As part of the ex-patriot scene in Europe, Johnny Griffin made a career as a hard bopper finally appreciated, like many a prophet, out of his home town. This session finds him in England’s famous club Ronnie Scotts with a team of Stan Tracey/p, Malcom Cecil/b and Jackie Gougan/dr. The band is cooking, and Griffin is in testosteroned form, swirling on a stretched out “The Theme” mercurial on the rapid gallop of “(Back Home Again In) Indiana” and in a Monkish mood on “Blues In Twos” and “The Girl Next Door”.
The major issue here is that the piano is quite a bit in the distant, with drums and Griffin way out in front. The imbalance can be a distraction at times, but for those wanting to hear the fastest six shooter in the west, that may be all you’re listening for.