It is ironic that on tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons' final recording date, the last song he performed was the standard "Goodbye." That emotional rendition is the high point of this session, a septet date with cornetist Nat Adderley, altoist Gary Bartz, pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Sam Jones, drummer Louis Hayes, and Ray Barretto on congas. In contrast to the somewhat commercial studio albums he had recorded during the past couple of years, this set was much more freewheeling, for Ammons was clearly happy to perform the material (which included "It Don't Mean a Thing," "Alone Again (Naturally)," and "Jeannine") without any tight arrangements, in the spirit of his Prestige jam sessions of the 1950s. It's a fine ending to a colorful career. -
by Scott Yanow, AMGArtist: Gene Ammons
Album: Goodbye
Year: 1974 (Prestige)
Quality:
eac-flac, cue, log, artw.Label: OJC (24-bit remastered, 2002)
Total time: 37:34
Tracks:1. Sticks (Cannonball Adderley) 6:30
2. Alone Again (Naturally) (Gilbert O'Sullivan) 5:59
3. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (Duke Ellington/Irving Mills) 5:41
4. Jeannine (Duke Pearson) 7:15
5. Geru's Blues (Gene Ammons) 7:36
6. Goodbye (Gordon Jenkins) 4:32
Personnel:Gene Ammons (Tenor Saxophone)
Nat Adderley (Cornet)
Gary Bartz (Alto Saxophone)
Kenny Drew (Piano)
Sam Jones (Double Bass)
Louis Hayes (Drums)
Ray Barretto (Conga)
