Groovy - The Red Garland Trio (1LP Vinyl)

Groovy by The Red Garland Trio.

Few pianists could make a trio swing with the warmth and precision that Red Garland brought to the keyboard, and "Groovy" captures him in one of his most inviting settings. Recorded across three sessions at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey, on December 14, 1956, and May 24 and August 9, 1957, the album gathers the fruits of a fertile period for Garland as a leader, distilling his gift for melody and his effortless sense of groove into six memorable performances.

The record opens with a spirited reading of Duke Ellington's "C-Jam Blues," a piece that lets the trio stretch out and settle into a relaxed, blues-drenched pocket. From there the mood shifts and turns with "Gone Again" and the buoyant "Will You Still Be Mine?," each track showcasing Garland's touch, that signature blend of block chords, gentle single-note lines, and a rhythmic feel that always seems to lean forward without ever rushing.

Side two carries the listener deeper into the trio's expressive range. "Willow Weep For Me" arrives as a highlight, a torchy ballad handled with tenderness and restraint, while "What Can I Say, Dear" offers a graceful counterpoint. The set closes with "Hey Now," a fitting finale that leaves the album on a warm, unhurried note. Together these performances demonstrate why Garland remained one of the most sought-after pianists of his era, equally at home with the blues, the standards, and the more introspective side of the repertoire.

Originally issued on Prestige in 1957 under catalog number P-7113, "Groovy" belongs to a run of Garland trio recordings that helped define the sound of mid-century jazz piano. The material spans a rich cross-section of publishers and songwriting traditions, from Robbins Music and Dorsey Bros. Music to Bourne, Miller Music, and Prestige Music itself, reflecting the breadth of standards and original tunes that fed into the sessions.

This 2011 reissue, distributed by Fantasy, Inc., brings the album back into circulation for a new generation of listeners and collectors. The pressing carries a barcode printed directly on the rear of the sleeve in the upper right corner, a small detail that distinguishes this edition and helps identify it at a glance.

For anyone drawn to the intimate conversation of a great jazz trio, "Groovy" remains an essential document of Red Garland at his most engaging. It is a record that rewards repeated listening, revealing new subtleties in phrasing and rhythm with each spin, and a natural addition to any shelf devoted to the golden age of Prestige and the enduring artistry of the Van Gelder sound.

Pressing Details:
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey on December 14, 1956 and May 24 & August 9, 1957.
Re-issue distributed by Fantasy, Inc.

This reissue from 2011 includes barcode printed directly on rear of sleeve in the upper right corner.

Originally released in 1957 on Prestige (P-7113).

Publishers:
- A1: Robbins Music - ASCAP
- A2: Swing Tempo Music - BMI
- A3: Dorsey Bros. Music - ASCAP
- B1: Bourne - ASCAP
- B2: Miller Music - ASCAP
- B3: Prestige Music - BMI

Track Listing:
A1. C-Jam Blues
A2. Gone Again
A3. Will You Still Be Mine?
B1. Willow Weep For Me
B2. What Can I Say, Dear
B3. Hey Now

Artist: The Red Garland Trio

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Original Jazz Classics

Catalog Number: OJC-061

Release Year: 2011

Country: United States

Condition: Sealed (New)