LP-603

 James Moody - Flute 'N The Blues

Released 1956

Recording and Session Information

Chicago, November 1 1956
James Moody, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, flute; Johnny Coles, trumpet; William Shepherd, trombone; Pee Wee Moore, baritone saxophone; Jimmy Boyd, piano, peck horn; John Latham, bass; Clarence Johnston, drums; Eddie Jefferson, (tracks 2, 4, 7)
8049 Flute 'N The Blues
8050 Breaking The Blues
8051 Birdland Story
8052 Parker's Mood
8054 Boo's Tune
8055? I Cover The Waterfront
8056 It Could Happen To You
8057 Easy Living
8058 Body And Soul
8060 Richard's Blues

Track Listing

Flute 'N The Blues	Newboldt, Moody, Boyd	November 1 1956
Birdland Story	Jefferson, Moody	November 1 1956
It Could Happen To You	Burke, Van Heusen	November 1 1956
I Cover The Waterfront	Heyman, Green	November 1 1956
Body And Soul	Heyman, Green, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton	November 1 1956
Breaking The Blues	Acoa	November 1 1956
Parker's Mood	Charlie Parker	November 1 1956
Easy Living	Robin, Ranger	November 1 1956
Boo's Tune	Pleasent	November 1 1956
Richard's Blues	Moody, Newboldt	November 1 1956

Liner Notes

WHEN A musician as high up on the musical ladder of success as JAMES MOODY completes a two-day recording session, sandwiched between two distant in-person engagements, with a glowing look of satisfaction, you listeners and legion fans can be assured that the finished product, herewith enclosed, is a real "gasser"....

The true essence of Jazz is maintained throughout the 10 tunes on this LP ...Swing...Creativeness...Indivduality of Conception...Positive, Professional approach...AND...the ability to Interpret the Composers Original Idea, so that even he may recognize it!!!How rare this last talent, Indeed...

Material wise, the music here-in is either "Blues" or a "Standard." The title tune of the album. "FLUTE N' THE BLUES" showcases MOODY on his newly conquered instrument, the ever-lovin' Flute...(Evidently a new-found necessity in todays Modern Jazz Scene). The way James gets down into it should have "flautists" galore hitting the wood-shed trail. On "Flute 'N" and "BOO'S TUNE," with just the rhythm section behind him, J. Moody really does what he so aptly calls, "The Thing"...I think you'll agree that, "The Thing" is really it!

There are two long grooves, one on the end of each side. On, "RICHARD'S BLUES," and the one and only, "BODY AND SOUL," MOODY is featured throughout, with some sparkling spots by a new trumpet talent, JOHNNY COLES, now a permanent member of the organization...Tenor on the 8 minute "Body," and, to coin a little used phrase, "Funky," Alto on the 7 minute, "Richard's"...

"I COVER THE WATEFRONT," "THE BIRDLAND STORY," and "PARKER'S MOOD" (with much less ominous lyrics), provide our vocalist, EDDIE JEFFERSON, with some groovy material upon which to work his particular magic. And swing away he does inventing his own words to two of Moody's previous instrumental solos on, "Waterfront," and, "Birdland." This cut of Bird's tune, incidentally, is the first to include his last chorus solo and also features more fine Johnny Coles trumpeting.... < /br>
JOHNNY really comes into his own on his featured number in the alburh, the beautiful, "EASY LIVING." The warmth and genuineness of his approach, and the peerless manner in which he carries it off, are indications that much more of lasting musical value will undoubtedly emanate from his horn in the near future...

Pianist, arranger, JIMMY BOYD, picked a peck of "Peck Horn," on which to show his wares, on another fine standard, "IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU." The mellowness, almost velvet-like quality of this horn presents a new musical field in which to explore. Not as harsh, or difficult, as a French horn, not tinny as a mellophone, it, along with his fine piano spots throughout many of the sides, provides JIMMY with a real spring-board from which to enchant his many new fans...(After you hear him that is)...

The only tune left to discuss is the lead-in one on side B, "BREAKIN' THE BLUES." No discussion is necessary...It just SWINGSsssss...

PEE WEE MOORE, on Baritone, and WILLIAM SHEPHERD, on Trombone, along with Moody and Coles; complete the front line of the band...The men behind them are some of the most cohesive, and we don't mean sticky, rhythm merchants on the present day Jazz scene; BOYD on Piano, JOHN LATHAN, on Bass, and CLARENCE JOHNSON, on Drums...Their evenness and pulsating blend provides the terrafirma, as it were, from which the explorers could search the unknown, ...

"CREATIVE" is the most happy to welcome JAMES MOODY his FLUTE, TENOR, ALTO, MIND, and BAND into our select group of JAZZ ARTISTS...The recording date was a ball to do, and I'm sure those of you who "ear" this LP, the finished High Fidelity Product, will also have a glowing look of satisfaction upon your happy faces...js...

Joe Segal
Chicago Columnist, Metronome Magazine