Donald BYRD - Mustang 1966

Donald BYRD - Mustang 1966
Label: Blue Note
Audio CD: (August 19, 2008)

Jazz

This jaunty release from Donald Byrd features some excellent saxophone work from both Hank Mobley (tenor) and Sonny Red (alto). McCoy Tyner contributes rollicking piano lines for Byrd, Mobley, and Sonny to soar over, ably supported by the bass/drums combination of Walter Booker and Freddie Waits. The title track, written by Sonny Red, is a fast paced, bluesy number, featuring unison horns and tasteful soloing. The Byrd compositions "Dixie Lee", "Fly Little Bird Fly", and "I'm So Excited By You" are all excellent pieces. Mobley in particular is lyrical and concise on the six pieces he participates in. The final two cuts finds Joe Chambers replacing Freddie Waits on drums and Jimmy Heath playing tenor sax. "Gingerbread Boy" written by Heath is an excellent boppish piece, while this group's version of "I'm So Excited By You" is pleasing, but not as dynamic as the one earlier on the album. A very good addition to any jazz library, particularly for fans of Mobley, Byrd,
or Sonny Red.
By Jack Baker.
**
After experimenting stylistically on 1963's A NEW PERSPECTIVE (the record included a gospel choir singing with a jazz septet), Donald Byrd returned to playing straight-ahead hard bop in the manner of his late-'50s and early-'60s Blue Note releases. MUSTANG is one such album--a recording of fine, swinging jazz of the quality one expects from Byrd and his associates. With the help of stellar personnel--including Hank Mobley and McCoy Tyner--Byrd burns through this excellent set.

In addition to cover tunes (Duke Ellington's "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good" and Sylvester Kyner's title cut), there are several Byrd originals. The boogaloo-themed "Dixie Lee" and the breakneck-paced "Fly Little Bird Fly" give the instrumentalists plenty of room to stretch out. The CD reissue contains two bonus tracks excerpted from an earlier recording session, featuring saxophonist Jimmy Heath and drummer Joe Chambers.
From CD Universe.
**
Donald Byrd- (Trumpet);
Sonny Red- (Alto Sax);
Hank Mobley, Jimmy Heath- (Tenor Sax);
McCoy Tyner- (Piano);
Walter Booker- (Bass);
Freddie Waits, Joe Chambers- (Drums).
**
01. Mustang 8:30
02. Fly Little Bird Fly 5:27
03. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 5:55
04. Dixie Lee 6:43
05. On the Trail 7:44
06. I'm So Excited By You 5:41
07. Gingerbread Boy 9:01
08. I'm So Excited by You [First Version] 7:16
**
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