Frank Morgan (album)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[5]

The review by Allmusic's Scott Yanow said: "When altoist Frank Morgan recorded his debut as a leader in 1955, he was being hyped as "the new Bird." Unfortunately, he seemed to generally follow in Charlie Parker's footsteps by becoming a drug addict. After 30 years passed, he recorded his second album and seriously began his successful comeback. This GNP album features Morgan back at the beginning, performing four numbers with Machito's rhythm section and six other songs with a septet that also includes tenor saxophonist, Wardell Gray (heard on his final recordings). Trumpeter Conte Candoli is a major asset on both of these "boppish" dates, while Morgan shows why he was rated so highly at this point in his career".[5]

All compositions by Frank Morgan except where noted

1. "Bernie's Tune" (Bernie Miller, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) – 5:30
2. "My Old Flame" (Sam Coslow, Arthur Johnston) – 4:40
3. "I'll Remember April" (Gene de Paul, Patricia Johnston, Don Raye) – 4:20
4. "Neil's Blues" – 5:00
5. "The Champ" (Dizzy Gillespie) – 4:48
6. "Chooch" – 3:30
7. "The Nearness of You" (Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington) – 5:10
8. "Whippet" – 4:25
9. "Milt's Tune" (Milt Jackson) – 4:32
10. "Get Happy" (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler) – 3:57
11. "Cresecendo Blues" (Jack Sheldon) – 6:04 Additional track on CD release
12. "Huh!" – 6:32 Additional track on CD release
13. "Autumn Leaves" (Joseph Kosma, Jacques Prévert, Johnny Mercer) – 3:38 Additional track on CD release
14. "Well, You Needn't" (Thelonious Monk) – 6:17 Additional track on CD release
15. "B.T." (Bobby Timmons) – 3:58 Additional track on CD release

• Recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, CA on January 29, 1955 (tracks 1–4) and March 31, 1955 (tracks 5–10) and live at The Crescendo in Los Angeles CA on August 11, 1956 (tracks 11–15)