Byrd's Eye View in Bloomington, MN

For all intents and purposes, a
Jazz Messengers
session issued under
Donald Byrd
's name,
Byrd's Eye View
, captures the young trumpeter in full command of his estimable powers -- the visceral intensity of this music is remarkable, galvanized by the typically stellar playing of drummer
Art Blakey
, pianist
Horace Silver
, tenorist
Hank Mobley
, and bassist
Doug Watkins
. Fellow trumpeter
Joe Gordon
pushes
Byrd
to new extremes -- his solos are as physical as a heavyweight boxer yet as graceful as a ballerina. And despite the length and scope of the tracks,
remains in complete control, performing with an authority and technical prowess that belie his age. An excellent hard bop date most readily available via the 2002
Blue Note
reissue
The Transition Sessions
. ~ Jason Ankeny