Take a Number from 1 to 10
| Take a Number from 1 to 10 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Benny Golson | ||||
| Released | 1961 | |||
| Recorded |
December 13 & 14, 1960 and April 11, 1961 Nola's Penthouse Sound Studio, New York City | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 41:55 | |||
| Label |
Argo LP 684 | |||
| Producer | Kay Norton | |||
| Benny Golson chronology | ||||
| ||||
Take a Number from 1 to 10 is an album by saxophonist Benny Golson, featuring performances recorded in late 1960 and early 1961 and originally released on the Argo label.[1]
Background
This was Golson's first recording as leader for Argo.[2]:7 The concept for the album – start with a track of solo saxophone by Golson, then add one musician for each of the remaining tracks, finishing with ten for the final one – was that of producer Kay Norton.[2]:7
Recording and music
The first seven tracks were recorded on December 13 and 14, 1960.[2]:19 Golson begins on tenor saxophone with one chorus of "You're My Thrill".[2]:7 "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" adds bassist Tommy Williams, who maintains the tempo while "matching Golson's intensity".[2]:8 Drummer Albert Heath is added for a trio version of "The Best Thing for You Is Me"; then pianist Cedar Walton joins, becoming the fourth member of the Golson-Art Farmer-led band the Jazztet playing, for "Impromptune".[2]:8 Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard plays on the medium tempo "Little Karin", which was named after Norton's daughter.[2]:8 "Swing It" is a fast blues with Curtis Fuller on trombone added; the sextet with Fuller, Hubbard, and Walton presaged the 1961 version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.[2]:8 Golson is the main soloist for the ballad "I Fall in Love Too Easily", which has Sahib Shihab added on baritone saxophone.[2]:8
The personnel changed considerably for the final three tracks, recorded on April 11, 1961.[2]:19 The octet that plays "Out of This World" consists of baritone saxophone, two tenor saxophones, trumpet, trombone, French horn, bass, and drums; they form rhythms that allow Golson to flow in and out of the harmonic structure of the composition.[2]:8 A second trumpet is added for "The Touch"; and another, Farmer, completes the tentet for "Time".[2]:8
Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
The Allmusic review describes the album as "A gimmick record that transcends its novelty trappings [...] While the progressive sonic expansion is fascinating to behold, the small-group settings are no less impressive for their intimacy and nuance".[3]
Track listing
All compositions by Benny Golson except as indicated
- "You're My Thrill" (Burton Lane, Ned Washington) – 1:36
- "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (Cole Porter) – 4:11
- "The Best Thing for You Is Me" (Clifford Brown, Buddy DeSylva, Ray Henderson) – 2:49
- "Impromptune" – 3:03
- "Little Karin" – 3:36
- "Swing It" – 4:26
- "I Fall in Love Too Easily" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 4:47
- "Out of This World" (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) – 3:54
- "The Touch" – 5:16
- "Time" – 3:35
- Recorded at Nola's Penthouse Sound Studio in New York City on December 13, 1960 (tracks 1–4), December 14, 1960 (tracks 5–7) and April 11, 1961 (tracks 8-10)
Personnel
Musicians
- Benny Golson – tenor saxophone
- Art Farmer (track 10), Bernie Glow (tracks 9 & 10), Freddie Hubbard (tracks 5–7), Nick Travis (tracks 8–10) – trumpet
- Willie Ruff – French horn (tracks 8–10)
- Bill Elton (tracks 8–10), Curtis Fuller (tracks 6 & 7) – trombone
- Hal McKusick – alto saxophone (tracks 8–10)
- Sol Schlinger (tracks 8–10), Sahib Shihab (track 7) – baritone saxophone
- Cedar Walton – piano (tracks 4–7)
- Tommy Williams – bass (tracks 2–10)
- Albert Heath – drums (tracks 3–10)
Production
- Kay Norton – production
- Tommy Nola – recording engineering