''Happy Frame of Mind'' is an album by American jazz pianist
Horace Parlan
Horace Parlan (January 19, 1931 – February 23, 2017) was an American pianist and composer known for working in the hard bop and post-bop styles of jazz. In addition to his work as a bandleader Parlan was known for his contributions to the Char ...
featuring performances recorded for
Blue Note
In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note that—for expressive purposes—is sung or played at a slightly different pitch from standard. Typically the alteration is between a quartertone and a semitone, but this varies depending on the musical co ...
in 1963, but not released under Parlan's name on the label until 1986.
[Blue Note discography](_blank)
accessed September 22, 2010. The session was originally released under
Booker Ervin
Booker Telleferro Ervin II (October 31, 1930 – August 31, 1970) was an American tenor saxophone player. His tenor playing was characterised by a strong, tough sound and blues/gospel phrasing. He is remembered for his association with bassi ...
's name in 1976 as part of the Blue Note 2-LP set ''
Back from the Gig
''Back from the Gig'' is a double LP by American jazz saxophonist Booker Ervin featuring performances recorded in 1963 and 1968 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1976. '' and later released as originally intended. The album was first released on a CD in 1995.
Reception
The
Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4½ stars and stated: "''Happy Frame of Mind'' finds Horace Parlan breaking away from the soul-inflected hard bop that had become his trademark, moving his music into more adventurous, post-bop territory... it's one of Parlan's most successful efforts, finding the perfect middle ground between accessible, entertaining jazz and more adventurous music."
[Erlewine, S. T.]Allmusic Review
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
accessed September 22, 2010.
Track listing
# "Home Is Africa" (
Ronnie Boykins
Ronald Boykins (December 17, 1935 – April 20, 1980) was a jazz bassist and is best known for his work with pianist/bandleader Sun Ra, although he had played with such disparate musicians as Muddy Waters, Johnny Griffin, and Jimmy Witherspoon pri ...
) - 6:14
# "A Tune for Richard" (
Booker Ervin
Booker Telleferro Ervin II (October 31, 1930 – August 31, 1970) was an American tenor saxophone player. His tenor playing was characterised by a strong, tough sound and blues/gospel phrasing. He is remembered for his association with bassi ...
) - 5:44
# "Back from the Gig" (Parlan) - 5:58
# "Dexi" (Johnny Coles) - 5:57
# "Kucheza Blues" (Randy Weston) - 6:10
# "Happy Frame of Mind" (Parlan) - 8:49
Personnel
*
Horace Parlan
Horace Parlan (January 19, 1931 – February 23, 2017) was an American pianist and composer known for working in the hard bop and post-bop styles of jazz. In addition to his work as a bandleader Parlan was known for his contributions to the Char ...
- piano
*Johnny Coles - trumpet
*
Booker Ervin
Booker Telleferro Ervin II (October 31, 1930 – August 31, 1970) was an American tenor saxophone player. His tenor playing was characterised by a strong, tough sound and blues/gospel phrasing. He is remembered for his association with bassi ...
- tenor saxophone
*Grant Green - guitar (#1-4, 6)
*Butch Warren - double bass, bass
*Billy Higgins - drum kit, drums
References
{{Authority control
Blue Note Records albums
Horace Parlan albums
1986 albums
Albums recorded at Van Gelder Studio
Albums produced by Alfred Lion