Take a Number from 1 to 10

Take a Number from 1 to 10 is an album by saxophonist Benny Golson, featuring performances recorded in late 1960 and early 1961 and originally released on the Argo label.[1]

Take a Number from 1 to 10
Studio album by
Benny Golson
Released1961
RecordedDecember 13 & 14, 1960 and April 11, 1961
Nola's Penthouse Sound Studio, New York City
GenreJazz
Length41:55
LabelArgo
LP 684
ProducerKay Norton
Benny Golson chronology
Big City Sounds
(1960)		 Take a Number from 1 to 10
(1961)		 The Jazztet and John Lewis
(1961)

Background

This was Golson's first recording as leader for Argo.[2]:7 The concept for the album – start with a track of solo saxophone by Golson, then add one musician for each of the remaining tracks, finishing with ten for the final one – was that of producer Kay Norton.[2]:7

Recording and music

The first seven tracks were recorded on December 13 and 14, 1960.[2]:19 Golson begins on tenor saxophone with one chorus of "You're My Thrill".[2]:7 "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" adds bassist Tommy Williams, who maintains the tempo while "matching Golson's intensity".[2]:8 Drummer Albert Heath is added for a trio version of "The Best Thing for You Is Me"; then pianist Cedar Walton joins, becoming the fourth member of the Golson-Art Farmer-led band the Jazztet playing, for "Impromptune".[2]:8 Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard plays on the medium tempo "Little Karin", which was named after Norton's daughter.[2]:8 "Swing It" is a fast blues with Curtis Fuller on trombone added; the sextet with Fuller, Hubbard, and Walton presaged the 1961 version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.[2]:8 Golson is the main soloist for the ballad "I Fall in Love Too Easily", which has Sahib Shihab added on baritone saxophone.[2]:8

The personnel changed considerably for the final three tracks, recorded on April 11, 1961.[2]:19 The octet that plays "Out of This World" consists of baritone saxophone, two tenor saxophones, trumpet, trombone, French horn, bass, and drums; they form rhythms that allow Golson to flow in and out of the harmonic structure of the composition.[2]:8 A second trumpet is added for "The Touch"; and another, Farmer, completes the tentet for "Time".[2]:8

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[3]

The Allmusic review describes the album as "A gimmick record that transcends its novelty trappings [...] While the progressive sonic expansion is fascinating to behold, the small-group settings are no less impressive for their intimacy and nuance".[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Benny Golson except as indicated

  1. "You're My Thrill" (Burton Lane, Ned Washington) – 1:36
  2. "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (Cole Porter) – 4:11
  3. "The Best Thing for You Is Me" (Clifford Brown, Buddy DeSylva, Ray Henderson) – 2:49
  4. "Impromptune" – 3:03
  5. "Little Karin" – 3:36
  6. "Swing It" – 4:26
  7. "I Fall in Love Too Easily" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 4:47
  8. "Out of This World" (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) – 3:54
  9. "The Touch" – 5:16
  10. "Time" – 3:35
  • Recorded at Nola's Penthouse Sound Studio in New York City on December 13, 1960 (tracks 1–4), December 14, 1960 (tracks 5–7) and April 11, 1961 (tracks 8-10)

Personnel

Musicians

Production
  • Kay Norton – production
  • Tommy Nola – recording engineering

References
  1. Benny Golson discography. Accessed June 15, 2012.
  2. Blumenthal, Bob (2004) In The Complete Argo/Mercury Art Farmer/Benny Golson/Jazztet Sessions [CD liner notes]. Mosaic.
  3. Ankeny, Jason Allmusic Review. Accessed June 15, 2012.
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