The first thing that is going to shock you about this collection of material by legendary bassist Gary Peacock during his early years is that at one time HE ACTUALLY LOOKED YOUNG!
Together with Charlie Haden, Steve Swallow and Chuck Israels, the recently departed Gary Peacock was one of the most important of the up and coming bassists, best known for his work with Keith Jarrett’s classic trio alongside Jack DeJohnette, as well as with Albert Ayler and Paul Motian. This retrospective has him in seen different settings, all in Los Angeles (or Santa Monica) in trio or small group formats, showing a wide breath and width of his talents and taste.
There are some surprises here, as Peacock shows a debt to and influence from legend Charles Mingus, giving some clever work in Carmell Jones’ Quintet with Harold Land/ts on “I’m Gonna Go Fishin’” and snapping with the trio of Clare Fischer/p and Gene Stone on “Free Too Long”. This same trio is quite lively, with Peacock’s bass dominating “Stranger” and bopping to the nifty and hip “I Love You”. A straight Jazz Messenger-ish “New Groove” and “Liddledabllduya” with Bud Shank/as, Jones/tp, Dennis Budimir/g and Mel Lewis/dr sounds like vintage Blue Note material, while elliptical tones are by the more adventurous team of Peacock with Paul Bley/p and Nick Martinis/dr a Monkish “Form” and sepia “Donkey”. West Coast warm.