Johnny Griffin The Kerry Dancers And Other Swinging Folk on 180g 45RPM 2LP

A musician with a penchant for variety and surprise, Johnny Griffin has provided plenty of both through his long career. This 1961 quartet album found the master tenor saxophonist exploring the possibilities in four familiar folk songs, three original compositions and the standard song, “Hush-a-Bye,” based on a classical piece. To all of them Griffin applied his magisterial tone, vital imagination and ability to extract the greatest meaning from any harmonic structure.

His companions in the adventure were Barry Harris, who was virtually the Riverside Records house pianist during this period; Ron Carter, a bassist of steadily increasing importance; and Ben Riley, then working with Sonny Rollins and soon to become Thelonious Monk’s drummer. It is unlikely that any group of Scottish singers ever performed “Green Grow the Rushes” with energy like Griffin’s.

Johnny Griffin The Kerry Dancers And Other Swinging Folk Track Listing:

1.  The Kerry Dancers
2.  Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair
3.  Green Grow The Rushes
4.  The Londonderry Air
5.  24 1/2 Daze
6.  Oh, Now I See
7.  Hush-A-Bye
8.  Ballad for Monsieur