Early Larry Young Sessions

[Tom 1960]

Realising these dates couldn't possibly come close to matching Larry's classic Blue Note sessions, I'm still curious what folks here think of these recordings? Your input is appreciated.

Edited January 13, 2013 by Tom 1960

[Joe]

Of the 3, GROOVE STREET, by virtue of being the last recorded, is probably the most exploratory / revealing... Bill Leslie is a tenor worth hearing, the program includes an early version of "Talkin' About J.C.", and Larry Young just sounds more like Larry Young here, both in terms of ideas and the tonal qualities of his playing.

The earlier two dates are fine, and -- to mix a metaphor -- probably best heard through the lens of Young-as-prodigy... he was 19 or 20 when TESTIFYING was waxed.

[bertrand]

Actually, my favorite of the three is 'Young Blues'. 'Flickers' (mislabeled 'Minor Dream') and 'Nica's Dream' are stand-outs. The other two are still very good. The recording sound on 'Groove Street' is kind of weird.

Bertrand.

[.:.impossible]

I think you know this already, but you want them all.

[bertrand]

Indeed

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I agree with whoever said you needed them all.

You should also try to find this one (not too hard to find, I think)

It's an incomplete (31 mins including an alternative take of one tune) trio session of Larry with Booker Ervin and Jerry Thomas on drums, tacked on to a Pony Poindexter album with Booker, Al Grey & Gildo Mahones, which is not at all bad. Yes, the coupling is pretty much what Collectables or LOnehill Jazz might have done, but this session really wouldn't have come out otherwise. Recorded Feb 1963. Fantasy waited until 1999 to bring it out for the first time. As valuable for Booker Ervin as for Larry Young.

MG