JAMES MOODY - "Return From Overbrook" featuring the "Flute N' The Blues" and "Last Train From Overbrook" US MONO Albums from 1956 and 1958 originally on Argo Records (March 1996 USA MCA/Chess/GRP CD Reissue - 2LPs onto 1CD - Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Good News…I'm Back…"

This 20-Track March 1996 US CD "Return To Overbrook" on MCA/Chess/GRP GRD-810 (Barcode 011105081023) features two 1950s albums in their entirety by Saxophonist JAMES MOODY - both originally issued n Mono on Leonard and Phil Chess' Jazz label offshoot Argo Records. It breaks down as follows (63:54 minutes):

1. Last Train From Overbrook

2. Don’t Worry 'Bout Me

3. Why Don't You

4. I’m Free a.k.a. What's New?

5. Tico-Tico

6. There She Goes

7. All The Things You Are

8. Brother Yusef

9. Yvonne

10. The Moody One

Tracks 1 to 10 are "Last Train From Overbrook", a 1958 USA-Only LP on Argo 637 [Mono]

11. Flute 'N The Blues

12. Birdland Story

13. It Could Happen To You

14. I Cover The Waterfront

15. Body And Soul

16. Breaking The Rules

17. Parker's Mood

18. Easy Living

19. Boo's Tune

20. Richard's Blues

Tracks 11 to 20 are "Flute N' The Blues", a 1956 USA-Only LP on Argo 603 [Mono]

The 1st generation analogue master tapes have been remastered by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON and the sound quality is superb throughout (Orrin Keepnews Produced the Reissue). The 16-page booklet has a preamble by Dave Usher (Argo and Chess producer) and further liner notes by Bob Blumenthal (a Jazz critic for The Boston Globe) - it also pictures album sleeves and label close-ups and has discography information on the sessions where known.

Moody was primarily an Alto and Tenor Saxophone player, but he also excelled on the flute. His session men included Johnny Coles on Trumpet, William Sheppard on Trombone, Numa "Pee Wee" Moore on Baritone Sax with Jimmy Boyd on Piano, John Lathan on Bass and Clarence Johnston on Drums. The "Last Train From Overbrook" album is entirely instrumental, but three tracks from "Flute 'N The Blues" - "Birdland Story", "Parker's Mood" (lyrics above) and "I Cover The Waterfront" feature Eddie Jefferson on scat vocals.

The title comes from his turbulent stay at the "Overbrook" Mental Institution in New Jersey and the music is imbibed with his journey of redemption from that awful place and mindset.

Georgia-born James Moody played in the USA as late as 2009 and this CD reissue certainly shows why he was still such a draw even in his 80ts. It's now quite a rare disc, but well worth seeking out - especially given the wonderful sound quality…