City Nights: Live at the Jazz Standard is the first of three live albums by saxophonist Frank Morgan that were recorded at the Jazz Standard in 2003 and released on the HighNote label.Frank Morgan discography accessed February 22, 2019Jazz Depot: HighNote discography - album details accessed February 22, 2019Frank Morgan Leader Entry accessed February 22, 2019
Reception
The review by AllMusic's Al Campbell said: "saxophonist Frank Morgan continues to illuminate the Charlie Parker style of bebop he's been playing since the mid-'50s ... Morgan is featured on alto saxophone throughout, accompanied by an excellent trio of jazz stalwarts who have frequently collaborated over the years ... These musicians work collective wonders and consistently inspire Morgan, making this set highly recommended".
All About Jazz writer Florence Wetzel stated "Despite his stature in the jazz world, Morgan still considers himself a student of the music; as he says in the liner notes, "I'm on a Monk journey." This fresh approach combined with years of experience gives City Nights a wonderful vitality. It's 64 minutes of pure delight, jazz at its classic best played by a living master".Wetzel, F., All About Jazz Review, accessed February 22, 2019
In JazzTimes, David Franklin noted "The set was completely unrehearsed and even unplanned. Except for a spot in “Cherokee” where disagreement about the tune’s form surfaces briefly, the informality of the session, with its resulting in-the-moment freshness, was a good thing".Franklin, D., JazzTimes Review, accessed February 22, 2019
In The Guardian, John Fordham wrote "This may appeal chiefly to those who know Morgan and wondered what he was up to, but on this evidence that's quite a lot".The GuardianReview, accessed February 22, 2019
Track listing "Georgia on My Mind" (Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell) – 5:16 "Cherokee" (Ray Noble) – 10:26 "Summertime" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward) – 7:44 "All Blues" (Miles Davis) – 7:27 "I Mean You" (Coleman Hawkins, Thelonious Monk) – 7:41 "'Round Midnight" (Thelonious Monk, Cootie Williams, Bernie Hanighen) – 6:20 "Equinox" (John Coltrane) – 12:09 "Impressions" (Coltrane) – 8:17
Personnel Performance Frank Morgan – alto saxophone George Cables – piano Curtis Lundy – bass Billy Hart – drums
Production Reggie Marshall – producer Randall Funke – engineer
References