Two sides of Americana are on display on the latest two discs reissue sets from the Avid Group…
One of the premier hard bop drummers, Art Blakey, was in his halcyon days in the 50s-60s. 1957’s outing has with the formidable team of Lee Morgan/tp, Benny Golson/ts, Bobby Timmons/p and Spanky DeBrest/b with guests Jackie McLean/as and Bill Hardman/tp on the hip “Cranky” and classic “Little Melonae”, and the same year including almost the same band with a focus on percussion for the tribal “Cubano Chant” and “The Sacrifice”. In 1961 Blakey brings in Wayne Shorter/ts for a mix of standards and originals including the sleek “I Hear A Rhapsody” and “Invitation”. Blakey expands to a sextet with trombonist Curtis Fuller and a revamped team with one of his classic bands featuring Freddie Hubbard/tp, Cedar Walton/p, Reggie Workman/b and Shorter for a hard hitting “Caravan” and Hubbard blowing hard on “Thermo” and gloriously on “Skylark”. Vintage sounds.
Johnny Horton was best known for his countrified historical songs as well as being a good honky tonker. His 1959 debut includes tales such as “Wise to the Ways of A Woman” and “Out in New Mexico, with the followup featuring “Devil Made A Masterpiece” and “First Train Headin’ South”, “ Horton struck paydirt next year with an album including mega hits like “The Battle Of New Orleans” and “Whispering Pines”. A collection of his hits includes “Honky Tonk Man” and other two steppers such as “I Got a Hole in my Pirogue” while in 1960 Horton makes history swing with an album including “Sink The Bismark”, “Battle of Bull Run” and “Jim Bridger”. Honky Tonk Heroes.