(Artists: James Moody, tenor sax; Frank Wess, tenor sax, flute; Jimmy Owens, trumpet; John Mosca, trombone; Benny Golson, tenor sax; Eddie Daniels, clarinet, tenor sax; Hank Jones, piano; Richard Davis, bass; Kenny Washington, drums)
After the 2004 release of One More, the all-star tribute to Thad Jones, which met with such critical acclaim from both jazz reviewers and hard core fans, it was exciting news when the sequel, recorded in June 2005, was announced to the public as releasing in 2006. The only changes in personnel were to be the addition of Eddie Daniels on clarinet and sax. Replacing trombonist Bob Brookmeyer was John Mosca and subbing for Mickey Roker on drums would be Kenny Washington.
The question was could this new issue on IPO either equal or top Vol. 1? Well, the answer is, as with most sequels, that Vol. 2 cannot quite match the original in both performance and song selection. That’s not to say that Vol. 2 is not worth acquiring, it’s just that don’t expect the fireworks that the first issue provided. You could also say that it might have been too much to ask for “Thad Two” to top the brilliance of “Thad One.”
However, when you have a super band of this proportion, their class pops out enough to blow away the competition on most other mainstream jazz issues. The CD opens with newcomers Eddie Daniels and John Mosca getting opening solos on Little Pixie. Not to be left out for solo space is Jimmy Owens, who still has strong trumpet chops, when the trumpet may be the hardest instrument for a veteran player to continue to master into his golden years.
Don’t Leave Me is a feature for octogenarian Frank Wess on flute, and this tune is given a bossa/tango reading. The only non-Thad composition is Jerome Richardson’s Groove Merchant, but the tune is played with a Thad Jones chart and it provides solo space for several of the band members. By far, the longest track on the CD at 11:25 is Thad’s tribute to Louis Armstrong, The Great One. It’s taken in a soulful manner with Golson and Owens blowing in a sensuous manner and brother Hank, always impeccable, having two solos of his own. My three favorite tracks are the gospel blues of Rejoice; the ensemble piece, Three and One, and the closing track, The Summary, which has such serene beauty that it almost gives enough reason itself to add this CD to the Thad Jones section of your collection. Just make sure to have the previous, Vol. 1 – One More, on the same shelf.
Tracklist: Little Pixie, Let’s, Don‚t Ever Leave Me, Groove Merchant, Birdsong, The Great One, Central Park North (Interlude), Rejoice, Three and One, The Summary
– Jeff Krow
