The State of the Tenor by Joe (Saxophone) Henderson (CD, Apr-1994, 2 Discs, Blue Note Records USA)

A very good piece of work by one of the great voices of the tenor saxophone. This album, or should I say c/d, was purchased to have in my car. I have the two original 12" albums in my collection and as the title states, this was and is the state of the tenor (saxophone)during the mid 1990's. I knew Joe Henderson personally in addition to being an admirer of his huge talent and his gifted artistry. Their are other albums by Joe that I have enjoyed more, such as his "Inner Urge" and "Mode for Joe"(both on Blue Note) and his "Joe Henderson in Japan"(on Riverside)immediately come to mind and would get my "Excellent rating". Joe's work with the equally gifted and great trumpter Woody Shaw, has always been a treat for one to experience wheather it be live or on record (a must have to demostrate this point is Larry Young's "Unity" album which is also on Blue Note, but this offering will not disappoint most listener at all. Being a musician myself I will not give my critque of any of the pieces on this album because I can not restrain myself from talking techincal inside stuff. I will say however that this will be a very good addition to your collection. In closing I would say get this good offering from an original or, you can settle for one of his many far less talented imitators out there who will give you well, a far less imitation.