Don Grolnick Quintet : 7th Ave South, NYC 12.12.1984
Don Grolnick : Keyboards
Michael Brecker : Tenor saxophone
Will Lee : Electric bass
Hiram Bullock : Electric guitar
Peter Erskine : Drums
This session has a strange sound to it…it was the ‘80′ after all and it’s not that it’s fluffy or hissy or anything it’s just….very ’80’s sounding. I haven’t listened to this in years and I was astonished at Brecker’s playing on it at times. We’ve all heard him sounding incredible so often but this is something else. Maybe he turned it on whenever he played at his own place! I still find it hard to think that I won’t hear either Michael or Don again this year. Their gigs were always highlights of the entire year for me and I’m sure for you also. This show is a wonderful reminder of these two giants back when the world was young and there were still seemingly endless recordings for them to make.
March 22, 2008 at 2:10 am
Oh my god, listen to Brecker work out with Peter Erskine on track #3! He always was so great at playing directly with the drummer. Reminds me of how he’d connect with Jack DeJohnette. Smokin.
You’re right about the 80s thing. Hard to believe some of this stuff was done with a straight face . . .
March 28, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Thanks for posting this great music …
would love to take the credit for these Grolnick performances, but I think it might be Steve Jordan playing on these tracks …!
All best,
Peter Erskine
p.s. Grolnick/Brecker fans might want to check out the “London Concert” CD on Fuzzy Music … wonderful music, great playing by all, and the proceeds go towards lymphoma research. Thanks ~
March 30, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Thanks a lot for the recording! I love all the Don Grolnick stuff with Mike Brecker and all the other great guys.
I am not really in the position to correct Peter Erskin…but Don introduces the band at the end of track 5 (which is Act Natural) and says: “playing drums: Peter Erskin”.
To Peter: many thanks for the hint to the “London Concert”. I am probably going to check that out.