Nearing the end of a career that was hampered for a time by drug addiction,
Red Rodney had shaken his habit and was in top form on these 1988 live performances recorded at
Slukefter in Tivoli, Denmark. Joined by two underrated musicians, alto saxophonist
Dick Oatts and pianist
Garry Dial, plus bassist
Jay Anderson and drummer
John Riley,
Rodney is heard on both trumpet and flugelhorn, demonstrating that he still had plenty of chops this late in his career. While it is not surprising that a lot of material was previously played or recorded by
Charlie Parker, with whom the leader toured and played long stands early in his career,
Rodney also delves into later songs, such as an explosive update of his original
bop vehicle
"Red Arrow 88" (yet another
"I Got Rhythm" variation) and a brief sign-off of
Thelonious Monk's
"Let's Cool One." Another CD of music from these nightclub dates appeared on
Red Snapper, while both releases are combined in the later
Steeplechase compilation
Tivoli Session. ~ Ken Dryden
