Showcased here is the third (and probably the best) formation of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, featuring the leader on drums, plus trumpeter Lee Morgan, saxophonist Benny Golson (composer of most of the songs), pianist Bobby Timmons and bassist Jymie Merritt.This 2-CD set includes the group’s best album ever, the classic Moanin’ (Blue Note BST-4003), along with their complete performances at the Olympia Theatre in Paris —originally issued as 1958-Paris Olympia (Fontana 680.202ML)—presenting live versions of most of the songs from that album. The collection is completed with the group’s score for the film Des Femmes Disparaissent (Fontana LP 660.224MR), and, as a bonus, readings of “Along Came Betty” and “Moanin’,” recorded live at Club St. Germain during the same period.

ART BLAKEY, drums & leaderLEE MORGAN, trumpetBENNY GOLSON, tenor saxBOBBY TIMMONS, pianoJYMIE MERRITT, bassCD1, 1-6: Moanin’New Jersey, October 30, 1958.CD1, 7-10 & CD2, 1-3: 1958-Paris OlympiaL’Olympia, Paris, November/December 1958.CD2, 6-23: Des Femmes DisparaissentParis, December 18 & 19, 1958.*BONUS TRACKS: Same personnel.Club St. Germain, Paris, December 21, 1958.

• - 1 -

  • 1. Moanin'
  • 2. Are You Real?
  • 3. Along Came Betty
  • 4. The Drum Thunder Suite
  • 5. Blues March
  • 6. Come Rain or Come Shine
  • 7. Moanin' [Live At L'olympia]
  • 8. Justice (Evidence) [Live At L'olympia]
  • 9. Blues March [Live At L'olympia]
  • 10. Whisper Not [Live At L'olympia]

• - 2 -

  • 1. Just By Myself [Live At L'olympia]
  • 2. I Remember Clifford [Live At L'olympia]
  • 3. Are You Real? [Live At L'olympia]
  • 4. Along Came Betty [Live At Club St. Germain]
  • 5. Moanin' [Live At Club St. Germain]
  • 6. Generique
  • 7. Pierre Et Beatrice
  • 8. Nasol
  • 9. Tom
  • 10. Poursuite Dans La Ruelle
  • 11. Ne Chuchote Pas
  • 12. Mambo Dans La Voiture
  • 13. Merlin
  • 14. Just Pour Eux Seuls
  • 15. Blues Pour Doudou
  • 16. Blues Pour Marcel
  • 17. Blues Pour Vava
  • 18. Pasquier
  • 19. Quaglio
  • 20. La Divorcee De Leo Fall
  • 21. Suspense. Tom Et Nasol
  • 22. Des Femmes Disparaissent
  • 23. Final Pour Pierre Et Beatrice