John Patton: Memphis to New York Spirit

Rev Spicy

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Mar 21, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/21/97

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I just picked up this LP in the Rare Groove series and I upon two
listenings, I think it's terrible. The band doesn't mesh, the solos are
boring, the playing uninspired. Very disappointing. Are the other Patton
albums in the RG series as awful as this?

Joshua Rosenstock

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Mar 21, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/21/97

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I can't vouch for that album, but his Understanding album is pretty
groovy. I dunno tho, the other Big John Patton albums i've heard all
seemed kinda similar, like he has a pretty limited musical vocabulary
that he just recycles over and over....

Josh

Tom Benton

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Mar 21, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/21/97

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I haven't heard this record, but 'Boogaloo', also part of the RG series,
sounds fantastic to my ears. This and 'Understanding' are the only two
records to feature Harold Alexander on tenor. He's an absolute monster,
he totally makes the record for me. The band on the whole grooves pretty
hard as well. I would say this is most definetly the one to check out
before writing off Mr. Patton. Let us know how it turns out...

-Tom

Charlie McNeil

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Mar 24, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/24/97

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Not looking to get into an argument, but I can't let this one slide. I
think Patton's recorded output (including the LP in question)
represents a high point in the vast riches of the Bluenote catalog.
Patton's compositions and playing seem (to me) to be both completely
personal and yet grounded in the blues/groove based bop style evident
on bluenotes of this period. His work completely transcends the B3
genre exercises so prevelent at the time. I especially dig "Let 'Em
Roll" which features Bobby Hutcherson on vibes in a quartet that
includes the brilliant Grant Green on guitar. I'm sure I sound like a
soapbox on "11", but these are some of my favorite records ever, and I
just wanted to check in with another viewpoint.

Cheers.

estes stephen

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Mar 25, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/25/97

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Check out John Patton and John Zorn on Minor Move

JFR

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Mar 28, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/28/97

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In <333808...@umbc.edu> estes stephen <ses...@umbc.edu> writes:
>
>Check out John Patton and John Zorn on Minor Move

They also play together on JP's "Blue Planet Man". And I have to say,
to my ears, Zorn's playing is pretty unremarkable ont this one.

R. Edward Stuart

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Apr 5, 1997, 3:00:00 AM4/5/97

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revs...@aol.com (Rev Spicy) wrote:
>I just picked up this LP in the Rare Groove series and I upon two
>listenings, I think it's terrible. The band doesn't mesh, the solos are
>boring, the playing uninspired. Very disappointing. Are the other Patton
>albums in the RG series as awful as this?

Personally, I'd try _Blue Planet Man_ on the _Evidence_ label for something
that might speak to you on a more contemporary level. Zorn plays along
with him on this outing. I believe that he also has a similar recording on
DIW who's name escapes me at the moment. I own _Boogaloo_ from the RG
series, find it pretty disapointing, and find myself reluctent to purchase
another Patton RG release. However, there seems to be something in his
older recordings that lead Zorn to seek out and colaberate with him; so, I
plan on another purchase or two. All of this then begs the question:

Does Patton, best older work lay on other labels?

Thanx,
Ed Stuart
stu...@telerama.lm.com In search of historical babes....

JFR

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Apr 8, 1997, 3:00:00 AM4/8/97

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In <333ae7a...@news.lm.com> stu...@telerama.lm.com (R. Edward

I like the Patton rare grooves, but agree that there is nothing
outstanding about them. I like the ones with Grant Green in
particular. They had the real mood of that era that is hard to
duplicate now. OTOH, Blue Planet Man did less for me, including
Zorn's input.