Cat Anderson - Cat Speaks - Paris, France 1977 (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions) (1977) Flac

Cat Anderson, 60 at the time of this session, was still at the height of his power at the time. Heading a quintet with fellow former Ellington member Sam Woodyard on drums plus Frenchmen Gerard Badini on tenor and clarinet, pianist Raymond Fol and bassist Michel Gaudry, Cat not only blasts out a few high notes but displays his expertise in the lower registers and with the plunger mute; he even takes a vocal on "The Cat Hums." This small group swing Lp (which has among its more memorable performances spirited renditions of "Stompy Jones" and "The Jeep Is Jumpin'") is one of Cat Anderson's finest and is well worth searching for.