Cheap Screamin' the Blues (Music) (Oliver Nelson) Price

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Customer Reviews of Screamin' the Blues

FOR THE TRUE OLIVER NELSON FAN ONLY
This is a precursor to Oliver Nelson's greatest moments, one which sounds to this reviewer as if all the players were playing different music. At the heart of the problem is Roy Haynes (a wonderful drummer, but not here), whose feel, especially in his ride symbol pattern, is far too stiff for the bluesy nature of the recording. The title piece is very difficult to listen to for this reason, while some of the other blues-oriented numbers find him sounding hesitant and unschooled. Also, despite their passionate contributions, Eric Dolphy (alto sax and bass clarinet) and Richard Williams (trumpet) are not a good contrast. And without a drummer who can ground their differences, the whole thing suffers. Williams plays in a very straight-ahead style, staying within the feel of a blues-drenched bop. Eric extends himself all over the map, playing his full-tilt, post-bop style without any context. He's much better on Blues and the Abstract Truth. Oliver solos well but without the inspiration he shows elsewhere. Wyands and Duvivier are just there.

The listener would do better to get one of the true classics. For the jazz fan, go for Blues and the Abstract Truth or for More Blues and the Abstract Truth, both great albums. If you want gut-busting blues, go for the rare but truly essential Live in Los Angeles, which features a powerhouse big band, an electric guitarist who plays blues as if it was his last night on earth, and some of the most inspired and energetic playing I have ever heard.

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What a front line
What a shame that the men on this front line are all long since departed. Take the impeccable taste of Nelson's tenor and his compositional and arrangement talents, the boundless creativity of Eric Dolphy's alto, and the vastly underrated power of Richard Williams's trumpet, and you have all the ingredients for a powerhouse recording. "Screamin' the Blues" proves to be just that.

If you're familiar with Nelson's wonderful "Blues and the Abstract Truth" recording, you'll be surprised by "Screamin' the Blues," which is much earthier and much hotter. Williams's trumpet, for example, is scorching throughout, particularly on "March On, March On," and "The Meeting," a great excursion back to the church. Contrast his playing with Freddie Hubbard's on "Blues and the Abstract Truth." They're both great, but Williams will raise you out of your seat a couple of extra notches.

Dolphy, as was the case on "Blues and the Abstract Truth," is in superb control here without ever losing his edge. His fiery playing contrasts well with Nelson's controlled heat.

"Altoitis" is a great closer, a tribute to three departed giants, who testify on their horns for all they're worth. Savor every second of this release and don't be afraid to go ahead and scream your approval for these jazz/bluesmen.

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Screamin' is right!
I bought this cd because I knew Eric Dolphy was on it but at the time I had never heard Oliver Nelson. SCREAMIN' THE BLUES is the absolute perfect title for this cd and it's title-track. Nelson reminds me of a simplified version of Cannonball Adderley (though Adderley didn't play tenor), or maybe of a more soulful version of a 1950's R&B saxophonist. Oliver could have been the star musician at the school dance in the movie BACK TO THE FUTURE.

Nelson's tenor just oozes the blues on the title track! I'm not really knowledgeable on Church or Gospel music but my nickname for the title-track on this cd is the "Take-me-to-church track!". Richard Williams is the trumpet version of Nelson, just absolutely soul-deep in the blues tradition.

THE MEETIN' has a very ghostly, spiritiual Dolphy solo. The world lost something huge when Eric died and took that gorgeous tone with him.

Then to top it off, you get to hear both Nelson and Dolphy cut loose on their alto's on ALTO-ITIS. Two very different styles... Dolphy with his "slurred swing" style and Nelson with his "deep blues traditional" style, but the differences in style and similarities in emotional depth make them a great team.

This cd really surprised me, I never expected it to be as great as it is.