Free (Benny Golson album)

Background

Pianist Tommy Flanagan had played with Golson before; bassist Ron Carter was selected to provide a different approach for the leader; and drummer Art Taylor was a replacement for Philly Joe Jones, who was due to play, but did not go to the studio.

Reception

In the November 7, 1963 issue of Down Beat magazine, critic Harvey Pekar awarded the album 5 stars and said that "Golson's improvising is outstanding; I doubt that he's ever before played as consistently well on record."

The Allmusic review states, "Golson's last album as a leader in which he plays in his Don Byas/Lucky Thompson style (he would soon become a fulltime arranger and, by the time he led his next playing date in 1977, Golson's sound was quite a bit different) finds him in top form". Writing in 2004, critic Bob Blumenthal commented that the album "remains among the highlights of his recording career".

Track listing

All compositions by Benny Golson except as indicated

1. "Sock Cha" (Will Davis) – 7:10
2. "Mad About the Boy" (Noël Coward) – 7:15
3. "Just by Myself" – 5:45
4. "Shades of Stein" – 4:30
5. "My Romance" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 7:30
6. "Just in Time" (Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne) – 5:55

Musicians

Production