Opus de Blues

Opus de Blues is an album nominally led by saxophonist/flautist Frank Wess that was recorded in 1959 but not released on the Savoy label until it was first issued in Japan in 1984 and the United States in 1991.[1][2] The British label Fresh Sound records released a remastered CD of the original album with bonus tracks from two additional albums.

Opus de Blues
Studio album by
Frank Wess
Released1959
RecordedDecember 8, 1959
StudioVan Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
GenreJazz
Length33:49
LabelSavoy
MG 12142/SST 13009
ProducerOzzie Cadena
Frank Wess chronology
Wheelin' & Dealin'
(1957)		 Opus de Blues
(1959)		 The Frank Wess Quartet
(1960)

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[3]

Allmusic reviewer by Jim Todd stated, "Unlike some of the other Savoy releases in the Opus De series, this is not chamber jazz, but a relaxed, blowing session. The five blues-based themes are pleasant, easygoing vehicles, familiar ground for any Basie associate. The playing is skillful, although unremarkable ... Not essential listening, but of possible interest to Basiephiles. The sound recording is good, accurately capturing the horns, rhythm section, and ensemble parts".[3]

Track listings

Original LP

All compositions by Thad Jones except where noted

  1. "I Hear Ya Talkin'" (Frank Wess) – 4:09
  2. "Liz" – 3:32
  3. "Boop-Pe-Doop" (Curtis Fuller) – 8:37
  4. "Opus de Blues" – 10:56
  5. "Struttin' Down Broadway" – 5:35

CD remaster by Fresh Sound Records[4]

  1. "I Hear Ya Talkin" (Frank Wess) 4:09
  2. "Liz" (Thad Jones) 3:33
  3. "Boop De Doop" (Curtis Fuller) 8:39
  4. "Opus De Blues" (Thad Jones) 10:57
  5. "Struttin Down His Broadway (Thad Jones) 5:36
  6. "Subtle Rebuttal" (Thad Jones) 3:56
  7. "Tip Toe" (Thad Jones) 3:29
  8. "H & T Blues" (Thad Jones) 9:47
  9. "Friday the 13th" (Thad Jones) 6:49

Tracks 6-8, recorded in 1960, are from the album, The Birdland Story (Roulette SRB-2). Track 9 is from the album Lee Morgan/Thad Jones Minor Strain (Roulette 94574), also recorded 1960.

Personnel

References
  1. Jazzdisco: Savoy Records Catalog: 12100 series accessed February 6, 2019
  2. Jazzlists: Savoy 13000 series discography accessed February 6, 2019
  3. Todd, Jim. Frank Wess Opus de Blues – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  4. "Frank Wess & Thad Jones: OPUS DE BLUES + BONUS TRACKS". Fresh Sound Records. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
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