(November 8, 2023) To be honest, I had never heard of Cal Green until I met his former bandmate and music producer Joey Jefferson of The Joey Jefferson Band. I thought Cal was still gigging around somewhere the way Joey spoke so enthusiastically of his latest recording project. Then when I finally got a copy of the newly released CD and learned that Cal had passed away, I understood why.
Reading the liner notes, Cal’s history goes all the way back to his native Texas roots where he began playing guitar with the famous Hank Ballard & The Midnighters. As I continued to read the list of others he toured and played with like Jack McDuff, Lou Rawls, Ray Charles, Esther Phillips and many others – I got to the part where Joey, with sentiment, wrote that Cal “was gone.”
So, reading about Cal’s music history while listening to the CD really brought the music to life. One can hear how he was heavily influenced by Wes Montgomery.
(November 8, 2023) To be honest, I had never heard of Cal Green until I met his former bandmate and music producer Joey Jefferson of The Joey Jefferson Band. I thought Cal was still gigging around somewhere the way Joey spoke so enthusiastically of his latest recording project. Then when I finally got a copy of the newly released CD and learned that Cal had passed away, I understood why.
Reading the liner notes, Cal’s history goes all the way back to his native Texas roots where he began playing guitar with the famous Hank Ballard & The Midnighters. As I continued to read the list of others he toured and played with like Jack McDuff, Lou Rawls, Ray Charles, Esther Phillips and many others – I got to the part where Joey, with sentiment, wrote that Cal “was gone.”
So, reading about Cal’s music history while listening to the CD really brought the music to life. One can hear how he was heavily influenced by Wes Montgomery.
On this digitally mixed, re-issue series 2022/2023 (with one new added song, “Stormy”), this CD (also on vinyl) of eight tracks titled “Trippin With Cal Green’,” was orchestrated, supervised, and produced by Joey. First released in 1969 on Joey’s Mutt & Jeff record label, the songs have been remastered to the highest technical quality, and are now available on Joey’s Emporium Jazz label, distributed by TuneCore. The songs include Trippin’ (with a rhythmic tempo reminiscent of The Meters’ “Cissy Strut”); Sweet September (a melodic easy listening groove); Days Of Wine And Roses (melodic/reflective/intimate); Stormy (nice groove, exceptional guitar); Sieda (nice piano/organ exchange, melodic); My Cherie Amour (great guitar intro, Wes Montgomery meets Motown); Mellow In Blue (nice guitar pickin’ and strummin’); and Johnny’s Gone To Vietnam (funk/r&b buoyed by jazz voicings).
The songs feature Charles Kinard (piano & organ); Billy Moore (drums & percussion); Tracy Wright (Fender bass); and Cal Green (guitar).
Someone once said this album should be titled “Monster.” After listening to it, I have to agree! This music deserves to be heard!
By Larry Buford