Call of the Gators

by Willis "Gator" Jackson

Overview

This 14-track entry from Delmark's Apollo series provides a useful roundup of tenor saxophonist Willis Jackson's earliest recordings as a leader. The set of jump blues and stomping R&B instrumentals showcases the young leader's hard-honking, leering style. Still a teenager at the time, Jackson recorded the performances for the New York-based Apollo label in 1949 and 1950, shortly after he came to prominence as a member of trumpeter Cootie Williams' band. While he seems made to measure for the role of "blowin' motherf*cker," Jackson's ballad playing reveals a more sophisticated player with a smoky Ben Webster style. This side of Jackson -- which became more evident later in his career -- comes across most notably on the ballad "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and in the unhurried lope of "More Blues at Midnight." The players with Jackson are likeminded practitioners of good-time, bluesy backbeats, including pianist Bill Doggett and drummer Panama Francis. Two tracks feature Jackson with the Bobby Smith Orchestra and vocalist Eddie Mack, who reflects unrepentantly on the timeless themes of money, women, and drink. An unidentified guitarist (possibly Leroy Kirkland) on one of the Smith tracks contributes a brief swinging solo in the style of Tiny Grimes that proves to be one of the disc's high points. The medium-paced title track is another highlight. ~ Jim Todd

Product Details

Release Date:	09/18/1993
Label:	DELMARK
UPC:	0038153046026

Tracks

1. Blow, Jackson Blow
2. More Blues at Midnight
3. Later for the Gator
4. Dance of the Lady Bug
5. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
6. Gonna Hoot and Holler Saturday Night
7. Call of the Gators
8. On My Own
9. Chuck's Chuckles
10. Later for the Gator
11. Lemonade
12. More Blues at Midnight
13. Call of the Gators
14. Blow, Jackson Blow

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Willis "Gator" Jackson   Primary Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Booty Wood   Trombone
Eddie Mack   Vocals
Ben Kynard   Sax (Baritone)
Leemie Stanfield   Bass
Joe Murphy   Drums
Reuben Phillips   Sax (Baritone)
Duke Anderson   Piano
Arnold Jarvis   Piano
Michael Booty Wood   Trombone
Leonard Heavy Swain   Bass
Andrew Ford   Trumpet
Haywood Henry   Sax (Baritone)
Bill Doggett   Piano
Bobby Smith   Piano
Bob Johnson   Trumpet
Robert Range   Trombone
Andrew "Fats" Ford   Trumpet
Panama Francis   Drums

Technical Credits

Chuck Stewart   Photography
Steve Wagner   Producer
Bob Porter   Liner Notes
Carl Sapp   Composer
Doug Phillips   Composer
Russell Thurston   Photography
Al Brandtner   Design,Package Design
Jack Vierra   Photography
Eric Saravia   Composer
Vic Sapp   Composer
Charles Kynard   Composer
Robert G. Koester   Producer
Jimmy Cobb   Composer
Roger Seibel   Pre-Mastering,CD Pre-Mastering
Willis "Gator" Jackson   Composer
Burt Bacharach   Composer
Claude-Michel Schoenberg   Composer
Billy Smiley   Composer
Carole Bayer Sager   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Randy Kinnett   Composer
Jerome Kern   Composer