Mustang

This jaunty release from Donald Byrd features some excellent saxophone work from both Hank Mobley (tenor) and Sonny Red (alto). McCoy Tyner contributes rollicking piano lines for Byrd, Mobley, and Sonny to soar over, ably supported by the bass/drums combination of Walter Booker and Freddie Waits. The title track, written by Sonny Red, is a fast paced, bluesy number, featuring unison horns and tasteful soloing. The Byrd compositions "Dixie Lee", "Fly Little Bird Fly", and "I'm So Excited By You" are all excellent pieces. Mobley in particular is lyrical and concise on the six pieces he participates in. The final two cuts finds Joe Chambers replacing Freddie Waits on drums and Jimmy Heath playing tenor sax. "Gingerbread Boy" written by Heath is an excellent boppish piece, while this group's version of "I'm So Excited By You" is pleasing, but not as dynamic as the one earlier on the album. A very good addition to any jazz library, particularly for fans of Mobley, Byrd, or Sonny Red.

Don't knock it if you have not heard this CD. Just hearing, I got it bad and that ain't good a very good ballad. I say go for it if you're Donald Byrd fan... E.Ruiz

For years I searched for Miles Davis playing 'On the Trail'to no avail. Why? Because he never made a version of it. But it was in my mind and at someone's house years ago I had heard it and loved it. I googled 'On the Trail' as a title and up came came with Donald Byrd. Of course, that was what I had heard all that time ago. I love the melody, it is so evocative of the West and maybe riding a pinto along a dusty trail . I have an Orchestral version of the Grofe composition but love the Donald Byrd version more. It is a tune that stays in your head. The rest of the album is great, but track 2, side 2 does it for me.

Great be bop music. Classic jazz. Donald Byrd a favorite.This is a good CD to add to your jazz classics library.