At The Half Note Cafe 2

As was noted on the first volume of AT THE HALF NOTE CLUB, the running order of the show did not quite tally with the subsequent vinyl releases that appeared on the Blue Note label in 1960. Quite why the original compilers opted to re-arrange the albums is lost in the mists of time, but thankfully the whole of the show was made available over the two albums. What is revealed is one of the tightest bands Donald Byrd had ever assembled, including himself on trumpet, Pepper Adams (saxophone), Duke Pearson (piano), Laymon Jackson (bass) and Lex Humphries (drums). Particularly worthy of special mention is Duke Pearson, who wrote four of the eventual twelve tracks that appeared across the two albums. His playing too is little short of spectacular; it has been said that his soloing in the studio was somewhat stilted by comparison with the work he achieved during live dates. Of course, it is the work of Donald Byrd that will be of particular interest, and here across all four tracks he truly excels. There are several live recordings of Donald Byrd available; this and it's companion volume are undoubtedly the best of the bunch.