Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
The Sesjun Radio Shows
Out Of The Blue Records/T2 Entertainment
www.t2entertainment.nl
By George W. Harris

What’s the old joke: “So many drummers, so little time.” Well, you sure
couldn’t make that accusation to Art Blakey, who essentially wrote the
book on hard bop back in the 50s. Here, on this wonderful 2 disc set,
he’s recorded on sessions that he performed for a Scandinavian radio
station, with teams pre and post Wynton Marsalis from 1978-83. If you
want to know what’s wrong with jazz, and what it needs to get back on
the right track, just listen here. First, each band has a REAL tenor
player that has a manly sound. None of those wimpy emphysemic guys like
nowadays; David Schnitter, Billy Pierce, and (to an extent) Jean
Toussaint have no worries about a low fat diet. These solos are high in
cholesterol like a Tommy’s Burger. Big, beefy and greasy. Wanna talk
about trumpet players? Fine, Valery Ponomarev and Terence Blanchard
shine like a full moon. “My One and Only Love” has the former as clear
as Waterford Crystal, while the latter takes a solo on “Moanin’” that
will have you dancing in the streets.

While each guy solos, the rest of the horn section (which includes
Bobby Watson/as or Donald Harrison) supply backing riffs that get you
moving like a Pentecostal preacher. And the rhythm section-THE RHYTHM
SECTION! James Williams/p, Johnny O’Neal/p Charles Fambrough/b and
Dennis Irwin/b team up with their leader to make rivulets of rhythm
that will get you moving faster than any treadmill. I listened to these
discs while riding my street bike, and beat my best time ever by a good
2 minutes. These guys get you peddling! Unashamedly macho and unafraid to
swing. There’s a reason why his most famous record is called The Big
Beat. The last song of the concert ends with the fans chanting for more music; need any more of an endorsement? Essential listening for anyone trying to figure out what music
can do for the soul.