The Blues and the Abstract Truth
February 23, 2011 3:59 PM   Subscribe

Exactly 50 years ago today, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Oliver Nelson recorded his seminal album The Blues and the Abstract Truth. Featuring Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, Roy Haynes, and Freddie Hubbard, the Impulse album is often cited as among the great recordings in early 1960s jazz, and the tune Stolen Moments in particular has become a standard.
posted by The Emperor of Ice Cream (27 comments total) 25 users marked this as a favorite
 
I love this record.
posted by cobra libre at 4:06 PM on February 23, 2011


I also love this record.
posted by bonobothegreat at 4:19 PM on February 23, 2011


I too love this record. Hoe-Down in particular.
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:21 PM on February 23, 2011


Fuck yes, do I love this record.
posted by 2N2222 at 4:33 PM on February 23, 2011


Can I just say that I love this record?
posted by languagehat at 4:55 PM on February 23, 2011


And yet it's so timeless.
posted by SomaSoda at 4:59 PM on February 23, 2011


Boy what a bunch of conformists! Well I have the album so I guess I love it (and Oliver Nelson) too. But check out this excellent vocal version of Stolen Moments by the great Mark Murphy.
posted by binturong at 5:00 PM on February 23, 2011 [1 favorite]


So did he record the album in one day, or was it released on this date?
posted by wheelieman at 5:04 PM on February 23, 2011


The first declaration of love of this album was declared on this date, wheelieman.
posted by ardgedee at 5:11 PM on February 23, 2011


So did he record the album in one day, or was it released on this date?

He recorded the album in one day.
posted by dfan at 5:13 PM on February 23, 2011


Then I wont snark, darn it
posted by wheelieman at 5:30 PM on February 23, 2011


Yeah, and some say Bill Evans (the pianist on the album) couldn't play blues. Arrrgh...
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 6:15 PM on February 23, 2011


And its incredible how many times Stolen Moments has been covered by other artists. A true standard.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 6:17 PM on February 23, 2011


I think I'm going to love this record.

If the brilliance of Stolen Moments is any indicator.
posted by Skygazer at 6:17 PM on February 23, 2011


Judging from the lineup, I will love the record as soon as I hear it.
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:55 PM on February 23, 2011


I also think I will love this record, thanks for the posting.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 6:57 PM on February 23, 2011


Beyond the transcendant beauty of the music, what always impresses me about this performance is the uncannily relaxed feel. I've never heard anything quite like it anywhere else.
posted by Jode at 6:58 PM on February 23, 2011


Yeah, it pretty much makes you feel like the baddest-ass, smoothest ladies man motherfucker this side of Dick Draper. Also I want whiskey. Lots of whiskey's and cokes. I want them at my table, the one I'm sitting at with 6 beautiful European models from 1961, all drinking VUEVE CLIQUOT and a haze of blue cigarette smoke mixing in with all the intoxicating perfume...

...sigh.

Yeah...
posted by Skygazer at 7:16 PM on February 23, 2011


Cheesy I know, but fun to think about...
posted by Skygazer at 7:32 PM on February 23, 2011


so when I went to iTunes to download this beautiful album, I was presented with two different albums, with different covers - same price, same track list. Any reasons why there would be two of these? Both issued on the same date, both with the same copyright.
posted by seawallrunner at 7:36 PM on February 23, 2011


seawallrunner, I had the same question, but then thought "what the hell, I'm cheap," and bought the $5.99 one.

I love this album.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:08 PM on February 23, 2011


Also: Paul Chambers was fucking god.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:10 PM on February 23, 2011


Also: Paul Chambers was fucking god.

You are correct, sir.
posted by Wolof at 8:21 PM on February 23, 2011


Paul Chambers was fucking god.

Was it good for god as well?
posted by deadwax at 9:00 PM on February 23, 2011


I love Eric Dolphy.
posted by kenko at 10:29 PM on February 23, 2011


me too
posted by caddis at 6:40 AM on February 24, 2011


I picked up a bunch of jazz LPs at an estate sale recently, and this record and Blowin' Sessions have been in really heavy rotation for the last few weeks. Great post, thanks!
posted by brand-gnu at 11:33 AM on February 24, 2011


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