Tag Archives: Ron Carter

Listening Room – “Blackstone Legacy

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Blackstone Legacy

Woody Shaw – Blackstone Legacy

Woody Shaw – Boo Ann’s Grand

From “Blackstone Legacy” : 1970 : Contemporary 7627/8

Originally issued as a double LP, this 1970 record was trumpeter Woody Shaw’s debut as a leader and was ambitious to say the least.  The music on “Blackstone Legacy” is not easy to classify, and a look at the lineup that Shaw assembled for the session gives a hint at the exciting music within.  Bennie Maupin and Gary Bartz on the saxophones, two bassists:  Ron Carter & Clint Houston and Lenny White on the drums were all players that had experience with the progressive jazz Shaw was looking to put down on wax.  A landmark recording in the realm of modern music, any fan of creative music should give it a listen.

Players:
Woody Shaw – Trumpet
Bennie Maupin – Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet, Flute
Gary Bartz – Alto & Soprano Sax
George Cables – Electric Piano
Ron Carter – Bass
Clint Houston – Bass
Lenny White – Drums

Listening Room – “Straight Life”

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Released in 1970, “Straight Life” came out in between the more well known Hubbard albums “Red Clay” and “First Light”.  While I will always be partial to “Red Clay” for personal reasons (it is one of the first jazz albums I ever bought), “Straight Life” may be Hubbard’s greatest CTI recording.  The all-star group (Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette) were all very familiar with each other by this point in their careers and play off each other with ease.   All are on the same page playing the post-bop fusion selections that Hubbard chose for these sessions including his own classic compostition, the title track Straight Life.

Straight Life
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Released 1970  :  CTI Records  :  Catalog # 6007

Players:
Freddie Hubbard – Trumpet
Joe Henderson – Tenor Sax
Herbie Hancock – Piano
George Benson – Guitar
Ron Carter – Bass
Jack DeJohnette – Drums

Freddie Hubbard – Straight Life from “Straight Life”

Freddie Hubbard – Mr. Clean from “Straight Life”

Listening Room – “All Blues”

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carterblues

Ron Carter – A Feeling

Ron Carter – All Blues

From “All Blues” : 1973 : CTI Records # 6037

A great release by bassist Ron Carter from 1973 while he was recording for Creed Taylor’s CTI Records.  A quartet recording featuring Joe Henderson, Roland Hanna and Billy Cobham, much of the music is laid back (even for the blues) and the group’s take on Miles’ famous All Blues is exceptional.  For some reason this album is out of print (as are many of the great CTI recordings) on CD.

Players:
Joe Henderson – Tenor Sax
Roland Hanna – Piano
Ron Carter – Bass
Billy Cobham – Drums

Listening Room – “Tetragon”

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Tetragon

Joe Henderson – Invitation

Joe Henderson – First Trip

From “Tetragon“: 1968 : Milestone MSP 9017

Released in 1968 on Milestone Records, “Tetragon” is credited to the Joe Henderson Quartets, as it features two different rhythm sections over the course of the record.  Henderson and Ron Carter are featured on all tracks, while Kenny Barron and Don Friedman trade off on piano as do Jack DeJohnette and Louis Hayes on drums.  Invitation features DeJohnette and Friedman, while Carter’s composition First Trip features Barron and Hayes.

Players:
Joe Henderson – Tenor Sax
Ron Carter – Bass
Kenny Barron – Piano
Don Friedman – Piano
Louis Hayes – Drums
Jack DeJohnette – Drums