Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers featuring Wayne Shorter- En Concert Avec Europe 1 - Olympia 13 Mai • 1961

Label: RTE

Released 1993

Art Blakey recorded prolifically during his long career, and one of his best editions of the Jazz Messengers featured Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons, Lee Morgan, and Jymie Merritt, the group present on this live two-CD set, which was recorded in 1961 at the Olympia in Paris. Since this concert originated from a taped broadcast, the sound is inferior to commercial live recordings made by Blakey for various U.S. labels, though it is a thoroughly enjoyable evening of music. Timmons' "Dat Dere" (particularly with Morgan's hilarious incorporation of the theme from the era's hit television show Perry Mason) and "Moanin'" are among the highlights of this release, along with the extended set closer, a spirited take of "A Night in Tunisia." Although a lot of familiar ground is covered and none of the tracks eclipse their better-known counterparts on Blakey's major jazz label live releases, this set is worth seeking by Blakey fans. It is being reissued as two separate volumes by Malaco Jazz.

Track Listing:

1. The Summit
2. Yama
3. Close Your Eyes
4. Dat Dere
5. 'Round Midnight
6. So Tired
7. My Funny Valentine
8. It's Only a Paper Moon
9. Noise in the Attic
10. Moanin'
11. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
12. Blues March
13. A Night in Tunisia