Booker Ervin – The Classic Albums 1962-1964 – 4CD

A most distinctive tenor saxophonist with a hard, passionate tone and an emotional style that was still tied to chordal improvisation, Booker Ervin was a true original. Initially a trombonist, Ervin taught himself tenor while in the Air Force, and remains best known as a member of Charles Mingus' band, with whom he played sporadically between 1956 and 1962. This 4CD set brings together the finest recordings Booker Ervin made as bandleader between 1960 and 1964, the era generally considered to be the musician's glory years. With the sax maestro's unique style, vision and compositional excellence amply displayed on the eight albums featured, this collection works as both a valuable introduction to the great man's music and a welcome reminder for the ready versed.

Track Listing:

CD1:
1. The Blue Book - 8:36 2. Git It - 6:56 3. Little Jane - 6:24 4. The Book Cooks - 10:42 5. Largo - 6:15 6. Poor Butterfly - 3:46 7. Dee Da Do - 7:32 8. Mr. Wiggles - 5:19 9. You Don't Know What Love Is - 7:25 10. Down In The Dumps - 6:14 11. Well, Well - 9:53 12. Autumn Leaves - 7:01

CD2:
1. Mojo - 7:58   2. Uranus - 4:32   3. Poinciana - 8:04   4. Speak Low - 7:12   5. Booker's Blues - 10:59   6. Boo - 4:33   7. Mooche Mooche - 7:19   8. Black And Blue - 6:19   9. Mour - 4:08   10. Just In Time - 4:55   11. No Land’s Man - 5:39   12. Tune In - 8:32

CD3:
1. A Lunar Tune - 7:52   2. Cry Me Not - 4:55   3. Grant’s Stand - 8:04   4. A Day To Mourn - 9:35   5. Al's In - 9:48   6. The Lamp Is Low - 7:14   7. Come Sunday - 5:38   8. All The Things You Are - 5:19   9. Just Friends - 5:54   10. Yesterdays - 7:43   11. Our Love Is Here To Stay - 6:27

CD4:
1. Eerie Dearie - 14:31   2. One For Mort - 6:25   3. No Booze Blooze - 15:27   4. True Blue - 5:07   5. Number Two - 8:18   6. I Can't Get Started - 9:41   7. Mojo - 10:30   8. There Is No Greater Love - 7:10