BST 84281

John Patton - That Certain Feeling

Released - 1968

Recording and Session Information

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, March 8, 1968
Junior Cook, tenor sax; John Patton, organ; Jimmy Ponder, guitar; Clifford Jarvis, drums.

2052 tk.2 Daddy James
2053 tk.9 Early A.M.
2054 tk.14 Minor Swing
2055 tk.16 Dirty Fingers
2056 tk.19 I Want To Go Home
2057 tk.23 String Bean

Track Listing

Side One
Title	Author	Recording Date
String Bean	John Patton	March 8 1968
I Want to Go Home	John Patton	March 8 1968
Early A.M.	John Patton	March 8 1968
Side Two
Dirty Fingers	John Patton	March 8 1968
Minor Swing	John Patton	March 8 1968
Daddy James	Jimmy Watson	March 8 1968

Liner Notes

I IMPLORE YOU, listen to these men, individually and collectively. If you do so attentively, honestly and with open ears and mind, yours will be a richly rewarding musical experience many times over. I implore you, indeed listen to Clifford Jarvis, Jimmy Ponder, Junior Cook and John Patton.

The occasion is yet to arrive for me to see John Patton when that very positive, sober thing he has going isn't there. Somehow though, I've always suspected him of being shy. He speaks slowly, in enviably modulated tones, with an attractive sort of mid-western (Kansas City, Mo.) drawl.

His calling cord says he’s an organist, but it doesn't stop there. I don’t think it ever did. You see, John Patton ploys for keeps. He shoots straight from the heart, and if you stop to listen, that’s exactly where you’ll get hit. No need to worry though‚ it won’t hurt you, in fact, it’ll do you good, spiritually good, it’ll set fire to you, make you move, you become involved, you can’t shut it out, (you won’t even try) it’s everywhere, here, there, you know. My advice to you is to stop, listen, and get hip to some “Pattoned” ideas.

One of the first things you realize about John when you see him, is that he is serious. A good part of that some seriousness spills over into his musical endeavors. Now, I don’t suggest that the man is without a sense of humor, nothing could be more distant from truth. Check him out on The Yodel, in his Blue Note LP 4229. Let’s just say he not only knows How to laugh, but When to laugh as well. Maybe it’s ‘THAT CERTAIN FEELING.”

John Patton is not your style, that is, if all you’re looking for are some organ vibrations. By the some token, if all you’re concerned with and attracted by are run-of-the-mill organ combos, this group is not your thing. You know the type, the ones that seem hell-bent on shattering the mirror in the men’s room, or making all the booze behind the bar gyrate and threaten to fall over from exhaustion. In a club setting, this group doesn’t make one set a test of endurance.

No, if that’s your stick, you won’t find it here. Before you abandon all hope and split, I'd like to have you get acquainted with some "Patton-ed" ideas. You see, due to the maturity of these men, and the responsibility John has placed upon them, each is agreeably committed to the last note. As a result, there are extremely happy moments in this music, moments when the mood calls to mind (mine) a carnival or playground. Remember that buoyant, happy feeling with those wildly inspired moments of abandon? Remember too, the carnival colors, the reds, the greens. the bright oranges, and the blues? Yes, the “blues,” let’s not forget the “blues “ Children are so free, so full of fun, adventure and life, but so are these men, listen to them. Through their instruments they’re like children, Patton’s organ, Cook’s tenor, Ponder’s guitar, and Jarvis’ drums. They’re riding the carousel, they’re swinging as high as they can, they’re gliding effortlessly on the sliding board. They’re at play, at peace, in lov.e Don’t confuse “child-like,” with “child’s-play,” the two can be (and in this case are) worlds apart. These men are serious, dedicated, mature musicians. Each of the tunes herein, represents a different and exciting musical game with almost boundless challenges. Indeed, they’ve captured "THAT CERTAIN FEELING".

—ED WILLIAMS
“Maiden Voyage”
WLIB-FM N.Y.C.

Cover Photo by JOEL BRODSKY
Cover Design by FORLENZA VENOSA ASSOCIATES
Recording by RUDY VAN GELDER
Produced by FRANCIS WOLFF

75th Anniversary Reissue Notes

This March 8, 1968 album was something of a transition for Big John Patton. He came to Blue Note through Lou Donaldson and the rhythm section of Patton, Grant Green and Ben Dixon was a powerhouse on a variety of Blue Note sessions. By the time the organist recorded "That Certain Feeling", he was looking for new musicians to interact and create music with. Here he chooses tenor saxophonist Junior Cook and drummer Clifford Jarvis who were known as players on the organ circuit. On guitar, he introduces Jimmy Ponder, who was so impressive on this date that Frank Wolff was considering signing him to Blue Note.

The music on this album is wonderful and "Minor Swing" is a minor masterpiece (no pun intended). Everyone gels and sounds great with any of the clichés that can occur on organ-tenor albums.

Michael Cuscuna