Lou Donaldson: Pretty Things-1993 Blue Note Reissue Stereo 12" Record

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1993 Stereo Reissue of Classic 1970 Blue Note Release of bandleader/Composer/Alto Saxophonist Lou Donaldson Entitled Pretty Things, Produced by Francis Wolff, Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, Cover Design by Havona/Bob Venosa, Liner Notes by Bill Johnson - "Lou Donaldson has long been an excellent bop altoist influenced by Charlie Parker, but with a more blues-based style of his own. His distinctive tone has been heard in a variety of small-group settings, and he has recorded dozens of worthy and spirited (if somewhat predictable) sets throughout the years. Donaldson started playing clarinet when he was 15, soon switching to the alto. He attended college and performed in a Navy band while in the military. Donaldson first gained attention when he moved to New York and in 1952 started recording for Blue Note as a leader. At the age of 25, his style was fully formed, and although it would continue growing in depth through the years, Donaldson had already found his sound. In 1954, he participated in a notable gig with Art Blakey, Clifford Brown, Horace Silver, and Tommy Potter that was extensively documented by Blue Note and that directly predated the Jazz Messengers. However, Donaldson was never a member of the Messengers, and although he recorded as a sideman in the '50s and occasionally afterwards with Thelonious Monk, Milt Jackson, and Jimmy Smith, among others, he has been a bandleader from the mid-'50s up until the present. Donaldson's early Blue Note recordings were pure bop. In 1958, he began often utilizing a conga player, and starting in 1961, his bands often had an organist rather than a pianist. His bluesy style was easily transferable to soul-jazz, and he sounded most original in that context. His association with Blue Note (1952-1963) was succeeded by some excellent (if now-scarce) sets for Cadet and Argo (1963-1966). The altoist returned to Blue Note in 1967 and soon became caught up in the increasingly commercial leanings of the label. For a time, he utilized an electronic Varitone sax, which completely watered down his sound. The success of "Alligator Boogaloo" in 1967 led to a series of less interesting funk recordings that were instantly dated and not worthy of his talent. However, after a few years off records, Lou Donaldson's artistic return in 1981 and subsequent soul-jazz and hard bop dates for Muse, Timeless, and Milestone have found the altoist back in prime form, interacting with organists and pianists alike and showing that his style is quite timeless." - "Lou Donaldson has recorded many strong sessions throughout his career but this LP is one of the less-significant ones. Organist Leon Spencer dominates the ensembles, the material is a bit trivial and the altoist/leader uses a baritone sax on some of the selections which makes him sound much less individual than usual. Trumpeter Blue Mitchell's solos and a fine closing jam on "Love" help upgrade the music a bit but there are many better Donaldson recordings to acquire first." - Sensational Personnel for the Quintet and Sextet Features Legendary Composer Lou Donaldson on Alto Saxophone, the Great Blue Mitchell on Trumpet, Ted Dunbar or the Talented Melvin Sparks on Guitars, Leon Spencer Jr. or the Amazing Dr. Lonnie Smith on Organ, Jimmy Lewis on Fender Bass & the Brilliant Idris Muhammad on Drums! - Selections on Side 1 Are the Pee Wee King/Red Stewart Standard Tennessee Waltz  at 6 Minutes 30 Seconds, the Leon Spencer Jr. Penned Curtis' Song and the Harold Ousley Song Sassie Lassie - Tracks for Side 2 Consist of the Lil' Hardin Armstrong/Don Raye Classic Just for a Thrill, Original Lou Donaldson Composition Pot Belly at 8 Minutes 5 Seconds & the Bert Kaempfert/Milt Gabler Standard Love - Used Copy, Cover Very Good++ with a Slightly bent Upper Right Corner, Record has some Light Marks & Scuffs - Stereo Recording, Product Code CDP 0777 7 89194 2 18 - California Residents Add 9.75% Sales Tax - International S & H Extra -