R.s.grey

Trombonist Al Grey is joined by emerging young tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell on this pair of 1962 sessions, which were originally issued as an Argo LP and finally reissued on a limited-edition CD by Verve in 2003. The first five tracks also feature trumpeter Dave Burns and obscure pianist Floyd Morris. "Nothing But the Truth" is smoldering up-tempo blues with a bit of a gospel flavor, while Morris gets into the groove of the mid-tempo "Three-Fourth Blues." Mitchell especially shines on Melba Liston's soulful ballad "Just Waiting." The three tracks from the earlier session feature Donald Byrd on trumpet and Herbie Hancock on piano. Also here is the slashing hard bop composition "Minor on Top." Another Liston piece, "African Lady," is complex and showcases Grey's sensitive solo.

The way Grey and band combine their loosely played (not sloppy) roots meld of Southern R&B, country, blues, gospel, and muddy pop has a way of gaining in intensity, whether they are playing vintage tunes or newer ones; it's instictive, not something you can rehearse. Grey's voice is much grittier live than on records, it is a catalyst for the band to build upon and they do so whenever presented with the opportunity. The Brighter Days film was by Spookie Daly. The multi-camera concert footage is spontaneous, capturing the band in full-on, sweat-streaked glory, feeding off the crowd and passing good vibes back to them. The audio CD doesn't come off quite as well. Perhaps it's the lack of between-song banter, or that seeing a band play numerous choruses of a particular tune translates better in visual rather than the aural mediums…