Record of the Day: Johnny Griffin, “Way Out!”

Johnny Griffin
“Way Out!” (Riverside CD OJCCD-1855-2)

We greet the cold atmospheres of late September with an injection of energy provided by a musician who has put communication at the top of his priorities, always distributing instrumental performances of exceptional caliber in any context he finds himself performing.
Johnny Griffin is a bebop lion who has ignited dozens of sessions thanks to his amazing technical skill combined with great knowledge of the most advanced jazz harmonic language and remarkable melodic intelligence.
His small stature could be deceiving, because when Griffin approached the microphone the tornado that came out of the instrument transported all the jazz lovers who queued up to listen to him in Thelonious Monk’s band or in their own groups into the biosphere.

Compared to many recordings of the 1950s, characterized by rapid speed of execution that demonstrated all the skill
Griffin’s technique and improvisation, this “Way Out!” he doesn’t press the accelerator pedal to the maximum, and Johnny seems to want to demonstrate in this way that he can still reach levels of great power even while maintaining midtempo atmospheres, perfectly supported by a rhythm section (Wilbur Ware on double bass, Kenny Drew and Philly on piano Joe Jones on drums) who certainly needs no further praise.

The only moment in which Griffin just can’t help himself is in the reinterpretation of one of his warhorses, “Cherokee” (of which he had already given an incredible version on his debut album); the metronome accelerates like crazy, the rhythm emits columns of smoke and Griffin’s sax takes off like a rocket for a race that leaves you stunned. However, no less energetic are the two blues “Hot Sausage” and “Teri’s Tune” while the curious waltz-like progression of the “Sunny Monday” theme
alternates with a shuffle with cat-like movements that allows Griffin to set some of the most brilliant solos of his career.

These sorties are a perpetual fountain of ideas, which unfold with ease, avoiding clichés and demonstrating a creative mastery that places Griffin among the greatest soloists of his generation.
If the prospect of facing October gives you chills, “Way Out!” it will warm your soul and your good mood with its flashes of
energy, which knows no failure.

Carlo Boccadoro, composer and conductor, was born in Macerata in 1963. He lives and works in Milan. He collaborates with soloists and orchestras in different parts of the world. He is the author of numerous books on musical topics.

This text is taken from “Lunario della musica: A record for every day of the year” published by Einaudi, courtesy of the author and the publisher.