Art Blakey and Jazz Messengers - Live at Village Vanguard

Rating:
Summary: Live at Village Vanguard, 1982
Review: First set:

Art Blakey (drums), Wynton Marsalis (trumpet), Bradford Marsalis (alto sax), Billy Pierce (Tenor sax), Donald Brown (piano) and Charles Fambrough (bass).

This first set has only 3 tunes. Fuller Love, Miz B.C, and My Ship. It was recorded on analog tape for TV so both the video and audio quality are poor. If you want a hi-fi 5.1 surround sound, forgeit. This is a historical recording and is intended for jazz fans only.

In 1982, Wynton Marsalis was the musical director of the Jazz Messengers. The performance is good, but the solos are not gems.

Second set:
Johnny Griffin Live at Village Vanguard

This is another gig featuring the Johnny Griffin Quartet. I guess the authors of this DVD included this set because the first set (with Blakey) was too short.

Sound quality is better because Griffin's sax was better equalized. Performance is great. This set has 3 tunes: Blues for Gonzi, A Monk's Dream, and 56.

Village Vanguard is so small, I wonder where they put the cameras.

If you are a true jazz fan you should buy this DVD.