CiTR

This album is on so many people's "desert island discs". This classic was recorded over two dates in May of 1962. The band worked a few engagements around the New York area then went into the studio. Roy Haynes, who is now 86 years old is one of the wonders of the world as he is still playing as well, if not better than he was when he was much younger. He is amazing, as usual on this recording. Mr. Haynes for most part as a bandleader has always led groups with this simple instrumentation: saxophone, piano, bass and drums. This group was exceptional in that the saxophonist is Roland Kirk, who later became known as Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Kirk, who is blind lived in a world of sound. He plays three saxophones at once and has other instruments strung around his neck and also plays flute and clarinet. We hear some of his work on this record. He plays, flute, manzello (a type of soprano saxophone in Bb) and the stritch (a straight alto saxophone in Eb) plus his tenor saxophone. He are happy that Mr. Kirk visited this planet because there has been none other like him. On piano is "the poet of the piano", the late Tommy Flanagan. His sparkling lines highlight this session. Henry Grimes is on bass and at age 26 had already played with Charles Mingus, when Mingus preferred to play piano, also Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk and singer, Anita O'Day. This special band led by the redoubtable Mr. Haynes delivers on all 7 tunes. Four are standards that have not been overplayed and the remaining three are compositions (rare) by Roy Haynes. All in all a classic by a once in a lifetime group. Mr."Snap Crackle" lives!!!