Lou Donaldson - Pretty Things
Released - 1970
Recording and Session Information
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, January 9, 1970
Blue Mitchell, trumpet; Lou Donaldson, electric alto sax, vocals; Lonnie Smith, organ; Melvin Sparks, guitar; Jimmy Lewis, electric bass; Idris Muhammad, drums.
5760 Tennessee Waltz
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, June 12, 1970
Blue Mitchell, trumpet; Lou Donaldson, electric alto sax; Leon Spencer Jr., organ; Ted Dunbar, guitar; Idris Muhammad, drums.
6520 (tk.3) Curtis' Song
6521 (tk.6) Love
6523 (tk.7) Sassie Lassie
6524 Just For A Thrill
6525 Pot Belly
Track Listing
| Side One | ||
| Title | Author | Recording Date |
| Tennessee Waltz | Pee Wee King, Redd Stewart | January 9 1970 |
| Curtis' Song | Leon Spencer | June 12 1970 |
| Sassie Lassie | Harold Ousley | June 12 1970 |
| Side Two | ||
| Just for a Thrill | Lil Armstrong, Don Raye | June 12 1970 |
| Pot Belly | Lou Donaldson | June 12 1970 |
| Love | Milt Gabler, Bert Kaempfert | June 12 1970 |
Liner Notes
"DON'T PANIC," was my first reaction to Lou Donaldson's latest collection of material for Blue Note. I wondered, as I looked upon my test pressing of this LP, how would the critical, slow-to-change public react to a new Lou Donaldson? This would definitely be a contrast, I mused, reflecting back to a previous release and remembering distinctly those emphatically spoken words: I play is gonh be funky."
Pondering over past releases, back to ALLIGATOR BOOCALOO (Blue Note 4263), I recall Lou always maintaining a lively, happy beat, compelling listeners to instinctively respond to his sound - a tremendously successful sound that's become synonymous with him. Now, PRETTY THINGS. This I must hear.
My first surprise within these grooves came with the opening selection of "Tennessee Waltz." I couldn't visualize Lou going Country & Western, so with some skepticism I eased into my favorite chair and listened.
This arrangement of the C&W classic has to be a first in the contemporary music vein. I found myself drawn to this magnetic rhythm, which allows the melody to fit perfectly without losing its luster. I nodded approval as the last note faded away, convinced that this is one of Louis prettier things, where his identity is sustained. Lonnie Smith rejoins Lou for this recording with his fine organ talents.
Lou seems to have an endless waiting list of organists. You'll note on the track Leon Spencer, Jr. takes over and leaves nothing more to be desired. He carries his own weight with ease throughout the remaining selections including his own composition, " Curtis' Song.
The writing talents of Harold Ousley are again displayed through "Sassie Lassie." Harold, a fine tenor saxophonist, wrote "The Kid," included on Lou's second Blue Note release, MR. SHING-A-LING.
These two selections only exemplify the familiar Lou Donaldson sound.
Lou opens side two with the prettiest track on the album, "Just For A Thrill, " the ever-popular blues standard. Lou solos beautifully and with sadness here and mesmerically blends his side men into all that he feels.
The Lou Donaldson original composition of "Pot Belly" is a haunting, searching, moving tune that seems to find its way as it goes along. Satisfied with what it discovers, it happily drifts away.
Straight ahead is the word for the last track on this album. Lou up the session with Bert Kaempfert's "Love" and allows everyone to grab hold of the reins. Credit must be given to newcomer to the group, Ted Dunbar on guitar, Blue Mitchell, one of my favorite trumpeters, and last but definitely not least, Idris Muhammad on drums.
In summation, I'll say to the featured musician, "Play your music, baby." Pretty and funky.
To you the reader of liner notes, allow me to introduce again your Lou Donaldson. Nothing really changed. My reservations were unwarranted. This is another of Lou Donaldson's successful recordings. It bears the title of PRETTY THINGS. Designed for your listening enjoyment. Tune in.
- Bill Johnson, WCHD-FM, Detroit
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