morgan's "The Rajah."

[David Ayers]

This is a sweet record. Actually I enjoy Byrd's solos. I have the CC CD. We may be waiting some time for a reissue. If you see a copy snap it up!

[John Tapscott]

I have this session on a crappy XDR cassette that sounds like hell.  But the MUSIC is absolutely some of my favorite Mobley.  I always forget this until I pull this cassette out and remind myself.

Anybody else really, really dig this session?

Hello?  Blue Note...can't believe they haven't got this thing out on a CD recently.

←

Yes, I love this session, even though it's on that same cassette (white case) and is in danger of wearing out from lots of plays. One of my favorite Mobley dates. FWIW, I would have considered it to be a stronger date than "The Rajah" but I'm going to listen to both cassettes in my car over the next couple of days for a back to back comparison.

[John Tapscott]

I like this date a bunch. My current copy is a Toshiba vinyl pressing.  I've told this story before - about a month after it was first issued in the US I was in the Jazz Record Mart and encountered Kenny Washington. After "how ya' doin'"s, I mentioned how much I liked this date. Kenny "jumped down my throat" with "Damn, all the cats are into The Rajah".  This Morgan date was released at the same time and seemed to be the "in" release. When questioned about the Mobley record, Kenny came back with negatives about Donald Byrd.

I still enjoy both dates.

←

Speaking of Kenny, does he still have that Saturday night big band radio program going? I've never heard it, of course, but remember reading about it in one of the jazz magazines 10 years ago or so. It also mentioned Kenny's huge jazz collection. I may disagree with Kenny about "Far Away Lands/The Rajah" (that was his opinion 20 years ago; we can hardly hold him to it now), but this guy is REALLY into the music. Gotta to give him credit.

[BruceH]

This IS a good album, though there are four or five (or six) Mobley's that I like more.

[sidewinder]

I picked up French DMM vinyls of 'Far Away Lands' and 'The Rajah' when they came out here in England in the mid-80s (from nowhere - caused a bit of a stir in the jazz press of the time) and liked both of these from the outset. Both A1 'no bullshit' releases. Nothing very profound on 'Far Away Lands' but hugely enjoyable and I particularly like the grooving Walton/Carter/Higgins rhythm section. Just spinning the Collectors' Choice CD of this one.

[brownie]

I also have that French DMM BN of 'Far Away Lands'.

Will happily get a better CD reissue when it becomes available. Unless the reissue is from the same digital remastering job attributed to Ron McMaster and Wally Trangott.

My copy also includes a giant foldout copy of a blue/white BN label on one side and portraits of many BN stars on the other side. Courtesy of Manhattan Records. Nice!

[sidewinder]

Yes, I think all of the DMMs originally came with that fold-out. I've still got about 20 of them !

Just looking at the CD, Ron McMaster did the digital transfer. Originally came out in 1988 I think, so one of the very early BN CD issues.

Edited September 20, 2005 by sidewinder

[Peter]

I have not heard "Far Away Lands" but I dig just about everything that has Cedar Walton & Billy Higgins togather.

[John Tapscott]

I've listened to them both recently and I think "Far Away Lands" is a significantly better date than "The Rajah. " To me Byrd sounds just fine on "Lands." The band is tight and Mobley is in excellent form. Great comps, too. For some reason I've never dug Lee's playing on "Rajah" all that much. To me, he doesn't really dig in as much as usual. It's like he's skimming the surface. I really dislike the long quote from "And the Angels Sing" in his solo on the first track. Seems overdone and out of character. All IMHO, of course.

[Chuck Nessa]

For some reason I've never dug Lee's playing on "Rajah"  all that much. To me, he  doesn't really dig in as much as usual. It's like he's skimming the surface.  All IMHO, of course.

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There is a "laid back" quality in this date I find very attractive.

[Tom 1960]

I was fortunate enough to purchase this recently in the "Offering & Looking For" section of the forum. Definitely an underrated Hank date. Enjoying this alot.

Edited November 3, 2010 by Tom 1960

[Son-of-a-Weizen]

I have this session on a crappy XDR cassette that sounds like hell.

Coincidentally, I have this cassette sitting in the car player. It's been in there for a good 3 months now....almost as long as Byrd's 'Mustang' has been in the cd player. Have often wondered how often most normal people switch out their vehicle music? ... every week or so?

[Free For All]

I also had this on cassette ages ago. I realized I didn't have it on CD, so I just ordered a copy. It is an excellent session.