Happenings

Album Review

The combination of Hank Jones and Oliver Nelson, along with sidemen such as Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, and Jerry Dodgion, would normally have one expecting a great release. Unfortunately, Jones plays an electric harpsichord on seven of the 11 tracks from this mid-1960s LP, plus there are several dated pop numbers from the era, including "Winchester Cathedral" (though it has a campy pesudo-Satchmo vocal by Terry) and the bland "Mas Que Nada (Pow Pow Pow)," which has long since worn out its welcome. Jones' playing, Nelson's arrangements and his originals (including "Happenings" and "Lou's Good Due Blues"), and the work of the various sidemen is all first rate. But the forgettable sound of the electric harpsichord (an instrument that thankfully didn't catch on, contrary to liner note writer Stanley Dance's prediction that it was here to stay along with earlier electronic instruments) keeps this release from achieving the heights it would have if Jones had only stuck to the piano throughout the sessions. This disc will be sought only by those fans who must have everything Hank Jones has recorded.