Red Garland: Red Garland Revisited!

Prestige Records released Red Garland Revisited in 1969. However, Rudy Van Gelder recorded the eight selections comprising the album 12 years earlier at his Hackensack, New Jersey studio. Using bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor as his rhythm section, adding guitarist Kenny Burrell on two pieces—Miles Davis's "Four" and "Walkin.'" Recorded May 24, 1957, this session took place during a busy period for Garland, between a date for trombonist Curtis Fuller on May 14 resulting in Curtis Fuller with Red Garland (New Jazz, 1963) and one for John Coltrane's May 31 date that afforded the tenor saxophonist's debut recording, Coltrane (Prestige, 1957).

Garland's repertoire and performance were typical of the period. He was equally capable of the up-tempo hard bop as he was with the standard ballad. He populated Revisited with both. Garland was a year past Davis' famous marathon recording date for Prestige that resulted in Relaxin,', Steamin', Workin' and Cookin' and that material informed his trio dates thereafter. The trio takes the traditional "Billy Boy" at a leisurely to fast clip, Garland punctuating the harmonic structure with his trademark block chords. His ballad bons fides are secure with "Everybody's Somebody's Fool." Chambers solos on both with his characteristically fine approach and timekeeping.

"Four" marks the first of two appearances by Burrell, whose presence tempers the pieces without cutting the funk. On "Walkin'"—that superb blues first released by the Miles Davis All Stars on his notable recording of the same title (Prestige, 1954)—Burrell's bell-like tone melds well with Garland's double fisted chording. Burrell's blues sense is certain and elegant, almost conversational. Garland is unsurpassed as a blues pianist with a volatile swing. The remaining tunes are ballads led by the beautifully slow "(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over." The trio closes things with an orchestral "It Could Happen to You." Garland was always reliable in releasing music that could be used to define jazz.

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