LEE MORGAN
Candy (Blue Note)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Lee Morgan, one of the best trumpet players in jazz history, began his career with Dizzy Gillespie's big band at the age of 18. He recorded Candy for Blue Note a year later, in 1957. Listening to this cd, it's difficult to believe the relaxed, expressive, and passionate playing is coming from someone so young. Yet Morgan, influenced by Clifford Brown (another trumpet genius) seemed to have always possessed a mature approach to playing his chosen instrument. Critic Steve Voce once wrote "As far as can be ascertained Morgan never recorded a bad solo. Fortunately his short career was crammed with recording sessions and, since most of them were recorded for Blue Note by Rudy Van Gelder, their quality is high on all counts."

Candy is a Hard Bop session of mostly standards. Morgan, backed by Sonny Clark on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Art Taylor on drums, smokes. Morgan's is the only horn in this lineup, but he never fails to rivet one's attention to his playing. Listen to the warmth and clarity of vision in such tunes as "Since I Fell For You," "All The Way," and "Personality." My personal favorite is the title number. Though recorded by many others, Morgan's joyous version stands as the definitive interpretation. Candy is a masterful album by a master of bop trumpet.

© 2000 - Ron Saranich