Benny Golson's "Remembering Clifford"

[Larry Kart]

What a gem this 1997 Milestone album is. A fine, very well-rehearsed band -- John Swana, Ron Blake, Mike LeDonne, Peter Washington, and Joe Farnsworth -- a nice program of mostly new Golson originals with one old favorite "Five Spot After Dark," and two tunes that people used to blow on but now don't that much -- "Dear Old Stockholm" and "Lullaby of Birdland." The other horns acquit themselves handsomely -- Blake plays an especially lucid solo on "Birdland," Swana reminds me at times of Don Fagerquist (a high compliment in my book), LaDonne is relaxed-intense and attractively boppish, and Golson himself is terrific throughout. Didn't even know this one existed until I saw and bought it.

[ghost of miles]

Thanks for the recommendation, Larry--ordered it yesterday after reading your review here.

[RiRiIII]

Thanks for the recommendation, Larry--ordered it yesterday after reading your review here.

Me too. Thanks Larry. And I remember how much I enjoy this one as well: