For those who might not know about him, Donald Byrd was considered by many as one of the finest hard-bop trumpeters after Clifford Brown.Throughout the mid-'50s/mid-'60s, he had the privilege to perform with George Wallington, Max Roach, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Red Garland. In 1955, he was invited by Art Blakey to join *Jazz Messengers*, filling up the chair of his idol, Clifford Brown. Three years later, Blue Note was offering him an exclusive recording contract, "Off to the Races", which would be the first of six albums under the same label 'til "Up with Donald Byrd" under Verve's, in 1964.
It is said that this record's one of his less fortunate ones (I do agree but it doesn't entirely mean that it’s not worth listening to).According to Scott Yanow, "the music is mostly pretty forgettable despite such top sidemen as tenors Stanley Turrentine and Jimmy Heath, pianist Herbie Hancock and guitarist Kenny Burrell". Could that be because of Byrd sticking up more to pop tunes and also because of "a rather average vocal group listed as The Donald Byrd Singers"?I do enjoy this record, regardless of what they say... So, may I please bring these John Lee Hooker, The Animals and Gertrude Ma Rainer covers, this Sunday?
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