Bobby Watson | Live & Learn – [Palmetto, 2002]
Bobby Watson - Live & Learn
Bobby Watson may be the unluckiest person in the history of jazz, a music littered with unlucky people. Watson, who came up with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, where he was musical director for a number of years, went on to record four or five great records for the Italian Red label, including one of the best all-time jazz recordings ever, Love Remains. Capitol took notice and signed his group, Horizon, which may have been the best post-bop unit in the history of jazz, to a multi-record contract. And though they produced some great records, esp. The Inventor, they never really hit it big. From there he linked up with Kokopelli, Herbie Mann’s abortive attempt to make jazz accessible to the masses, and made the creditable but critically scorned Urban Renewal, which did nothing to advance his already sinking career. Then he made Quiet As It’s Kept, back on Red, a really fine record, which promptly sunk like a stone.
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