Frank Morgan - Frank Morgan (1955)

Tracks

01 Bernie's Tune Leiber, Miller, Stoller 5:30
02 My Old Flame Coslow, Johnston 4:40
03 I'll Remember April DePaul, Johnston, Raye 4:20
04 Neil's Blues Morgan 5:00
05 The Champ Gillespie 4:48
06 Chooch Morgan 3:30
07 The Nearness of You Carmichael, Washington 5:10
08 Whippet Morgan 4:25
09 Milt's Tune Jackson 4:32
10 Get Happy Arlen, Koehler 3:57
11 Cresecendo Blues Sheldon 6:04
12 "Huh! " 6:32
13 Autumn Leaves Kosma, Mercer, Prevert 3:38
14 Well, You Needn't Monk 6:17
15 B.T. Timmons 3:58

Personnel

Conte Candoli Trumpet
James Clay
Wild Bill Davis Organ
Wardell Gray
Machito
Jose Mangual Latin American Rhythm
Larance Marable
Ralph Miranda Latin American Rhythm
Frank Morgan Sax (Alto), Saxophone
Ubaldo Nieto Latin American Rhythm
Carl Perkins
Howard Roberts Guitar
Bobby Rodriguez Bass
Jack Sheldon
Bobby Timmons
Leroy Vinnegar

When altoist Frank Morgan recorded his debut as a leader in 1955, he was being hyped as "the new Bird." Unfortunately, he followed in Charlie Parker's footsteps mostly by becoming an irresponsible drug addict. After 30 years passed, he cut his second album and seriously began his successful comeback. This GNP album features Morgan back at the beginning, performing four numbers with Machito's rhythm section and six other songs with a septet that also includes tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray (heard on his final recordings). Trumpeter Conte Candoli is a major asset on both of these boppish dates, while Morgan shows why he was rated so highly at this point in his career.(Scott Yanow)