The influence of
Charlie Parker can be heard in virtually every modern jazz musician, particularly players of the alto saxophone. Although considered to be one of "Bird's children,"
Lou Donaldson absorbed and synthesized other pre-
Parker influences, such as
Johnny Hodges and
Benny Carter. This recording marks a period in his development prior to a stylistic shift away from bop and toward a stronger rhythm and blues emphasis. Three up-tempo tunes are pure bebop; the remaining number is a medium blues in B flat, quite characteristic of the hard bop period. The front line on this set includes
Donald Byrd and
Curtis Fuller; the rhythm section is
Sonny Clark,
George Joyner, and
Art Taylor. Overall,
Lou Takes Off breaks no new musical ground, but it is a solid, swinging session of high-caliber playing. [An edition remastered by Rudy Van Gelder was issued in 2008.] ~ Lee Bloom
