The contents of the recently discovered tapes of this January 14, 1961 concert in Tokyo Japan are now on two vinyl LPs. Released on Friday December 10, 2021, the double LP package is as one would expect.
It is Art Blakey (drums) with Lee Morgan (trumpet), Wayne Shorter tenor sax), Bobby Timmons (piano) and Jymie Merritt (bass) in top form , delivering the Jazz message with the passion, the melody, the rhythm, the groove that that edition of the Jazz Messengers patented. Really the music and the performance are top-tier Jazz.
The tunes:
1. Now's the Time - By Charlie Parker (two versions)
2. Moanin' - Bobby Timmons
3. Blues March- By Benny Golson
4. Dat Dere - By Bobby Timmons
5. 'Round About Midnight - By Thelonious Monk
6. A Night In Tunisia - By Dizzy Gillespie & Frank Paparelli
The performances of these tunes that became standards are outstandingly done. They hit a home run with the second version of Charlie Parker's "Now's the Time." The Japanese audience responded with an enthusiasm that Wayne Shorter talks about in the enclosed beautiful 15-page booklet.
My kind of music. Highly recommended.