DON BYAS / HOWARD MCGHEE / JAMES MOODY - Bebop (2001) Jazz In Paris 72 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Four different groups are heard on this compilation from the Jazz in Paris series. Although all groups were promoted as bop-oriented when they were overseas, the only bona fide bop musicians on the first two sessions are tenor saxophonist Don Byas and pianist Billy Taylor. The first date is jointly credited to Byas and trombonist Tyree Glenn (known for his work with Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong); Glenn is an effective soloist, even though he's firmly a swinger at heart. But it is Byas' big-toned solos that stand out, especially in Dizzy Gillespie's "Dynamo A" (also known as "Dizzy Atmosphere"), along with the effective comping and solos of the relative youngster Billy Taylor, who also contributed "Mad Monk." Trumpeter Howard McGhee leads a sextet, featuring alto saxophonist Jimmy Heath and bassist Percy Heath, sticking primarily to the leader's compositions. McGhee's writing is insignificant (especially when compared to Jimmy Heath's output over the decades which followed); better are the interpretations of Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee" and Tadd Dameron's loping "Big Will." The last four tracks feature tenor saxophonist James Moody, with Byas, trombonist Nat Peck, and pianist Bernard Peiffer along for the ride. Only one is a Moody original, but in spite of the strong performances, the lousy work of the session's engineer produced consistently overmodulated recordings. The musicians deserved better. by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1    Don Byas–    Mad Monk 2:40
Written-By – Billy Taylor
2    Don Byas–    Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone 2:38
Written-By – Sam H. Stept, Sidney Clare
3    Don Byas–    The Hour Of Parting 3:24
Written-By – Gus Kahn, Micha Spoliansky
4    Don Byas–    I Can't Get Started 2:39
Written-By – Ira Gershwin, Vernon Duke
5    Don Byas–    Billie's Bounce 2:53
Written-By – Charlie Parker
6    Don Byas–    I Surrender, Dear 3:14
Written-By – Gordon Clifford, Harry Barris
7    Don Byas–    Walking Around 2:51
Written-By – Don Byas
8    Don Byas–    How High The Moon 2:39
Written-By – Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton
9    Don Byas–    Red Cross 2:47
Written-By – Charlie Parker
10    Don Byas–    Laura 3:42
Written-By – David Raksin, Johnny Mercer
11    Don Byas–    Cement Mixer 2:52
Written-By – Slim Gaillard
12    Don Byas–    Dynamo A 3:30
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
13    Howard McGhee Sextet–    Denise 3:20
Written-By – Howard McGhee
14    Howard McGhee Sextet–    Nicole 3:28
Written-By – Howard McGhee
15    Howard McGhee Sextet–    Etoile 2:58
Written-By – Howard McGhee
16    Howard McGhee Sextet–    Punkins 3:12
Written-By – Vernon Biddle
17    Howard McGhee Sextet–    Donna Lee 3:05
Written-By – Charlie Parker
18    Howard McGhee Sextet–    Big Will 2:39
Written-By – Tadd Dameron
19    Howard McGhee Sextet–    Prelude To Nicole 3:21
Written-By – Howard McGhee
20    James Moody Quintet–    Oh Well 2:48
Written-By – James Moody
21    James Moody Quintet–    Convulsions 2:59
Written-By – Eddie Barclay
22    James Moody Quintet–    Verso 3:22
Written-By – Eddie Barclay
23    James Moody Quintet–    Recto 3:27
Written-By – Eddie Barclay
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Hubert Rostaing (faixas: 1 to 06), Jimmy Heath (faixas: 13 to 19)
Double Bass – Jean Bouchety (faixas: 1 to 12), Lucien Simoens (faixas: 20 to 23), Percy Heath (faixas: 13 to 19)
Drums – Buford Oliver (faixas: 1 to 12), Richie Frost (faixas: 20 to 23), Specs Wright (faixas: 13 to 19)
Guitar – Jean-Jacques Tilché (faixas: 1 to 12)
Photography By – Jean-Pierre Leloir, Sipa Press, Éclair Mondial
Piano – Bernard Peiffer (faixas: 20 to 23), Billy Taylor (faixas: 1 to 12), Vernon Biddle (faixas: 13 to 19)
Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas (faixas: 1 to 12, 20 to 23), James Moody (faixas: 20 to 23), Jesse Powell (2) (faixas: 13 to 19)
Trombone – Nat Peck (faixas: 20 to 23), Tyree Glenn (faixas: 1 to 12)
Trumpet – Howard McGhee (faixas: 13 to 19), Peanuts Holland (faixas: 1 to 12)
Vocals – Peanuts Holland (faixas: 11)
Nota :
Don Byas / Tyree Glenn Orchestra
01 - 06 Paris, June 13, 1947
Don Byas Ree-Boppers
07 - 12 Paris, January 27, 1947.
Reissue of the Barclay LP 80 970 (01-12)
(P) 1976 (01-12) Universal Music S.A. France.
Howard McGhee sextet
13 - 19, Paris, May 18, 1948
Reissue of the Blue Star 78rpm discs 90 (15, 16), 91 (13, 18), 112 (17, 19), 118 (14).
(P) 1948 (13-19) Universal Music S.A. France
James Moody quintet
20 - 23, Paris, July 7, 1949
Reissue of the Blue Star 78rpm discs 130 (20, 21), 131 (22, 23)
(P) 1949 (20-23) Universal Music S.A. France