Don Wilkerson - The Complete Blue Note Sessions '2001

Tracks list

Tracklist

Disc: 1 

 1. Jeanie-Weanie 
 2. Homesick Blues 
 3. Dem Tambourines 
 4. Camp Meetin 
 5. The Eldorado Shuffle 
 6. Pigeon Peas 
 7. Senorita Eula 
 8. San Antonio Rose 
 9. Scrappy 

Disc: 2 

 1. Lone Star Shuffle 
 2. Drawin A Tip 
 3. Poor Butterfly 
 4. Movin Out 
 5. Cookin With Clarence 
 6. Easy Living 
 7. Happy Johnny 
 8. Blues For J 
 9. Sweet Cake

Don Wilkerson was a saxophonist in the mold of Gene Ammons and Willis Jackson, a
big-toned, booting Texas tenor player who mixed blues, swing, and bop into a
joyous, soulful brew. A mainstay of Ray Charless band, he contributed tenor
solos to hits such as I Got a Woman but never achieved the enduring fame of
band-mate David Newman. He recorded three sessions for Blue Note in 1962 and
1963, all collected on this two-CD set. Its classic soul jazz, riff-based and
driving, with Wilkerson touching on a variety of bases, from bar-walking
roadhouse shuffles to the rolling gospel of Camp Meeting and some gorgeous
sweet-toned balladry on Poor Butterfly and Easy Living. Guitarist Grant Green is
present on all three sessions, playing with a grittier edge than usual, and
there are strong contributions from other Blue Note regulars as well. Hard-bop
pianist Sonny Clark and drummer Billy Higgins take some real delight in getting
back to basics on the first session, while organist John Patton lays down a
carpet of sounds both sanctified and funky on the third. The second session,
with drummer Willie Bobo, has Wilkerson touching on the Latin and western sides
of his Texas background, even mixing them together on Bob Willss San Antonio
Rose. --Stuart Broomer

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