Customer Reviews
Defintive Blue Note groove - By: David Johnson, 05 Dec 2006 
"The Sidewinder," is probably Jazz's,"Smells like Teen Spirit." It's undeniably brilliant but it's been so over-exposed, covered & plagiarised down the years that it's genius is no longer instantly apparent. The extended blues track became something of an anchorism for Blue Note, it's a shame because there is some truly wonderful playing on this track, Morgans's ranging trumpet & another set defining performance by Joe Henderson on sax. I prefer to analyse the title trackin conjunction with the other brilliant peices of music on this record. You have the hypnotic "Totem Pole," & it's alternate version which somehow manages to be even better. It merges beautifully into the funky,"Gary's Notebook." Higgin's drumwork constantly helps Morgan & Henderson cut the groove. Another favourite of mine is,"Hocus-Pokus," where we see some of Morgan's trumpet trickery. He blew a trumpet like nobody elsein my opinion, it's those little flickering sounds he makes before delving into the helter-skelter solos that I love. One of the most interesting things about this album is the drumming. Billy Higgins clearly knew Morgan like the back of his hand & it's his tight sequences that really give the tracks their steady drive & the controlling beat.
"The Sidewinder," isn`t liked by some because of it's commercial success & it did set a fad at Blue Note that lasted far too long. In my opinion Morgan made several other records just as strong as this but if you don't have this recordin your collection there's no better way of possibly spending your money than getting your hands on it. Deserves it's legendary status.
A "Cool" Jazz Masterpiece - In the dictionary under Groove. - By: Mr. Dominic L. Brown, 27 Aug 2005 This album is an absolute must for any Jazz enthusiast, showcasing Lee Morgan at his powerful best. Undoubtedly one of the finest trumpetersin the history of Jazz, Morgan seems barely to break a sweat during the title track, & yet exploits the groove with precision & energy. The musical interplay between Morgan & Joe Henderson on Tenor Sax is superb & seldom matchedin any session. Bob Cranshaws' irresistable basslines, & Billy Higgins' powerful backbeat create a momentum that will have your feet tapping helplessly from the first few bars.
After the sublime cool of "The Sidewinder", things get better & better, with every track arguably a masterpiece of the genre. Totem Pole is a superbly constructed piece, proving that Morgan is also a Jazz composer of a high order. "Gary's Notebook" & "Boy, What a Night!" are both upbeat numbers, with more challenging lines, & feature superb solos from Morgan & Henderson. Running through them all is the superb rhythm section, which never fails to groove, & at times takes centre stage - listen to Barry Harris' great piano work on "Totem Pole", & Billy Higgins' relentless beat on "Hocus Pocus".
If you are a Jazz fan & you do not own this album buy it now! If you are not a Jazz fan you will have heard the title track used as mood music on TV or radio - please buy it & listen without any distractions - it will reward your full attention! Be warned though - this album should be labelled with a health warning - "Extremely addictive - may cause excessive listening to Jazz"
The sidewinder - a review - By: J. D. Naylor, 06 Aug 2005 This is an all time classic sixties Blue Note album that has even found famein club dancefloor remixes.Leee Morgan was the most technically gifted trumpet player to emerge from the fifties.He cut his chops on hard bop records with Art Blakey but found his niche with what some call "boogaloo".But there is no doubt that this is where the whole soul/jazz movement started when morgan,Herbie Hancock,Donald Byrd & others started to "Funk Up" there music with irregular beats & make them the basis of the whole piece with the horn players soloing over those steady grooves making the music seem instantly "catchy" & familiar.
For the above reason alone this album deserves a placein any jazz fans collection.
Great Stuff
Pure "cool"... - By: nicjaytee, 30 Dec 2003 "The Sidewinder"... 10 minutes 24 seconds of pure "cool" & a stunningly effective example of how to push jazz into mainstream popular music without compromising on technique or virtuosity. Recordedin 1963 - way before "jazz/funk" was invented - Lee Morgan lays down its perfect template by creating an insidious riff that captures & holds the listener's attention while inviting improvisation from a superbly tight band that includes Joe Henderson on sax & the wonderful Bob Cranshaw on bass. So clever that their breaks become an integral part of the driving back-beat that resultsin that rarest of things: a jazz track that you can actually dance to. Definitive, timeless and, above all, fun.
And the rest?... high quality early 60's jazz: as good as anything around at the time but overwhelmed by the sheer power of the album's opening track.
Sidewinder - to hear it is to love it. - By: , 03 Mar 2002 No jazz collection should be without this masterpiece of upbeat cool. Not just great horn blowing from Mr. Morgan, but some of the hottest solo pieces from the rest of the guys too -sax, piano & some unbelievable bass. Definitelyin the same groove as Dexter Gordon's "Go" & Cannonball Adderley's "Somethin' Else". The only time I ever called a radio station to get the name of a tune. If you don't start tappin' to the title track, then check your pulse 'coz you're probably dead.
