Joe Henderson In 'N Out CD

This progressive session from Joe Henderson is a quintessential mid-'60s Blue Note disc. Although a great deal of attention has been placed on the significance of the work of Miles Davis and John Coltrane at that time, Henderson was one of the leaders in the '60s scene that forged new ground into adventurous areas of jazz. The saxophonist plays sharply with a highly rhythmic style that swings and strides through the modally oriented material of stellar tracks like the blazing title cut, "Punjab," and the funky mambo "Short Story." Joining Henderson on the session are Kenny Dorham, McCoy Tyner, Richard Davis, and Elvin Jones, the last of whom drives the proceedings like a madman in one of his best non-Coltrane performances. Also included is "Serenity," one of Henderson's best-crafted melodies and an additional take of the dynamic title track.

Joe Henderson's third Blue Note release (which is reissued here on CD along with the addition of a previously unissued version of the title cut) matches the very distinctive tenor with the veteran trumpeter Kenny Dorham and an unbeatable rhythm section: pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Richard Davis and drummer Elvin Jones. Henderson, who has always had the ability to make a routine bop piece sound complex and the most complicated free improvisation seem logical, and Dorham provided all of the material and the music still sounds fresh over three decades later. [The 2004 Rudy Van Gelder Edition does not contain any bonus material -- other than the alternate take of the title cut which was on previous CD issues. It does, however, feature wonderfully remastered sound in 24-bit resolution transferred from the original, two-track analog tapes.]~ Scott Yanow

Additional Tracks

Liner Note Authors: Don Heckman; Bob Blumenthal.

Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (04/10/1964).

Photographer: Francis Wolff.

Personnel: Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Joe Henderson; Richard Davis (double bass); Kenny Dorham (trumpet); McCoy Tyner (piano); Elvin Jones (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Rudy Van Gelder.

Down Beat (12/94, p.60) - 5 Stars - Excellent - "...Henderson has total control over a sleek yet burly tone through spontaneous elaboration, fragmentation, and exhortation; he bespeaks vast rhythmic range and deep internal drive..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.128) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[S]uch was the power and profundity of Joe's music in this period it's still essential..."