Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue (1963)

First off, that is a fantastic album cover. Masterfully designed - like most Blue Note covers of the '60s - by Reid Miles.

This might be called "bluesy jazz" or it might be called "jazzy blues" or it might be both. Regardless, Midnight Blue is a great, relaxing album whether it is midnight or midday. True to the genre but very accessible. Possibly a great starting point for your personal Blue Note discovery adventure?

Original liner notes by Leonard Feather.

Burrell - guitar
Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone
Major Holley, Jr. - bass
Bill English - drums
Ray Barretto - conga

I've found this album to be a great pairing with Grant Green's Idle Moments album, also recorded for Blue Note in 1963.

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "A standout showing"
• Billboard: "This is a vibrant set"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★★
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★½

NPR included the album in its "Basic Jazz Library" where it is described as "the perfect 'late night, neon light flashing outside of the window, cigarette smoke swirling up into nothing' record." In 1987, this album was selected by Blue Note as one of the 25 Best Albums on the label.

Update: In 2024, uDiscover Music ranked this album at #16 on its list of The 50 Greatest Blue Note Albums.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: It's easy to see why they chose to release Chitlins Con Carne as the single since it's a slinky blues number on which both Burrell and Turrentine shine. Mule is a slow-burning blues followed by a brief, melodic interlude titled Soul Lament. The title track has a gentle swing to it and that's as hard as the groove gets on this record. Wavy Gravy is lilting waltz with an odd fade-out. A tasty cover of the 1929 standard Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You, might feature Burrell's best work on the whole dang album. The album ends with Saturday Night Blues, which is as advertised by the title - sounds like any jazz club on a Saturday where the band leader just calls out a key ("blues in F") and off they go. Turrentine certainly makes the most of his opportunities.

This 1999 Rudy Van Gelder Edition concludes with two bonus tracks which were recorded on the same day as the others - Tuesday, January 8, 1963. The first, Kenny's Sound, has a quick tempo and isn't blues-based, so it might seem out of place on the album proper. Great cut, though. The other, K Twist, would have fit nicely so I can't figure why it was excluded.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. 

Blog post #1750