George Adams

[StarThrower]

I was enjoying some of Adams' fiery and soulful playing on YouTube last night. Seems like most of the Pullen/Adams albums are out of print. I found a live album with John Scofield playing some impassioned solos. Anyone familiar with that album? It's called Live In Montmartre.

A guy like Joe Lovano certainly got a lot of inspiration from Adams. You can really hear it his playing, along with the Dewey Redman influence.

[jeffcrom]

There's already an Adams/Pullen thread (or two), but amazingly, this seems to be the first thread devoted solely to George Adams.

I love Adams - although maybe not as much as I did as a young man. I probably first heard him on Gil Evans' There Come a Time album, and liked his inside/outside style right away. I saw the Adams/Pullen Quartet at the Atlanta Jazz Festival in 1980, and was blown away by the energy; I ordered Don't Lose Control on Soul Note from a local record store the next day. Adams played in Atlanta fairly frequently in those days (he's from nearby Covington), and I always tried to make it to his shows.

I don't have the Live at Montmarte album, but I've got an Enja record called More Sightings from the year before, with Adams, Hannibal Peterson, and Scofield.

As I've gotten older, his playing sometimes seems kind of over-the-top. Somebody here said that he tended to press the "hot" button from the first note. That's a good description - I'd give credit if I remember who said it. I still love his playing, but sometimes I wish he would have built his solos a little more deliberately.

And no offense, but I don't hear any George Adams/Joe Lovano connection or influence at all.

One odd recommendation: listen to Pete Levin's tune "Subway" from Gil Evans' Live at Umbria Jazz Vol. 1 album - not for Adams' playing, but for his (mostly) spoken vocals. He calls the NYC subway stops in a way which is somehow dramatic, menacing, and funny all at the same time.

[JSngry]

This was the first Adams solo I knowingly heard. Blew me away, totally. Still does.

Agreed that he became more of a "stylist" as time went along (and from what I've now heard, maybe he was already one before he started working with Mingus), but still, a totally distinctive & personal voice. Great work with McCoy & Gil besides that with Mingus, and his That Old Feeling album on Blue Note just works for me, period, mannerisms and all.

[kh1958]

In addition to Mingus, Pullen, Gil Evans, and Hannibal Marvin Peterson, he also made interesting recordings with James Blood Ulmer, and I've long enjoyed his two recordings on Soul Note with Dannie Richmond and Jimmy Knepper.

Edited August 12, 2012 by kh1958

[StarThrower]

There's already an Adams/Pullen thread (or two), but amazingly, this seems to be the first thread devoted solely to George Adams.

I don't have the Live at Montmarte album, but I've got an Enja record called More Sightings from the year before, with Adams, Hannibal Peterson, and Scofield.

As I've gotten older, his playing sometimes seems kind of over-the-top. Somebody here said that he tended to press the "hot" button from the first note. That's a good description - I'd give credit if I remember who said it. I still love his playing, but sometimes I wish he would have built his solos a little more deliberately.

And no offense, but I don't hear any George Adams/Joe Lovano connection or influence at all.

Hmm? Lovano has always sounded like a composite of modern influences to my ear including Adams, Redman, Joe Henderson, and Coltrane. He definitely has a more abstract and cool approach to some of his lines compared to Adams who is visceral and highly emotional. I'm gonna grab the live album with Scofield. I like his old chorus heavy sound, and he plays his butt off from what I've heard. I suppose Adams can be a bit over the top, but it sounds like it's coming from the heart. He always sounded great with Pullen.

He's no Wayne Shorter or Sonny Rollins, but I still like him a lot. And his style went well with Mingus, who was quite extroverted. And Mingus most likely pushed him to play better than he might on his own.

[robertoart]

In addition to Mingus, Pullen, Gil Evans, and Hannibal Marvin Peterson, he also made interesting recordings with James Blood Ulmer, and I've long enjoyed his two recordings on Soul Note with Dannie Richmond and Jimmy Knepper.

The two Phalanx albums with Blood Ulmer, Sirone and Rashied Ali are deep.

I've got this one. It used to give me a real buzz as a younger listener to hear an avant-garde player like Adams do straight ahead bar-room blues forms (with vocals) like the title track. It kinda bought my two listening domains together.

and this is another live one with Scofield,

[John L]

I really enjoy his tenor playing, but for some reason his singing for me is like fingernails on a blackboard.

[GA Russell]

I believe that I saw Adams as a member of Roy Haynes' group ca. 1969.

Do you think that that is correct? As I recall, Marvin Hannibal Peterson was on trumpet, and I'm sure that Carl Schroeder was on piano.

[JSngry]

I believe that I saw Adams as a member of Roy Haynes' group ca. 1969.

Do you think that that is correct? As I recall, Marvin Hannibal Peterson was on trumpet, and I'm sure that Carl Schroeder was on piano.

1969 may or may not be a little early, but those people are correct. There's two Haynes albums on Mainstream albums with them on it.

[medjuck]

I saw him with Mingus a couple of times in the mid-'70s. Knocked me out. Even his theatrics (spinning around at the climax of solos).

[Pete C]

Seems like most of the Pullen/Adams albums are out of print.

Is that true? I thought with the Blue Note material on the Mosaic Select and the Black Saint/Soul Note albums and boxes most was in print.

I saw him with Mingus a couple of times in the mid-'70s. Knocked me out. Even his theatrics (spinning around at the climax of solos).

I saw him a bunch of times with Mingus, starting in 1973, until he was replaced by Ford. If you compare his playing on the Haynes albums and Moves with Changes you can see how much more depth & lyricism he gained after working with Mingus for a while. Same can be said for Pullen, IMO.

I don't hate his singing, but I prefer Frank Lacy on Devil Blues.

Edited August 12, 2012 by Pete C

[StarThrower]

No Pullen/Adams on Mosaic. The Black Saint box is Pullen albums. I did find a couple of albums at Grooves, Inc. Melodic Excursions, and City Gates.

[David Ayers]

No Pullen/Adams on Mosaic. The Black Saint box is Pullen albums. I did find a couple of albums at Grooves, Inc. Melodic Excursions, and City Gates.

Breakthrough and Song Everlasting are on the Select.

[jeffcrom]

There's already an Adams/Pullen thread (or two), but amazingly, this seems to be the first thread devoted solely to George Adams.

I don't have the Live at Montmarte album, but I've got an Enja record called More Sightings from the year before, with Adams, Hannibal Peterson, and Scofield.

As I've gotten older, his playing sometimes seems kind of over-the-top. Somebody here said that he tended to press the "hot" button from the first note. That's a good description - I'd give credit if I remember who said it. I still love his playing, but sometimes I wish he would have built his solos a little more deliberately.

And no offense, but I don't hear any George Adams/Joe Lovano connection or influence at all.

Hmm? Lovano has always sounded like a composite of modern influences to my ear including Adams, Redman, Joe Henderson, and Coltrane. He definitely has a more abstract and cool approach to some of his lines compared to Adams who is visceral and highly emotional. I'm gonna grab the live album with Scofield. I like his old chorus heavy sound, and he plays his butt off from what I've heard. I suppose Adams can be a bit over the top, but it sounds like it's coming from the heart. He always sounded great with Pullen.

He's no Wayne Shorter or Sonny Rollins, but I still like him a lot. And his style went well with Mingus, who was quite extroverted. And Mingus most likely pushed him to play better than he might on his own.

I hear everyone you mentioned in Lovano's playing - except Adams. Everybody's ears are different, of course.

And I didn't mean to give the wrong impression - whatever my occasional qualms about his taste, I love George Adams. He's like a childhood hero of mine, almost. I'm not going to list the albums I have by him, because it's a ton.

Thanks for starting this thread.

[StarThrower]

No Pullen/Adams on Mosaic. The Black Saint box is Pullen albums. I did find a couple of albums at Grooves, Inc. Melodic Excursions, and City Gates.

Breakthrough and Song Everlasting are on the Select.

Out of print.

[David Ayers]

No Pullen/Adams on Mosaic. The Black Saint box is Pullen albums. I did find a couple of albums at Grooves, Inc. Melodic Excursions, and City Gates.

Breakthrough and Song Everlasting are on the Select.

Out of print.

Kettle defense.

I never borrowed your kettle. Anyway it had a hole in it. Besides, I gave it you back.

FWIW the Pullen is a cheap download at amazon.

i.e. the Pullen Mosaic

[marcello]

Love(ed) George Adams, especially when I saw and heard him on this day:

Saxophonist George Adams at the 52nd Street Jazz Fair, July 6, 1976 NYC

[StarThrower]

Nice photos! I didn't realize he was only 52 when he died. I was thinking 62. I was really into Don Pullen when he got sick and died in the mid 90s. Terrible loss. I really liked his African Brazilian connection with Carlos Ward. Ward doesn't seem to get much attention, but I think he's a great player. He made some fine music with Abdullah Ibrahim, and Don Cherry. Never could find a copy of his Music For Two Don's.

[J.A.W.]

Nice photos! I didn't realize he was only 52 when he died. I was thinking 62. I was really into Don Pullen when he got sick and died in the mid 90s. Terrible loss. I really liked his African Brazilian connection with Carlos Ward. Ward doesn't seem to get much attention, but I think he's a great player. He made some fine music with Abdullah Ibrahim, and Don Cherry. Never could find a copy of his Music For Two Don's.

Amazon

[brownie]

Saw him several times, including two magic evenings with Gil Evans, one of them at the Village Vanguard when Adams (and others) ignited the orchestra to fiery proceedings!

What a great player he was!

[BFrank]

Lots of stuff on Amazon, including some very reasonable prices on downloads, if you're interested.

[JohnS]

I rather like the two that came out Blue Note, America and Nightingale. Maybe a trifle lite but very enjoyable.

[robertoart]

I read alcohol contributed to his death at such a young age. Or that was the insinuation anyway.

I liked his blues singing. Lovano couldn't have gotten away with it.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I first heard Adams on this

I got a distinct impression that he never played like that again.

MG

[StarThrower]

Lots of stuff on Amazon, including some very reasonable prices on downloads, if you're interested.

When you see the 9.90 list price at Amazon, those are CD-Rs. No thanks!