7 Classic Albums

These seven albums, by premiere trumpeter Clark Terry, were recorded between 1957 and 1962. On the first of these albums, he was still playing in the Ellington band. It is reflected on two of them, Serenade to a Bus Seat and Duke with a Difference, in personnel, tunes selected and approach. They play like late offshoots of the legendary Ellington small groups of the 30s: compatible players and superb soloists playing the type of musical heads and melodies they were used to playing. The difference, if there is any, is in the playing of Terry himself, who even in the Ellington orchestra played swing music with a decidedly bebop edge. Of the five other albums collected on this 4-CD set, three are throwaways Out on a Limb, Everything Follows, and All American. They offer good but not particularly memorable music. Nothing Terry ever played was bad but All American is just another jazz-players-playing-a-Broadway-show ripoff and the other two seem to me attempts by Clark’s record company to break into the Easy Jazz market. Not my stuff. The remaining two albums are something else. I bought this set basically to get a CD copy of one of my favorite albums from the early 60s: Clark Terry’s Color Changes, which features interesting tunes, superb arranging and stunning solo work by Terry on trumpet and flugelhorn (Terry played sweet flugelhorn –in his day his only match was Art Farmer), trombonist Jimmy Knepper, and multi-reedplayer Yusef Lateef. The other album is In Orbit, interesting because it pairs Terry with Thelonious Monk. Interestingly, they play only one Monk tune, “Let’s Cool This.” Terry is good but it is Monk who amazes. His economy of note choice and ability to tease out and reshape melody in solos amazes. Like many of Real Gone Jazz’s offerings, the sound is not great: you notice it most in the drums which are at times too sharp and strong, almost though not quite compromising the unity of the ensemble sound. But most of the time, the sound is acceptable, four of the seven albums offered here are well worthy owning, and Terry is always good.

If you like Clark Terry, jazz trumpet, or just jazz, this set is for you. Clark Terry is recognized as one of Jazz's preeminent trumpeters/Flugelhornists, and these albums are testament to that, as is the number of years he played in Duke Ellington's Orchestra.The sidemen that Terry plays with on these albums with are some of Jazz's greatest, Wynton Kelly, Philly Joe Jones, Paul Chambers, as well as many from Ellington's Orchestra. Even Thelonius Monk appears as one of Terry's sidemen on "In Orbit".The recorded sound on these discs is great EXCEPT for "Out On A Limb". That transfer sounds as though it was taken from an album that was played far too long with a stylus that was worn way past its change date; the loud passages are distorted and the treble heavy passages are also distorted. If you can listen past those passages and into the music and art that Terry is making, this album will be tolerable. The other transfers are excellent: very natural EQ, detail and soundstage (wide and deep on stereo, deep on the monos).These albums are a great traipse down mid-century memory lane jazz with Clark Terry for a price that's a steal.

Many listeners know flugelhornist Clark Terry best as a featured soloist in the Ellington Band. In this sense, he can be seen as a latter-day swing era soloist, a stylist with an immediately recognizable sound, characterized by great warmth, precision, and humor. But he is that and so much more, as is demonstrated in this set. Featured here is a Terry-led quartet with Thelonious Monk---one of Monk's few sideman sessions; Terry's playfulness meshes nicely with the Monk style. Also featured is a quintet with Johnny Griffin, known as one of the fastest tenor players, also possessing a gruff sound. Terry does not compete with Griffin--his playing is deliberate and clear-toned. Yet the two horns mesh beautifully. Also on this session is an octet, from the great short-lived Candid label, with a perfect name--Color Changes. This features great arrangements and group interplay as well as beautiful solos from Terry and other unique players like trombonist Jimmy Knepper, reedman Yusef Lateef, and pianist Tommy Flanagan. This set is rounded out by two records featuring some Ellington tunes and former Elllingtonians, a session with the great tenor player Budd Johnson, and another quartet. All in all, one of the best and certainly one of the most stylistically varied of the Real Gone Jazz sets.

The Real Gone Jazz four disc sets are a boon to jazz fans. The sound is not on a par with what is found in a Mosaic box, but is better than I had expected given the price. The Clark Terry set is a fine example of putting some of the best albums of a jazz icon in a compact collection. Highly recommended.

I love hearing Clark's older stuff. His sound is so distinctive.My only beef is that these 7 Album collections, for the most part, are either not recognized when ripped to my computer.Sometimes the info is for a different CD or none at all and Title, Track and Artist must be entered by hand for each CD.

Clark Terry is one of those horn players that never fails to astound. He is absolutely astute and is in my opinion - underrated outside a small crowd of jazz enthusiasts. What a great tone, great feel, great instrumentalist. Top Shelf!

Great deal

Great albums from one of the best modern jazz trumpet players, accompanied by many of his ex-Ellington band members. Perfectly re-produced and presented.

Bargain recordings of one of my favourite trumpet and flugelhorn players

Clark Terry a énormément enregistré (des dizaines de CD) en plus ou moins bonne compagnie. Dans cette série, vous n'aurez pas le meilleur... loin s'en faut. Encore une fois, à ce prix, que demander ? Pour le meilleur, allez voir chez Chesky (Village Gate) par exemple.

Clarke Terry was a master technician & jazz musician in the mainstream style of A lot of his best 50s & early 60s work is here.Don't miss it.Plenty of good solos from other musicians as well.Product was shipped efficiently & arrived well before the stated deadline.

Excellent value for money,bought as a Christmas Present which I am certain my son will love.Due to receive it on 25th December!

Imperdibile per gli amanti del genere e non. Ottima musica di sottofondo quando non si ha voglia di scervellarsi per decidere quale disco ascoltare.