This live double CD is a bit odd. Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's once beautiful tone was definitely on the decline by this point, which is particularly noticeable on high notes (which often sound painful) and the lone ballad "But Beautiful." Tenor-saxophonist Javon Jackson seems content to imitate Joe Henderson while pianist Benny Green, who normally sounds like a mixture of Bobby Timmons, Gene Harris and Oscar Peterson, here adopts the heavy tone and chord voicings of McCoy Tyner. Bassist Christian McBride and drummer Tony Reedus play fine in support but these often-lengthy performances are not at all memorable. Better to pick up Freddie Hubbard's earlier sessions instead.
Freddie Hubbard
Live at Fat Tuesday's
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