Redd, Freddie – Shades of Redd

Description

New Vinyl Record – Redd, Freddie – Shades of Redd (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)

The underrated hard bop pianist and composer Freddie Redd first gained a degree of prominence as the composer of the remarkable score for the acclaimed stage playThe Connection, in which he also appeared as an actor playing the role of a jazz pianist. Redd’s 1960 Blue Note debut was a recording ofThe Music from ‘The Connection’and he would continue to display his compositional prowess on his next date,Shades of Redd, recorded later that year with a quintet featuringJackie McLeanon alto saxophone,Tina Brookson tenor saxophone,Paul Chamberson bass, andLouis Hayeson drums. A set of six Redd originals, the album begins with the dramatic opener “The Thespian,” which starts with a slow, brooding melody before breaking into a full gallop. Other highlights include the swaggering “Blues-Blues-Blues” and the twilit ballad “Shadows.”

1. Thespian
2. Blues-Blues-Blues
3. Shadows
4. Melanie
5. Swift
6. Just a Ballad for My Baby
7. Ole