Ammons Unhurried, Swinging Late Into the Night
Gene Ammons is the main star throughout, soaking every tune in soul and swing.
Late Hour Special gathers sessions Gene Ammons recorded in 1961 and 1962 and released on Prestige in 1964. By then Ammons was well established as one of the big, warm-toned tenor saxophonists of the hard bop era, and this record shows him in comfortable form rather than reaching for anything new. It is a collection, not a single concept, so the mood shifts a little from track to track, but the through-line is his playing.
What you hear is Ammons swinging with a full, round sound and a relaxed sense of time. He does not rush. Allmusic reviewer Scott Yanow said he infuses each tune with soul and swing, and that holds up: the solos feel unforced and the phrasing is patient. The lineup varies across the sessions, with George Duvivier and Wendell Marshall on bass and a rotation of pianists, but Ammons is the reason to press play.
Where does it sit in his catalogue? This is not the place to start, and it is not one of his defining statements. It is a solid, enjoyable record for listeners who already like his work and want more of it. Yanow's one complaint is the running time, about 35 and a half minutes, which is short for an LP. Still, if you want an evening of confident, good-humored tenor playing, it delivers.
Who's playing
George Duvivierdouble bass
Wendell Marshalldouble bass
Patti Bownpiano
Richard Wyandspiano
Gene Ammonstenor saxophone
Bob Ashtonbaritone saxophone
George Barrowtenor saxophone
Red Hollowaytenor saxophone
Oliver Nelsonalto saxophone
Hobart Dotsontrumpet
Walter Perkinsdrums
Bill Englishdrums
Ray Barrettocongas
Where next?
More by Gene Ammons
Boss Tenor 1960
Bad! Bossa Nova 1962
Jammin' With Gene 1956
Boss Tenors: Straight Ahead from Chicago August 1961 1962
The musicians on this record
The Blues and the Abstract Truth 1961
Oliver Nelson
plays alto saxophone here
plays alto saxophone here
♫
Cookin' Together 1972
Red Holloway
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
