angel eyes

Gene Ammons's tenor saxophone playing had swagger and power, tenderness and romantic passion. Those contrasting aspects of his artistry melded into a style that made him a favorite of jazz listeners even through long periods when they could hear him only on records. One of the great melody players, Ammons was also a master of rhythmic urgency. In this collection he puts his unmistakable stamp on several standards and a Frank Wess composition. He is abetted on four of the tracks by flutist and tenor saxophonist Wess, organist Johnny "Hammond" Smith, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Arthur Taylor. Ammons and Wess have a spirited tenor exchange on the Ammons composition "Water Jug." In two sensitive ballad performances, the rhythm section is pianist Mal Waldron, with Wendell Marshall on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums. Gettin' Around, Blue Room, You Go to My Head, Angel Eyes, Water Jug, It's the Talk of the Town with Frank Wess, Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Mal Waldron, Doug Watkins, Wendell Marshall, Arthur Taylor, Ed Thigpen