Frank Morgan’s first HighNote release, City Nights (HCD 7129), was greeted with rave reviews, many commenting on how lucid and imaginative Morgan's playing was after a seven-year hiatus and after surviving a stroke in 1998. But the disc didn't completely document his three-day stint at the Jazz Standard. Here is a second volume which features the same stellar lineup, exploring another batch of classic material, such as Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" and Cables' "Helen's Song" with equal amounts of superlative grace and grit. Although Charlie Parker still informs his fluid improvisations, Morgan has pared down his solos considerably, concentrating more on the melodies and then translating them with lamenting lyricism. With excellent backing by George Cables, Curtis Lundy and Billy Hart, Frank Morgan’s deep-rooted musical utterances may be called, ‘soul music’, in the best sense of the term. As Beethoven said, ‘As it came from the heart, let it go to the heart.’

With George Cables, piano; Curtis Lundy, bass; Billy Hart, drums.

Tracks: Polka Dots & Moonbeams; Footprints; Nefertiti; Don’t Get Around Much Anymore; Old Folks; Tune Up; In a Sentimental Mood; Helen’s Song; Bessie’s Blues.

Polka Dots and Moonbeams

Footprints

Tune Up

Helen's Song