(John Stein, electric guitar; Ken Clark, organ; Dave Hurst, drums; special guest: David “Fathead” Newman, alto sax/tenor sax/flute)
Over a decade after its initial recording for Challenge Records, jazz guitarist John Stein has re-released his organ trio recording, Green Street, this time for Whaling City Sound. Stein was very active with his organ trio in the late 90s, and the album received a positive reaction upon its initial release. Blue Note’s Michael Cuscuna has kind words for the session in a brief liner note. Therefore, Stein has decided to bring Green Street back, this time with re-mastered sound by Peter Kontrimas, and to sweeten the package added two bonus tracks: Be Ooo Ba, and You’ve Stepped Out of a Dream.
Special guest Fathead Newman makes Green Street more interesting as he guests on five tracks playing alto in addition to his usual flute and tenor duties. Newman’s addition to the group brings this session outside of the more typical soul jazz that organ trios specialize and we hear some bop influences in his playing.
Booga Lou begins the session as a tribute to alto soul jazz master, Lou Donaldson. Stein’s guitar lines definitely bring to mind Grant Green; hence the CDs title is apt. Hotcakes has Fathead on flute and his consummate flute playing is on full display. The trio is on their own for seven out of the twelve tracks, and they more than hold their own without Fathead, as Stein’s lead with Clark’s funky organ bring to mind a Blue Note 60s session. The remastered sound is sweet.
Fathead returns on Ellington’s classic Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, and plays alto in honor of Johnny Hodges, who often was Duke’s featured horn on this gem. The featured ballad on Green Street is Our Love Will See Us Through, and Newman’s solo is matched in soulfulness by Stein’s blues chords.
For those that passed on Green Street, the first time out, the addition of the bonus tracks and better sound make it time to take a stroll on Green Street.
TrackList: Booga Lou, Hotcakes, Jack’s Back, Our Love Will See us Through, Sultry, Green Street, Greyhound, Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me, Culebra, Digits, Be Ooo Ba, You Stepped Out of a Dream
– Jeff Krow
