THIS PRODUCT IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE U.S.
James Moody (1925-2010), born in Savannah, GA, and raised in Newark, NJ, developed a passion for music during his teenage years. At 16, he received an alto saxophone and began practicing tirelessly. It was over a year later that he discovered his fondness for the tenor saxophone. While serving in the Army from 1943 to 1946, Moody received musical training and learned the rudiments of the instrument. Shortly after being discharged in the summer of 1946, Moody joined Gillespie's big band. His talent as a soloist garnered attention, blending the innovative styles of Parker and Gillespie with his own approach. However, despite making his recording debut as a leader in 1948, his career seemed to stall.
Early in 1949, quite discouraged, Moody decided to head to Paris, where he found success as a recording artist and collaborated with notable musicians like Miles Davis and Max Roach. He also traveled to Stockholm, recording with Swedish musicians. After his European experience, Moody returned to the US in 1951, signing with Mercury Records and embarking on extensive tours of one-night performances, playing a pivotal role in broadening jazz's appeal among the general public. Ralph Gleason, writing for the San Francisco Chronicle, described Moody’s band as “one of the best small groups in the country, a tightly knit yet loosely swinging unit."
Moody's first recordings with Mercury and subsequent albums for Prestige Records from 1951 1955 showcased his leadership, musical prowess, and his versatility and skill on both alto and tenor saxophones. His septet with musicians like Dave Burns, Pee Wee Moore, and singers Babs Gonzales and Eddie Jefferson resulted in memorable performances. Moody's records captured not just the danceable rhythms but also delved into intricate jazz arrangements, catering to a more discerning audience. Despite facing challenges in gaining recognition from critics and being labeled as a rhythm and blues musician, these Moody's recordings reveal a modern and robust swinging sound reminiscent at times of the Gillespie-Tadd Dameron style, constantly captivating and attracting attention.
—Jordi Pujol
Tracklist
CD 1
01. Serenade in Blue (Warren-Gordon) 3:06
02. Margie (Davis-Conrad-Robinson) 3:00
03. Moody's Home (James Moody) 2:45
04. Wiggle Waggle (James Moody) 2:32
05. Until the Real Thing Comes Along (Holiner-Nichols-Cahn-Chaplin) 2:36
06. Hey Jim (James Moody) 3:06
07. Moody's Theme (James Moody) (2:27
08. My Ideal (Robin-Whiting-Chase) 2:52
09. The Bite (James Moody) 2:40
10. Poor Butterfly (Golden-Hubble) 3:01
11. My Ideal (Robin-Whiting-Chase) 2:31
12. St. Louis Blues (W.C. Handy) 2:32
13. The James Moody Story (James Moody) 2:26
14. And Now Moody Speaks (James Moody) 2:27
15. Feelin' Low (Parrish-Smith-Bishop) 3:13
16. Wail Bait (Quincy Jones) 3:02
17. N.J.R. (I'm Gone) (Quincy Jones) 3:19
18. A Hundred Years from Today (Young-Washington) 2:45
19. Keepin' Up with Jonesy (Quincy Jones) 3:14
20. Workshop (Walter Fuller) 3:08
CD 2
01. That Man O'Mine (Wade-Jones-Newbolt) 2:58
02. Over the Rainbow (Arlen-Harburg) 3:03
03. Jack Raggs (James Moody) 2:40
04. Mambo with Moody (Quincy Jones) 4:07
05. It Might as Well Be Spring (Take1) (Rodgers-Hammerstein II) 3:51
06. It Might as Well Be Spring (Take 2) 3:45
07. Blues in the Closet (Oscar Pettiford) 3:53
08. Moody's Mood for Blues (Moody-Jones) 5:31
09. Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen (Traditional) 2:51
10. I've Got the Blues (Eddie Jefferson) 2:43
11. Blue Walk (Benny Golson) 3:14
12. Faster James (Quincy Jones) 3:40
13. There Will Never Be Another You (Warren-Gordon) 3:52
14. Disappointed (Eddie Jefferson) 6:22
15. Hard to Get (Jack Segal) 4:05
16. Little Ricky (Johnny Acea) 3:53
CD 3
01. Big Ben (Benny Golson) 4:21
02. Little John (John Lathan) 4:17
03. Show Eyes (Johnny Acea) 4:23
04. And You Called My Name (Benny Golson) 4:12
05. Jammin' with James (Moody-Burns) 11:41
06. The Golden Touch (Quincy Jones) 4:13
07. The Nearness of You (Carmichael-Washington) 4:56
08. Donkey Serenade (Stothart-Friml-Forrest-Wright) 3:48
09. Moody's Blue Again (Quincy Jones) 4:37
10. The Strut (Benny Golson) 4:06
11. A Sinner Kissed an Angel (David-Joseph) 4:02
12. Wail Moody, Wail (Moody-Burns) 14:00
Album details
Sources CD1:
The following records were initially released by MERCURY as 78 rpm
Tracks #1 & 3 (8258), #7 & 8 (70001), #13 & 14 (70102); #15 & 16 (70185)
Tracks #6,8,15,16 from the 10-inch album “Moodsville” (EmArcy MG 26040)
Tracks #1-5,7,9,10,12,13,14 from the 12-inch LP “The Moody Story” (EmArcy MG 36031)
Track #11 from the 12-inch album “The Moody Story” (EmArcy 195J-10104)
Tracks #19 & 20 were initially released as 78 rpm (Prestige 885)
Tracks #17-20 from the 10-inch album “James Moody’s Moods” (Prestige PRLP 192)
Tracks #17-20 also issued on 12-inch album “Moody” (Prestige PRLP 7072)
Sources CD2:
The following records were initially released by PRESTIGE as 78 rpm
Tracks #2 & 4 (890), #1 & 3 (896), #8 (899), #6 & 12 (903), #7 & 9 (914), #10 & 11 (917)
Tracks #2-5 from the 10-inch album “James Moody’s Moods” (Prestige PRLP 192)
Tracks #6-12 from the 10-inch album “Moody” (Prestige PRLP 198)
Tracks #2,3,4,6,8,9 also issued on the 12-inch album “Moody” (Prestige PRLP 7072)
Tracks #6,10-12 from the 12-inch album “James Moody’s Moods” (Prestige PRLP 7056)
Tracks #13-16 from the 12-inch album “James Moody’s Hi Fi Party” (Prestige PRLP-7011)
Sources CD3:
Tracks #1-4 from the 12-inch album “James Moody’s Hi Fi Party” (Prestige PRLP-7011)
Tracks #5, 10, 11 “from the 12-inch album James Moody’s Moods” (Prestige PRLP 7056)
Tracks #6, 7, 8, 9, 12 from the 12-inch album “Wail Moody, Wail” (Prestige PRLP 7036)
Personnel on CD 1:
Tracks #1-4: John Grimes, trumpet; Bob Range, trombone; James Moody, alto (#1,2,3) & tenor sax (#3,4); Cecil Payne, baritone sax; Johnny Acea, piano; Larry Goins, bass; Chink Williams, drums.
Recorded at Fulton Studios, New York City, October 1951
Tracks #5-8: Dave Burns, trumpet; Donald Cole; trombone; James Moody, alto (#5,7,8,10,11) & tenor sax (#6,9,12); Numa “Pee Wee” Moore, baritone sax; Argonne Thornton, piano; Larry Goins, bass; Teddy Stewart, drums; Babs Gonzales, vocal (#6).
Recorded at Fulton Studios, New York City, May 21, 1952
Tracks #9-12: Unknown trombone replaces Cole.
Recorded at Fulton Studios, New York City, June 6, 1952
Tracks #13-16: Dave Burns, trumpet; Donald Cole, Bennie Green (added on #13,14); trombones; James Moody, alto (#13,15,16) & tenor sax (#14), vocal (#13); Numa “Pee Wee” Moore, baritone sax; Argonne Thornton, piano; John Latham, bass; Teddy Stewart, drums; Babs Gonzales, vocal (#13).
Recorded at Fulton Studios, New York City, June 15, 1953
Tracks #17-20: Dave Burns, trumpet; William Shepherd, trombone; James Moody, alto (#18), tenor (#17,19,20); “Pee Wee” Moore, baritone sax; Argonne Thornton, piano; John Latham, bass; Joe Harris, drums; Eddie Jefferson, vocal (#20). Quincy Jones, arranger.
Recorded in Hackensack, NJ; January 8, 1954
Personnel on CD 2:
Tracks #1-4: Dave Burns, trumpet; William Shepherd, trombone; James Moody, alto (#2,4) & tenor sax (#1,3); Numa “Pee Wee” Moore, baritone sax; Jimmy Boyd, piano; John Latham, bass; Joe Harris, drums; Iona Wade, vocal (#1). Quincy Jones, arranger.
Recorded in Hackensack, NJ; April 12, 1954
Tracks #5-8: Dave Burns, trumpet; William Shepherd, trombone; James Moody, alto (#6,8) & tenor sax (#5,7,8); Numa “Pee Wee” Moore, baritone sax; Jimmy Boyd, piano; John Latham, bass; Clarence Johnston, drums. Quincy Jones, arranger.
Recorded in Hackensack, NJ; September 29, 1954
Tracks #9-12: Dave Burns, trumpet; William Shepherd, trombone; James Moody, alto (#9) & tenor sax (#10-16); Numa “Pee Wee” Moore, baritone sax; Jimmy Boyd, piano; John Latham, bass; Clarence Johnston, drums; Eddie Jefferson, vocal (#10, 14). Quincy Jones, Benny Golson, Johnny Acea, arrangers.
Recorded in Hackensack, NJ; January 28, 1955
Tracks #13-16: Same as previous.
Recorded in Hackensack, NJ; August 23, 1955
Personnel on CD 3:
Tracks #1-5: Dave Burns, trumpet; William Shepherd, trombone; James Moody, alto (#2,8,11,12) & tenor sax (#1,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,12); Numa “Pee Wee” Moore, baritone sax; Jimmy Boyd, piano; John Latham, bass; Clarence Johnston, drums.
Quincy Jones, Benny Golson, Johnny Acea, arrangers.
Recorded in Hackensack, NJ; August 24, 1955
Tracks #6-12: Same as previous.
Recorded in Hackensack, NJ; December 12, 1955
Original recordings supervised by Bob Shad (CD-1 #1-16) and Bob Weinstock
This CD compilation produced by Jordi Pujol
© 2024 by Fresh Sound Records
Mono · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
Blue Moon Producciones Discograficas S.L.
