Free (Benny Golson album)
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Free is an album by saxophonist Benny Golson recorded in late 1962 and originally released on the Argo label.[1]
Background
Pianist Tommy Flanagan had played with Golson before; bassist Ron Carter was selected to provide a different approach for the leader; and drummer Art Taylor was a replacement for Philly Joe Jones, who was due to play, but did not go to the studio.[2]
Reception
In the November 7, 1963 issue of Down Beat magazine, critic Harvey Pekar awarded the album 5 stars and said that "Golson's improvising is outstanding; I doubt that he's ever before played as consistently well on record."[3]
The Allmusic review states, "Golson's last album as a leader in which he plays in his Don Byas/Lucky Thompson style (he would soon become a fulltime arranger and, by the time he led his next playing date in 1977, Golson's sound was quite a bit different) finds him in top form".[4] Writing in 2004, critic Bob Blumenthal commented that the album "remains among the highlights of his recording career".[2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Down Beat |  [3] |
| Allmusic |  [4] |
Track listing
All compositions by Benny Golson except as indicated
- "Sock Cha" (Will Davis) – 7:10
- "Mad About the Boy" (Noël Coward) – 7:15
- "Just by Myself" – 5:45
- "Shades of Stein" – 4:30
- "My Romance" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 7:30
- "Just in Time" (Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne) – 5:55
Personnel
Musicians
Production
- Esmond Edwards – production
- Rudy Van Gelder – recording engineering
References
- ^ Benny Golson discography accessed June 27, 2012
- ^ a b Blumenthal, Bob (2004) In The Complete Argo/Mercury Art Farmer/Benny Golson/Jazztet Sessions [CD liner notes]. p. 15. Mosaic.
- ^ a b Down Beat: November 7, 1963 Vol. 30, No. 29
- ^ a b Ankeny, J. Allmusic Review accessed June 27, 2012