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After sideman appearances with pianist Horace Parlan in the early 1960s, Booker Ervin recorded two outstanding Blue Note records as a leader in 1968, including Tex Book Tenor, whose first independent release was almost 40 years in the making until it appeared in 2005. With an elegant post-bop quintet consisting of trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Jan Arnet and drummer Billy Higgins, the Texas-born saxophonist plays through a series of compelling originals by the band members, including Barron’s sinuous tune “Gichi” and Shaw’s lilting waltz “In a Capricornian Way”, as well as Ervin’s lovely ballad “Lynn’s Tune” and the hard swinging “Den Tex”, named after his hometown of Denison. Reviews G. Filtgen in Jazzthing 2-3/06: “The tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin became known for his gripping playing in Charles Mingus’ groups. His own records are at least as convincing and, like ‘Tex Book Tenor’, are of astonishing variety.” Booker Ervin, who died of kidney failure in 1970 at the age of 39, was a typical Texas tenor saxophonist with a powerful sound and a phrasing characterized by blues and gospel. Shortly before his untimely death in 1968, he recorded his only two albums for Blue Note, which are among the best of his entire career. “Tex Book Tenor” is a prime example of Ervin’s gripping tenor playing, which he is able to show off brilliantly here in his own originals and pieces by his fellow musicians Kenny Barron and Woody Shaw. Blue Note Tone Poet Edition: Stereo, produced by Joe Harley, completely analog mastered by Kevin Gray from the original tapes, RTI pressing (180g), sturdy tip-on single sleeve, padded inner sleeve. |
