Rockin' Hammond - Milt Buckner

 

Mighty Low

Rockin' Hammond

Milt Buckner

Recorded February and March, 1956, in New York City

Capitol Records T722

Milt Buckner - Organ, Piano

Mickey Baker & Everett Barksdale alternating on Guitar

Milt Hinton - Bass

Osie Johnson & Shadow Wilson alternating on Drums

From the back cover: This album features Milt Buckner at his swinging best. Backed by a powerful, driving rhythm section, he rocks the Hammond in dynamic fashion. And for added spice, there are occasional bits of the distinctive Buckner piano style. The moods vary from slow blues to up-tempo "screamers"; at either extreme, of in between, the music sounds just like the good jazz it is.

Proper training and hard work give a musician the skill he seeks, the kind Milt Buckner unquestionably has. But the jazz "beat" is something else; no amount of study can instill it. And here Milt is one of the fortunate ones. He was born with a beat, and he's been swinging since the day he was born.

This album's performances are ample evidence of the versatile Buckner talent. Count's Basement, One O'Clock Jump, The Late, Late Show, and Jumpin' At The Woodside showcase Milt's one-man-ensemble organ style, with light piano embroidery in the Basie vein. Blue And Sentimental recalls the late Herschel Evans' flair for relaxed and irrepressible noodling. On the frantic Wild Scene Milt again alternates between organ and piano, and the tunes winds up with a big, swinging bash. We'll Be Together Again, Deep Purple, and When You Wish Upon A Star combine melodic charm and a solid beat. Mighty Low and The Beast are slow and sensuous, displaying Milt's great feeling for the blues, and Jumpin' At The Zanzibar is a free-wheeling number that highlights his amazing keyboard facility.

So here is music that really swings, music that exploits the full jazz potential of the organ, giving Milt Buckner a better than usual chance to demonstrate his extraordinary technical and creative skills at the Hammond.

Count's Basement

Mighty Low

We'll Be Together Again

Jumpin' At The Woodside

The Beast

One O'Clock Jump

Wild Scene

Blue And Sentimental

Deep Purple

Jumpin' At The Zanzibar

When You Wish Upon A Star

The Late, Late Show