Listening Room – “Blues For Walls”

Hampton Hawes – “Blues for Walls”

Hampotn Hawes – “Hamp’s Collard Green Blues”

Hampton Hawes – “Rain Forest”

From “Blues For Walls” : 1976 : Prestige P 10060

Let’s start off the New Year right !!

The title track alone is worth the price of admission to this out-of-print gem by Hampton Hawes (one of our favorites around here).  Hawes turned off a lot of his admirers when he switched to the electric piano in the 1970′s, but hindsight has shown that criticism to be unfounded. Hadley Caliman is on fire and the rhythm section is especially on point, especially on the trio selections.  [Note: There is a fair amount of vinyl surface noise from the rip, but it's worth it to hear this rarity!]

Players:
Hampton Hawes – Piano, Elec Piano, Synthesizer
Oscar Brashear  – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Hadley Caliman – Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
George Walker – Guitar
Henry Franklin – Bass
Leon “Ndugu” Chancler – Drums