Prime Howard McGhee with superb acoustics…
Howard McGhee – “Maggie’s Back in Town” – Contemporary/Craft Recordings #CR 00710 – 180 gm stereo vinyl – 1961 – 42:51 – ****
(Artists: Howard McGhee – trumpet; Phineas Newborn, Jr. – piano; Leroy Vinnegar – bass; Shelly Manne – drums)
Howard McGhee was a jazz trumpeter that easily made the transition from swing bands, to the bop period of the late ’40s and early ’50s. Howard was a major player in early bop development, recording with Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. He got caught up in the ’50s with the heroin epidemic that brought down many bop musicians, including Parker, but he was able to re-emerge in the 1960s, to go on to record a total of over 25 albums. Later, in his career, Howard went on to work as an educator, passing away in 1987.
Craft Recordings, as part of their Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds Series, has recently released one of McGhee’s classic releases, Maggie’s Back in Town. Originally released in 1961, it has gotten the royal treatment on 180 gm vinyl, with the lacquers cut from the original master tapes by Bernie Grundman. The acoustics are bright and vibrant, showcasing Howard’s mature trumpet tone. At this stage of his career, he was playing with a bit less power and speed, no longer firing off blistering high notes, but instead using space, and a warm burnished tone that fit in well with the early hard bop scene.
Contemporary Records, based out of Los Angeles, has McGhee (also affectionately nicknamed, “Maggie”), paired with the emerging piano genius, Phineas Newborn, Jr; the now iconic, bassist, Leroy Vinnegar, and the drummer for all seasons, Shelly Manne. It’s a dream quartet, and the tracklist consists of a mix of standards, and originals penned by McGhee, and his long time recording partner, saxophonist, Teddy Edwards.
It opens with “Demon Chase,” a blues written for Teddy’s more than energetic young son. It has an infectious swing, and nice counterpoint between Maggie and Newborn. “Willow Weep for Me,” features McGhee’s muted trumpet, on this lyrical ballad. “Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise,” is done with a quick tempo, and builds up to several climaxes. Vinnegar and Manne provide the pulse.
“Sunset Eyes,” later made famous by Teddy Edwards, has altered tones and Shelly’s cymbals stand out in the mix. The title track, at over ten minutes, is the album’s highlight. It gives Howard’s burnished trumpet a chance to really shine in a hard bop arrangement.
The classic, “Summertime,” is both soulful and hot, and McGhee brings to mind, Miles Davis, during his solo choruses. The album closes with Clifford Brown’s, “Brownie Speaks.” It is played at a bop tempo, with Phineas ably setting the pace with a blistering solo.
There is a lot to like here, and fans of each of these esteemed artists will be pleased to own this classic album, now in remastered sublime acoustics.
—Jeff Krow
Maggie’s Back in Town
Tracklist:
Side 1:
Demon Chase
Willow Weep for Me
Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise
Sunset Eyes
Side 2:
Maggie’s Back in Town
Summertime
Brownie Speaks
