Arthur Blythe-Basic Blythe

[AndrewHill]

Saw this used last night, and since I don' have any Blythe in my possession I was wondering if this would be a good place to start. The Penguin guide pretty much slammed this one (1st edition) but I don't always agree with what Penguin has to say (Bill Dixon's Thoughts being one of those instances). It looks like its OOP and I can get it for $6. Is Penguin wrong? Is this a good place to start (I read that the India Navigations are excellent)?

[Peter]

This one would be low on my priority list, but it is oop and only $6 and still an enjoyable disc. Lennox Avenue Breakdown is widely considered Blythe's best.

[Hot Ptah]

I would start with Lenox Avenue Breakdown, In The Tradition and Blythe Spirit.

Basic Blythe would be fairly far down on my list after that. However, it is a credible album, not a bad album or a commercialized album.

[relyles]

This is the first Blythe recording I purchased and one I enjoyed. However, after collecting most of Blythe's recorded output as a leader, I would have to agree with those that have already stated that it is not his best.

[Tom Storer]

If you can find any of his 80's albums with his alto-guitar-cello-tuba-drums quintet, those are killers, too.

[Spontooneous]

Yep, "Basic" is a low priority.

"Spirits In the Field" on Savant shouldn't be missed.

[Kalo]

Lennox Avenue Breakdown is widely considered Blythe's best.

I Never understood why. The rhythms on that are too static for my taste. I'm an Illusions and Blythe Spirit man myself.

[Hot Ptah]

Lennox Avenue Breakdown is widely considered Blythe's best.

I Never understood why. The rhythms on that are too static for my taste. I'm an Illusions and Blythe Spirit man myself.

Illusions is another really good one. I knew I was forgetting one from his first burst of recording on Columbia.

[AndrewHill]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to pass on it, and wait for some of the other albums you guys mentioned to come around.

[PHILLYQ]

If you can find any of his 80's albums with his alto-guitar-cello-tuba-drums quintet, those are killers, too.

That group was excellent! I saw them live once and was blown away- heavy & light at the same time and swingin'(but not conventionally).

If you can find 'In the Tradition'(not on CD to my knowledge) it's also very good.

Edited June 14, 2007 by PHILLYQ

[BruceH]

Lennox Avenue Breakdown is widely considered Blythe's best.

I Never understood why. The rhythms on that are too static for my taste. I'm an Illusions and Blythe Spirit man myself.

Same here. When it comes to Blythe, I'll always keep my Illusions.

[Kalo]

Lennox Avenue Breakdown is widely considered Blythe's best.

I Never understood why. The rhythms on that are too static for my taste. I'm an Illusions and Blythe Spirit man myself.

Same here. When it comes to Blythe, I'll always keep my Illusions.

Half of the tracks on Illusions are performed by the In the Tradition band, the other half by the alto-guitar-cello-tuba-drums quintet.

[David Ayers]

I don't know Basic Blythe. Lennox Avenue is I think a little over-rated. I do really like the tuba band which plays on Light Blue and others.

[Kalo]

I don't know Basic Blythe. Lennox Avenue is I think a little over-rated. I do really like the tuba band which plays on Light Blue and others.

Light Blue is a nice session. The tuba/guitar band playing Monk. Came out in 1983, shortly after his death.

[Kalo]

Monk's death, that is.

Blythe is still with us.