Castle Rock is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges featuring performances recorded in 1951 and 1952 and released on the Norgran label.Norgran Records Catalog: 1000 series accessed February 16, 2016Discography of the Verve, Clef and Norgran labels accessed February 16, 2016
Reception
AllMusic awarded the album 3 stars out of 5 and noted "Hodges was evidently trying to make somewhat of a break from his established sound with this recording, though the results are mixed. It's still worth acquiring, though there are a number of better recordings available under Hodges' name".
Track listing All compositions by Johnny Hodges, except as indicated. "Castle Rock" (Al Sears) - 2:40 "The Jeep Is Jumpin'" (Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges) - 2:45 "A Gentle Breeze" (Sears) - 3:10 "Globe Trotter" - 3:05 "Jeep's Blues" (Ellington, Hodges) - 2:55 "A Pound of Blues" (Leroy Lovett) - 3:05 "You Blew Out the Flame in My Heart" - 3:20 "Something to Pat Your Foot To" (Sears) - 2:50 "Blue Fantasia" - 3:10 "My Reward" (Ellington) - 3:10 "Sideways" (Lovett) - 3:00 "Wham" - 3:00 Recorded in New York City on January 15, 1951 (tracks 7–10), January 15, 1951 (tracks 2 & 5), March 3, 1951 (tracks 1, 3 & 4) and January 13, 1952 (tracks 6, 11 & 12).
Personnel Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone Emmett Berry, (tracks 1–6, 11 & 12), Nelson Williams (tracks 7–10) - trumpet Lawrence Brown - trombone Al Sears - tenor saxophone Leroy Lovett (tracks 1–3 & 5–12), Billy Strayhorn (track 4) - piano Al McKibbon (tracks 7–10), Lloyd Trotman (tracks 1–6, 11 & 12) - bass Sonny Greer (tracks 1–5 & 7–10), Joe Marshall (tracks 6, 11 & 12) - drums
References