Grant Green: I Want To Hold Your Hand

Douglas Payne

Contributor since 1999

Doug has produced CDs for such artists as Peter Thomas, Lalo Schifrin, Ennio Morricone and Cal Tjader.

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Published: November 1, 1997

The title of this March 1965 session doesn't exactly inspire thoughts of collective interplay. And, sure enough, the music within is dreadfully dull. The third of four collaborations between guitarist Grant Green and organist Larry Young, I Want To Hold Your Hand, was also the last Blue Note record the guitarist made until 1969's Carryin' On (which initiated a three-year spate of rather dull pop-funk). The arrangements are bland at best; ignited only by the inventive cues drummer Elvin Jones interjects. Young, a helluva more brilliant player than this disc allows, comps rather methodically like a hack-pianist in a lounge bar. Hank Mobley sounds positively somnambulant. And Green, who solos meaningfully enough, only comes to life on hi s solos for the standards "Speak Low, " "Stella By Starlight," "At Long Last Love" and Steve Allen's corny "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big." Everyone here has sounded more interesting (and alive) elsewhere. Perhaps Blue Note w ill consider issuing the far more interesting Green-Young collaborations Talkin About (1964) or Street of Dreams (1964). Listeners may want, instead, to check out the more interesting His Majesty King Funk (1965), recorded a mere two months later for Verve, for evidence of how good organist Larry Young and guitarist Grant Green sounded together.

Tracks: Corcovado (Quiet Nights); At Long Last Love; Speak Low; This Could Be The start Of Something Big; I Want To Hold Your Hand; Stella By Starlight.

Players: Hank Mobley (tenor sax); Larry Young (organ); Grant Green (guitar); Elvin Jones (drums).

Record Label: Blue Note Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream