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This album contains the tracks that were not included with the album titled
Grand Reunion Recorded Live At The Village Vanguard
. That album and this one are both from a live performance on March 14, 1965. All but one of the tracks on this album, however, feature Hines and his trio that is comprised of George Tucker on bass and Oliver Jackson on drums. Roy Eldridge only shows up on Blue Moon, so the Grand Reunion Album is the one you want if you are looking at this because of Eldridge's (or Coleman Hawkins') participation.
Sound samples on this page give a hint of what is on the album. The recording quality is adequate - not particularly spectacular or terrible - and there is a lot of ambient crown noise. For me that adds to the 'vibe' of the performance, but some friends for whom I have played this album were a little put off by it.
To be honest, comparing this to the rest of the performance that night on the Grand Reunion album is almost like comparing apples to oranges. This is Hines in my favorite setting - a piano trio - and he is clearly leading on each song. He is more in the rhythm section on the other album. If you want to focus on Hines this is the album to get. I also loved Tucker and Jackson, both of whom were exactly where they should be on each track.
If my comments above make this sound like an either/or proposition regarding the two albums I did not intend that. For me both albums are gems, but I am acknowledging that some folks will prefer one over the other. I would personally hate to choose.
Top reviews from other countries
osten svensson
This CD is very varied with a good swingsound and fine enerttainment
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2016
