Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth at AXPONA 2015
May
- Artist: Oliver Nelson
- Album: Blues and the Abstract Truth
- Label: Impulse!
- Release Date: August 1961
- Genre: Jazz
- Formats: CD, LP, SACD
I bought the DSD download of the Blues and the Abstract Truth album a couple of years ago and have been mesmerized by the all-time classic, “Stolen Moments”. Recorded over fifty years ago in 1961, this piece is a timeless beauty. Its indisputable beauty shines through in a three-part horn harmony fronting Freddie Hubbard’s lead trumpet melody.
At AXPONA, George Vatchnadze, Kyomi Audio, whipped out the 45RPM LP and spun “Hoedown” – which is quite different from the rest of the album in that it has a joyful, country flavour; I love the barking of the horns from the different speakers in a call & response. The music is infectious and makes the listener sit up & pay attention.
Blues and the Abstract Truth is Oliver Nelson’s triumph as a musician & composer for not only defining the sound of an era but also for assembling one of the most potent modern jazz sextets ever. Oliver Nelson, while a fine tenor sax player in his own right, is surrounded by extraordinary talent of Bill Evans (piano), Roy Haynes (drums), Eric Dolphy (flute & alto sax), Paul Chambers (bass) & Freddie Hubbard (trumpet).
Like Brubeck’s Time Out, Adderley’s Somethin’ Else and a handful of other jazz albums, Blues and the Abstract Truth will stand the test of time as one of the top dozen jazz albums from the fifties & sixties. Sound & Music quality – 10/10. Available on CD, SACD, LP or DSD download.
“Stolen Moments” is an all-time favorite. I remember “sneaking” in to the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles with a fake ID when I was 19 years old to hear Oliver Nelson and his band. I was a young jazz fan and was mesmerized to be up close to the guy whose “Blues and the Abstract Truth” album I’d played nearly half to death on my RCA portable record player. Nelson and his band played a great set, but to my disappointment, did not play “Stolen Moments,” and they hadn’t planned to, as their gig was clearly over. From the fairly sedate crowd, I jumped up and hollered out my request. Nelson looked in my direction, said something like “play it for the young man,” and let it rip. I’ve always felt he played it for me, and I was one of the last to hear it. Oliver Nelson died the following day.
Philip ~ this is one of my all-time favorite records! Everyone should experience it.
Robert’s story is amazing. Thank you for sharing that.