September 16–23, 1999

disc quicks|jazz

Horace Silver

Retrospective (Box Set)
(Blue Note)

Jazz…Has…A Sense of Humor
(Verve)

For over 20 years, the bold but accessible Silver Sound — with its blend of bebop with gospel, blues and Latin music — was closely and exclusively identified with Blue Note Records. Retrospective lovingly documents this residency, starting with the pianist’s 1952 debut recording ("Safari," strongly reminiscent of Bud Powell) and continuing with highlights from subsequent albums. Although Silver’s "classic" quintet — which featured Blue Mitchell and Junior Cook and lasted from ’58 to ’64 — represents his most consistent output, there are many additional bright moments. Some of the earlier performances, like 1958’s "The Outlaw," are priceless. Likewise his mid-’60s Latin explorations, which provide roughly half the material on disc three. Less impressive are the vocal numbers from the ’70s; even diehard Andy Bey fans may cringe to hear the baritone crooning "Old Mother Nature Calls," a paean to organic food. Silver’s other efforts as a lyricist are only a slight improvement. Truthfully, Silver’s last leg at Blue Note pales in comparison to his earlier periods, and it’s unfortunate that, despite some beautiful solos by Tom Harrell, the fourth and final disc of this set fails to meet the Silver standard.

Skip ahead two decades, to a new quintet album on Verve. In trumpeter Ryan Kisor and tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene, Silver once again has a tight and tuneful frontline, capable of both pyrotechnics and soul. Most of the tunes glide along at an easy pace; "humor" is provided by Silver’s trademark melodic quotes. The showpiece of the disc is "The Mama Suite," divided into three distinct but equally compelling sections. The first, "Not Enough Mama," bears more than a passing resemblance to 1965’s uptempo cooker "Nutville," while "Too Much Mama" and "Just Right Mama" explore second-line and boogie grooves respectively. Throughout the suite, the rhythm section kicks, the horn men blow convincingly, and Silver comps with authority — proving that his career still exists in a very present tense.

—Nate Chinen