Art Pepper: THE TRIP

[ghost of miles]

I bought this a few weeks ago when I was putting together a "summer songs" show for Afterglow, since I was curious to hear Pepper's version of "The Summer Knows" (Michel LeGrand tune from THE SUMMER OF '42). I'll admit that I haven't heard LIVING LEGEND, the prior date with Hawes, Haden, and Manne, but this one will do me fine for awhile. Two great versions of Art's title tune, Joe Gordon & Woody Shaw compositions ("Song for Richard" and "Sweet Love of Mine," respectively), and two other Pepper originals ("Junior Cat" and "Red Car") in addition to the already-mentioned and quite lovely "The Summer Knows." Some might notch this record lower due to Pepper's still-digesting Coltrane influence, but to me he sounds well on his way to his "late" style, if not there already... and Elvin Jones' presence makes it go down easy anyway. With George Cables on piano (love his solo on "Junior Cat") and David Williams on bass. The same group, with Georg Mraz taking Williams' place on bass, would make the Village Vanguard recordings the following summer; although I like that rhythm section a bit better, I think in some ways I prefer Pepper's playing here. Not as "raw," perhaps, as on the VV recordings, but more consistently coherent. What do y'all think? I've really been digging Pepper's circa-1960 Contemporary work of late, and I'm just now discovering the 1975-76 material (went on quite a kick with the VV and Galaxy recordings a few years back)... any other recs from the pre-VV period?

[king ubu]

I enjoy this one a lot, got it a few months ago, together with "Living Legend", in a local OJC sale (well, you would consider those full-prize discs, but hey, this is Switzerland, after all...)

I found both of these to be much better than what I'd have expected from reading Penguin etc.

But then I have the Galaxy set, the VV set (that was the very first Pepper I had, I think), and also the Hollywood All Stars set, so I was familiar with later Pepper (more familiar than with the Contemporary albums, of which I still miss a few).

There's many things to enjoy on these two albums, as well as on the Galaxy recordings. The looseness, the open grooves, the simple ostinato-tunes, and above all the always honest (sometimes it almost hurts) Pepper tearing it up with his alto... there may be weaker Pepper albums, but I haven't heard those yet, for sure! "Intensity", one of my favourite albums, btw, is the one word that (almost) says it all. Honesty would be another.

[marcoliv]

My favorite Pepper

[ep1str0phy]

The Trip is relatively new for me, too (just the past few weeks...). As has been noted elsewhere (I think the Penguin cats commented on it), the rhythm section seems strangely detached at times--at worst, jarringly incoherent. Elvin, in particular, often comes across as a little strangled--like a train struggling to build momentum, exploding in starts and fits. It's Pepper who really carries this recording--a pained, pioneer spirit driving through the ensemble like a muscle car. At best, he acts as a galvanizing force... and when it's good, it's stunning (as on the original version of the title cut). Although I'm not terrifically fond of the sideman work on this date (more for the seeming incompatibility of the rhythm team), the 'spirit' of the album is very strong. Worth returning to, no doubt.

[John L]

I really like this early comeback period of Art Pepper, especially the Village Vanguard recordings, the Trip, and Living Legend.

Some critics downgrade these recordings as Pepper still trying to come out from under his ill-advised Coltrane influence of the time. But I actually like a little bit of Trane in my Pepper.

Edited August 3, 2006 by John L