Night Train Revisited

• Artist: Al Grey & Jimmy Forrest
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 12, 1999
• Type: Live
• Genre: Jazz

Review

The Al Grey-Jimmy Forrest Quintet lived a short, somewhat cantankerous, though fruitful life, leaving a small legacy of some outstanding small group jazz. This recording captures the group live at the Chicago club, Rick's, in the late 1970s. Thankfully, the quality of the recording is superb, and the selections from the three-night stand fairly represent the sound and repertoire of the group. Both veterans, Grey and Forrest have rarely been as well documented on disc. The tunes are ones that both of these war horses could play in their sleep, yet there is a visceral excitement to it all that makes this recording so entertaining. Both horns stretch at length, and swing effortlessly. Al Grey sits out on "Body and Soul," while Forrest gives an emotionally charged classic rendition of the tune. The signature title piece, "Night Train," is performed with the sort of gritty down-home punch to be expected from these masters. The trombonist goes all out with his plunger on "Things What Ain't They Used to be," while "Milestones" (the Miles Davis tune) is played with a slight Latin beat. The rhythm section, especially including the talented Shirley Scott, swings solidly. Grey and Forrest have seldom sounded better, and this recording captures them at peak performance. ~ Steven Loewy, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Jumpin' the Blues	Jay McShann	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(6:37)
Truly Wonderful	Jimmy Forrest	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(5:30)
I Can't Get Started	Vernon Duke, Ira Gershwin	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(6:15)
Salty Papa	Al Grey	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(8:41)
Blues Everywhere	Shirley Scott	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(5:54)
Night Train	Jimmy Forrest, Lewis Simpkins, Oscar Washington	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(5:04)
Things Ain't What They Used to Be	Mercer Ellington, Ted Persons	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(6:45)
Body and Soul	Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(7:31)
C.B. And Me	Shirley Scott	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(4:16)
Milestones	Miles Davis	Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest Quintet	(5:00)

Credits

Anders Stefansen (Producer), Karl Emil Knudsen (Producer), John Duke (Bass), Shirley Scott (Piano), Jimmy Forrest (Sax (Tenor)), Al Grey (Trombone), Bobby Durham (Drums), Jack Sohmer (Liner Notes), Jack Sohmer (Photography)