Au Chat Qui Peche

Au Chat Qui Peche Artist: Donald Byrd Quartet
Label: Fresh Sounds Records
Category: Music



Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Format: Limited Edition
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1
EAN: 8427328603881
ASIN: B0009SOIS8


Release Date: 2005-07-05

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Tracks:

  1. All the Things You Are - Donald Byrd, Donald Byrd, Bobby Jaspar
  2. It Might as Well Be Spring - Donald Byrd, Donald Byrd
  3. Parisian Thorough Fare - Donald Byrd, Donald Byrd, Bobby Jaspar
  4. My Funny Valentine - Donald Byrd, Donald Byrd
  5. Off Minor/Intro/Well You Needn't/Salt Peanuts - Donald Byrd, Donald Byrd, Bobby Jaspar
  6. Down - Donald Byrd, Donald Byrd
  7. All This Time - Donald Byrd, Donald Byrd
  8. Stella by Starlight - Donald Byrd, Donald Byrd
  9. 52nd Street Theme - Donald Byrd, Donald Byrd

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Hangin' out on the Left Bank.......2006-07-13

This item, which has been available in Europe for five or more years, has made its way Stateside for 2006. It's an engaging documentation of the Donald Byrd Quartet's extended stay during the fall of 1958 at the renowned if bare bones Left Bank bistro, Au Chat Qui Peche. A formal concert album also resulted from this engagement--"Donald Byrd in Paris"--but this club date is more representative of these emerging players as spontaneous, straightahead, blowing musicians. The audio is far from perfect, but the lifelike ambience easily makes up for a few inaudible notes. Byrd is definitely in command, but Bobby Jaspar, then the husband of Blossom Dearie, is a worthy frontline companion on flute as well as tenor. The rhythm section consists of Bud Powell's "twin," Walter Davis (playing a godawful piano), along with the impeccable, unflappable Doug Watkins on bass and the powerful Art Taylor on drums.

When I caught the group on this occasion, the acoustics were far too "live" to be able to handle Taylor's robust playing style, which dominated all sounds in the room. At least on the recording I can appreciate Walter Davis' growth as a pianist as well as the bass lines of Watkins, which I find more of a joy to listen to than most current bass players' virtuosic toccata-style solos.

My favorite moment occurs during Watkins' walking bass solo on the rapid "52nd Street Theme," during which all of the musicians except Byrd lose their place. I guess that's why this former Detroit preacher's kid and future Ph. D. was leader of this pack of talented tigers.

Not a momentous occasion, perhaps, but I can't imagine anyone associated with this moment not being willing to give anything to relive it--Arcady in Paris. (I'm surprised I didn't run into Henry Miller or Anais Nin.)

Music CD:

  1. Jazz 'Round Midnight: Piano ~ Various Artists
  2. Martial Solal ~ Martial Solal
  3. Cycles ~ Gene Lake
  4. Acoustic Environment
  5. Tropea ~ John Tropea
  6. Off to the Races ~ Donald Byrd
  7. My Own Twist ~ Lisa Lauren
  8. Hodes' Art ~ Art Hodes
  9. At the Hurricane 1943 ~ Duke Ellington
  10. Ride The Night Beast ~ Ladd McIntosh Big Band

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Dip Baby Dip ~ Breakdown

Ultimate Collection ~ Gino Vannelli

My Favorite Song Writers ~ Various Artists

Life on 2 Legs ~ Phil Bair

The Psycho Realm ~ The Psycho Realm

One More Time ~ Randy Greco

Best of the Bootlegs ~ Lake & Powell Emerson

International ~ Mister Tangaray

Up Close and Personal ~ Angie Martinez

I'll Do 4 U ~ Father MC