Dizzy Gillespie - 1963 Something Old, Something New 

  
Reissued on CD in 1998, this was one of Dizzy Gillespie's finest sessions of the 1960s. His quintet (which includes James Moody on tenor, flute and alto, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Chris White and drummer Rudy Collins) sounds quite inspired. The "Something Old" portion of the set is the main reason to acquire it, since it consists of rapid versions of "Bebop" and "Dizzy Atmosphere," a memorable rendition of "Good Bait" and a definitive medley of "I Can't Get Started" and "'Round Midnight." The "New" part of the release consists of four then-recent pieces (three by Tom McIntosh), best known of which is "Cup Bearers." The CD reissue adds a brief "Early Mornin' Blues" to the program. Highly recommended.
Scott Yanow 


Dizzy Gillespie's best group since 1946, with veteran James Moody and novice Kenny Barron, entered the studio one morning playing bebop classics. That afternoon they devoted themselves to Tom McIntosh's innovative compositions. By day's end they had something old and something new -- which pleased the fans who harked back to where Gillespie had been as well as those who wondered where the trumpet titan might be heading.
This exceptionally focused effort, though, turned out to be an isolated masterpiece in Gillespie's eclectic Sixties -- the trumpeter's one indispensable combo date of the era.
vervemusicgroup.com



Dizzy Gillespie recorded very few albums that stand the test of time. This one does.Many of the compilations contain material from the whole spectrum of his career - but this is how he sounded in 1963 with a small group that are supportive and urge him to extend himself. Sidesmen Kenny Barron and James Moody are a teriffic foil, and he'd hired Tom McIntosh to do the arrangements, and he contributes three of his own tracks. What you get is a breakneck revisit of tracks he'd recorded before together with outstanding tracks "November afternoon" and "Cup bearers" from McIntosh.The opening track "Bebop" is a real example of what Gillespie was capable of when really set alight.It's difficult to believe that Barron was only 20 when this album was recorded, he's everywhere in this album encouraging the cross play between Gillespie and Moody, whose performance was magnificent.There are other Gillespie compilations that are worth buying,but few single albums that are as complete as this. Until Verve re-release Gillespie's "The greatest trumpet of them all" this is the album to go for!
Dr.D.Treharne (Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom) 



01. Bebop   (Gillespie)   6:17
02. Good Bait   (Basie, Dameron)   3:03
03. Medley: I Can't Get Started/'Round Midnight   (Williams, Duke, Gershwin, Monk)   6:23
04. Dizzy Atmosphere   (Gillespie)   6:12
05. November Afternoon   (McIntosh)   4:19
06. This Lovely Feeling   (Guryan, Mardin)   4:19
07. The Day After   (McIntosh)   4:33
08. Cup Bearers   (McIntosh)   6:11
09. Early Mornin' Blues   (Gillespie)   2:55

Recorded on April 23 - 25, 1963

Dizzy Gillespie (Trumpet)
James Moody (Flute, Alto & Tenor Saxophone)
Kenny Barron (Piano)
Rudy Collins (Drums)
Chris White (Bass)