|
No. |
Title |
Length |
| 1. |
Merry Life (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:06 |
| 2. |
Short Life (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
1:57 |
| 3. |
Talk of the Town (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:51 |
| 4. |
Bass C Jam, Pt. 1 (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:37 |
| 5. |
Bass C Jam, Pt. 2 (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:57 |
| 6. |
Down Home (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:49 |
| 7. |
Sweet and Lovely (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
3:00 |
| 8. |
Fiesta (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:10 |
| 9. |
I'm in the Mood for Love (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:54 |
| 10. |
Belle from Bunnycock, Pt. 1 (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:45 |
| 11. |
Belle from Bunnycock, Pt. 2 (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:44 |
| 12. |
Flip Lip (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:30 |
| 13. |
The Man I Love (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:46 |
| 14. |
The Last Word (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:24 |
| 15. |
Royal Garden Blues / Mood Indigo (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
4:17 |
| 16. |
St. Louis Blues (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
1:59 |
| 17. |
12th Street Rag (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:37 |
| 18. |
Stormy Weather (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:03 |
| 19. |
Perdido (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
6:00 |
| 20. |
Man With Ahorn (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
3:47 |
| 21. |
Stompin' At the Savoy (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
2:13 |
| 22. |
Lady Be Good (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
5:20 |
| 23. |
Stardust (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
3:07 |
| 24. |
How High the Moon (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
4:59 |
| 25. |
Don't Blame Me (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
3:27 |
| 26. |
Body and Soul (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
3:24 |
| 27. |
Harvest Time (featuring Jimmy Heath, Milton Jackson, Joe Harris, Percy Heath) |
3:28 |
The first half of this two-LP set is much better than the second half. On the first album the great bop trumpeter Howard McGhee is heard at the peak of his powers in 1948 with two different sextets: one with Jimmy Heath (who doubles here on alto and baritone) and vibraphonist Milt Jackson, while the second date features Billy Eckstine, on valve trombone. The latter disc has sessions (recorded in Guam during 1951-52) that find McGhee leading a pianoless group with trombonist J.J. Johnson and Rudy Williams on tenor. Unfortunately that band (which entertained troops overseas) was stuck doing a halfhearted history of jazz presentation with a dull medley and remakes of several hit songs. There are some worthwhile moments but these performances are pretty streaky. However the first album is strong enough by itself to recommend this two-fer.
