Grant Green - Idle Moments at JazzStore.com

Review

This languid, seductive gem may well be Grant Green's greatest moment on record. Right from the opening bars of the classic title cut, Idle Moments is immediately ingratiating and accessible, featuring some of Green's most stylish straight jazz playing. Whether he's running warm (pianist Duke Pearson's "Idle Moments"), cool (the Modern Jazz Quartet's "Django"), or a bit more up-tempo (Pearson's "Nomad," his own "Jean de Fleur"), Green treats the material with the graceful elegance that was the hallmark of his best hard bop sessions, and that quality achieves its fullest expression here. He's helped by an ensemble that, as a sextet, is slightly larger and fuller-sounding than usual, and there's plenty of room for solo explorations on the four extended pieces. Pearson's touch on the piano is typically warm, while two players best known on Blue Note for their modernist dates mellow out a bit -- the cool shimmer of Bobby Hutcherson's vibes is a marvelously effective addition to the atmosphere, while Joe Henderson plays with a husky, almost Ike Quebec-like breathiness. That cushion of support helps spur Green to some of the loveliest, most intimate performances of his career -- no matter what the tempo, it's as if his guitar is whispering secrets in your ear. It's especially true on the dreamy title track, though: a gorgeous, caressing, near-15-minute excursion that drifts softly along like a warm, starry summer night. Even more than the two-disc set The Complete Quartets With Sonny Clark, Idle Moments is the essential first Green purchase, and some of the finest guitar jazz of the hard bop era. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Track Listing

1. Idle Moments	14:58
2. Jean de Fleur	6:49
3. Jean de Fleur [Alternate Version][*]	8:09
4. Django	8:45
5. Django [Alternate Version][*]	13:13
6. Nomad	12:18

Details of This Recording

Label: Blue Note
Credits:
Additional Info:
Styles:
- Jazz
- Soul-Jazz
- Hard Bop

Extended Article

The Rudy Van Gelder (RVG) Series consists of classic Blue Note albums that have been newly remastered in 24-bit by original engineer Rudy Van Gelder with state of the art equipment. These audiophile releases contain bonus tracks and session photos.

Quotes

One of the most versatile of guitarists. -George Benson

Read About This Recording

Guitarist Grant Green showed his range on this 1963 reissue, recorded at a time when he was one of Blue Note Records' most prolific artists and a key element of the Blue Note sound. The St. Louis native was discovered by Lou Donaldson, who helped get him signed to the label. After a stint with the Brother Jack MacDuff Quartet, he was replaced by no less than George Benson.

Pianist Duke Pearson (writer of Jeanine) contributes two compositions to this album-the quiet title track and the surging Nomad. He's joined by Joe Henderson on tenor, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Al Harewood.

Idle Moments contains original and alternate takes of Green's Jean De Fleur as well as John Lewis' Django. Green's warm tones, uncluttered lines and keen sense of melody made him a favorite at the label, and an icon of guitarists and fans who loved his mainstream jazz albums and later experiments in funk.

Remastered by original engineer Rudy Van Gelder, with original liner notes by Duke Pearson and new notes by Bob Blumenthal. Photos by Francis Wolff.

-Richard Antone