ProJazz.net

Many valuable performances from the height of the bop era are included on this double CD. Subtitled “The Complete Blue Note and Capitol Recordings” and comprised of 23 songs and 13 alternate takes, the reissue features the great trumpeter Fats Navarro in peak form with three groups headed by pianist/arranger Tadd Dameron, in trumpet battles with one of his major influences, Howard McGhee, and on a remarkable all-star quintet with pianist Bud Powell and the young tenor Sonny Rollins; among the other sidemen are altoist Ernie Henry; tenors Charlie Rouse, Allen Eager, Wardell Gray, and Dexter Gordon; and vibraphonist Milt Jackson. In addition to such gems as “Our Delight,” “Lady Bird,” “Double Talk,” “Bouncing With Bud,” “Dance of the Infidels,” and “52nd Street Theme,” Fats is heard with the 1948 Benny Goodman septet (“Stealin’ Apples”) and Dameron leads a group with the 22-year-old Miles Davis. On a whole, this double CD has more than its share of essential music that belongs in all historical jazz collections (Scott Yanow/AllMusic).

Track listing:

1-1 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– The Chase (Alternate Take) 2:58
1-2 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– The Chase 2:43
1-3 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– The Squirrel (Alternate Take) 3:19
1-4 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– The Squirrel 2:58
1-5 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Our Delight (Alternate Take) 3:03
1-6 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Our Delight 2:57
1-7 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Dameronia (Alternate Take) 3:11
1-8 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Dameronia 2:57
1-9 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Jahbero (Alternate Take) 3:01
1-10 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Jahbero 2:53
1-11 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Lady Bird 2:50
1-12 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Lady Bird (Alternate Take) 2:49
1-13 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Symphonette 3:06
1-14 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Symphonette (Alternate Take) 3:04
1-15 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– I Think I’ll Go Away 3:14
1-16 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Sid’s Delight 2:53
1-17 Tadd Dameron With Fats Navarro– Casbah 2:57
1-18 Tadd Dameron With Miles Davis– John’s Delight 2:56
1-19 Tadd Dameron With Miles Davis– What’s New 2:59
1-20 Tadd Dameron With Miles Davis– Heaven’s Doors Are Wide Open 3:17
1-21 Tadd Dameron With Miles Davis– Focus 2:59
2-1 The Howard McGhee-Fats Navarro Sextet– The Skunk (LP Master) 2:55
2-2 The Howard McGhee-Fats Navarro Sextet– Boperation 3:07
2-3 The Howard McGhee-Fats Navarro Sextet– Boperation (Alternate Take) 3:08
2-4 The Howard McGhee-Fats Navarro Sextet– The Skunk (78 Master) 3:01
2-5 The Howard McGhee-Fats Navarro Sextet– Double Talk 5:32
2-6 The Howard McGhee-Fats Navarro Sextet– Double Talk (Alterrnate Take) 5:19
2-7 Bud Powell With Fats Navarro– Bouncing With Bud (Alternate #1) 3:04
2-8 Bud Powell With Fats Navarro– Bouncing With Bud (Alternate #2) 3:13
2-9 Bud Powell With Fats Navarro– Bouncing With Bud 3:01
2-10 Bud Powell With Fats Navarro– Wail (Alternate Take) 2:41
2-11 Bud Powell With Fats Navarro– Wail 3:04
2-12 Bud Powell With Fats Navarro– Dance Of The Infidels (Alternate Take) 2:49
2-13 Bud Powell With Fats Navarro– Dance Of The Infidels 2:52
2-14 Bud Powell With Fats Navarro– 52nd Street Theme 2:49
2-15 Benny Goodman With Fats Navarro– Stealin’ Apples 3:07

Personnel:

Alto Saxophone – Ernie Henry (tracks: 2-1 to 6), Ernie Royal (tracks: 1-1 to 8), Sahib Shihab (tracks: 1-16 to 21)
Baritone Saxophone – Cecil Payne (tracks: 1-16 to 21)
Bass – Clyde Lombardi (tracks: 2-15), Curly Russell (tracks: 1-9 to 17), Nelson Boyd (tracks: 1-1 to 8), Tommy Potter (tracks: 2-7 to 14)
Bongos – Chano Pozo (tracks: 1-9,10), Diego Ibarra (tracks: 1-16, 17)
Clarinet – Benny Goodman (tracks: 2-15)
Congas – Vidal Bolado (tracks: 1-16, 17)
Drums – Kenny Clarke (tracks: 1-9 to 17), Mel Zelnick (tracks: 2-15), Roy Haynes (tracks: 2-7 to 14), Shadow Wilson (tracks: 1-1 to 8)
Guitar – John Collins (2) (tracks: 1-18 to 21), Mundell Lowe (tracks: 2-15)
Piano – Bud Powell (tracks: 2-7 to 14), Gene DiNovi (tracks: 2-15), Howard McGhee (tracks: 2-2,3), Milt Jackson (tracks: 2-1, 4, 5, 6), Tadd Dameron (tracks: 1-1 to 21)
Tenor Saxophone – Allen Eager (tracks: 1-9 to 17), Benjamin Lundy (tracks: 1-18 to 21), Charlie Rouse (tracks: 1-1 to 8), Dexter Gordon (tracks: 1-16, 17), Sonny Rollins (tracks: 2-7 to 14), Wardell Gray (tracks: 1-9 to 17 2-15)
Trombone – J.J. Johnson (tracks: 1-18 to 21), Kai Winding (tracks: 1-16, 17)
Trumpet – Fats Navarro, Miles Davis (tracks: 1-18 to 21)
Vibraphone – Milt Jackson (tracks: 2-2, 3)
Vocals – Kay Penton (tracks: 20), Kenny Hagood (tracks: 1-15), Rae Pearl (tracks: 1-17)