Grachan Moncur III

[Jazzrook]

Underrated?
His 1963 album 'Evolution' is a neglected BLUE NOTE classic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWWLwis9dq8

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

many thanks for the prompt Jazzrook, much enjoyed the Evolution track and found this, which is striking [imv]

and also much to enjoy in his work with Archie Shepp amongst others

[Serial_Apologist]

Great stuff - I think "Evolution" was an introduction to Tony Williams's remarkable drumming for some of us at that time, before we heard him with Miles - thanks to the two of you!

The forename is pronounced "Grayshan", and the stress on the first syllable of the surname, I understand.

[Byas'd Opinion]

I first came across him because he plays on, and wrote much of the material for, Jackie McLean's mid-60s classics Destination Out! and One Step Beyond (which in another odd Two-tone link has a tune called "Ghost Town" on it).

He's also very impressive on Frank Lowe's Decision in Paradise from a couple of decades later:



His father, Grachan Moncur II, was a reasonably well-known swing era bass player, wasn't he?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

yep pops could well be on this

[Serial_Apologist]

yep

[Jazzrook]

https://www.grachanmoncur.com

[geofflikesmusic]

I'm a big fan too.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

I always thought Lee Morgan played wonderfully on "Evolution", way out of his zone, but always Lee.

BN.

[Tenor Freak]

"Evolution" is brilliant.

"Monk in Wonderland" is the standout for me. An evil-sounding head, it's no joke switching back and forth between 4/4 and 3/4 like that.

I "recommended" it to a trombone-playing friend who loves it.

I have "Some Other Stuff" somewhere but haven't listened to it for quite a while.

[Tenor Freak]

Another highlight for me is Hutch's superb comping. I wish he'd worked more with pianoless groups.

[Serial_Apologist]

Apart from the pink cover I too love this album. A forerunner in so many ways of Out to Lunch, recorded within a year of it. Does anyone else find Jackie's tuning's a bit sharp?

[Tenor Freak]

Jackie's always ready to pour vintage paint-stripper down yer ears, but he does sound particularly astringent on this one.

[Serial_Apologist]

Strange - my copy of the vinyl says Bob Cranshaw on the front

[Serial_Apologist]

... with an "a", not an "e"...