Sonny Clark: Lover
Musicians:
Sonny Clark (piano), Art Farmer (trumpet), Jackie McLean (alto sax), Paul Chambers (bass), Philly Joe Jones (drums).
Composed by Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
.Recorded: Hackensack, N.J., January 5, 1958
Rating: 88/100 (learn more)
Soundman Rudy Van Gelder's reverb made hard-edged trumpeters such as Lee Morgan and Donald Byrd sound commodious, but here it has the opposite effect. Electronically diffusing Art Farmer's glowing tone was akin to peering at Monet's Water Lilies through a gauze scrim, missing the point entirely. Fortunately, this track is redeemed by Jackie McLean, oft uneven but in fine fettle, and by Philly Joe in fettle even finer. Although producer Alfred Lion initially spurned "Lover" due to a raggedy-ass ending in which Jones gets carried away by his own enthusiasm, it's well worth hearing.
Reviewer: Alan Kurtz
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