The Big Beat

by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Art Blakey

Overview

Perhaps the best known and most loved of Art Blakey's works, The Big Beat is a testament to the creative progress of one of the best jazz drummers of all time. Now over 40 years old, The Big Beat is as thunderous as ever. Here, Blakey combines his rhythm with tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter's brilliant composing to make what could only be termed a "structurally raw" album. Each track rips through bebop as quickly as Blakey ripped through drum heads. "Dat Dere" and "Lester Left Town" stand out as part of the true canons for hot jazz. Two alternate versions of "It's Only a Paper Moon" round out the album, both brimming with the fluid integrity of the song and the drive only Blakey could provide. As one of the few drummers to step out and lead, not just play backup, Blakey created a true jazz treasure in The Big Beat. ~ Christopher Fielder

Product Details

Release Date:	01/21/2014
Label:	Audio Wave / Blue Note
UPC:	0693692200201
Rank:	65992

Tracks

1. The Chess Players
2. Sakeena's Vision
3. Politely
4. Dat Dere
5. Lester Left Town
6. It's Only a Paper Moon
7. It's Only a Paper Moon

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Art Blakey   Primary Artist,Drums
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers   Primary Artist
Lee Morgan   Trumpet
Wayne Shorter   Sax (Tenor)
Jymie Merritt   Bass
Bobby Timmons   Piano

Technical Credits

Art Blakey   Composer,Performer
Harold Arlen   Composer
Bill Hardman   Composer
Billy Rose   Composer,Composer
Francis Wolff   Cover Photo
Wayne Shorter   Composer
Ron McMaster   Digital Transfers
Rudy Van Gelder   Engineer
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers   Performer
Alfred Lion   Producer
Bobby Timmons   Composer
Reid Miles   Cover Design
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg   Composer
Nat Hentoff   Liner Notes