Johnny Hodges : Castle Rock (LP, Vinyl record album) -- Dusty Groove is Chicago's Online Record Store
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Castle Rock

LP (Item 23454) Verve/Norgran, 1952 — Condition: Very Good+
An undisputed Verve classic, and proof that Johnny Hodges could make damn good records away from Duke Ellington! The set features a number of small groupings of Ellington players – like Al Sears, Billy Strayhorn, Lawrence Brown, and others – but the sound is quite different than with the Duke – really jamming hard, with almost an R&B overtone at times – and a strong focus on the hard-edged Hodges alto sax! The classic "Castle Rock" is a wailer composed by Sears – and other tracks are all great too – including "Jeep Is Jumping", "Wham", "Sideways", "You Blew Out The Flame In My Heart", and "My Reward".  © 1996-2025, Dusty Groove, Inc.

Very Good + (plus)

  • Vinyl should be very clean, but can have less luster than near mint.
  • Should still shine under a light, but one or two marks may show up when tilted.
  • Can have a few small marks that may show up easily, but which do not affect play at all. Most marks of this quality will disappear when the record is tilted, and will not be felt with the back of a fingernail.
  • This is the kind of record that will play "near mint", but which will have some signs of use (although not major ones).
  • May have slight surface noise when played.

Condition Notes

If something is relevant, we try to describe it in the notes — especially if it is release or pressing details, or an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record. This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip, cover damage or wear, or strictly cosmetic flaws.


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Atlantic, Early 1950s. Very Good
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Memories Of Ellington
Norgran, Early 50s. Very Good-
Great work as a leader from this legendary Duke Ellington altoist – working here with Ben Webster on tenor, Lawrence Brown on trombone, Emmett Berry on trumpet, Leroy Lovett on piano, and Lloyd Trotman on bass – plus some tracks that Flip Phillips and Al Sears on tenor, and Sonny Green ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve (France), Early 50s. Near Mint- Gatefold
Swing session with small group backing by Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Woode, Sonny Greer, and Clark Terry – and which features Johnny's warm tones soloing nicely on comfortable standards. All of side one is a "ballad medley", with a very Creamy sound, and titles that include "But ... LP, Vinyl record album
Norgran, Early 50s. Very Good+
Incredible work from Johnny Hodges – the kind of material that made his time at Verve so great, and a real showcase for that amazing tone on alto sax! The format here is a largeish group one, but Johnny steps out with some beautiful solos that are very much at the front of the mix – ... LP, Vinyl record album

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Ellingtonia!
Onyx, 1946/1950/1964. Near Mint-
Three slices of Johnny Hodges performances, from three different decades – with Al Sears on tenor on the 1946 sessions, Don Byas on the 1950 date, and Paul Gonsalves on the 60s set! LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, 1959/1960. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold
A rare treat – 2LPs worth of material by Johnny Hodges, recorded at the end of the 50s, but never issued until this late 70s set! The first disc features a 1959 session, with players that include Harold Baker, Quentin Jackson, Ben Webster, Jimmy Hamilton, and Jo Jones – accompanying ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, 1958. Very Good+
Excellent work from the great altoist Johnny Hodges – soloing beautifully on a set of standard Gershwin tunes, over wonderfully warm arrangements by Russ Garcia, in the best manner of the Verve "with strings" style. Hodges was a monster soloist in this kind of setting – ... LP, Vinyl record album

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Perdido
Norgran, Early 50s. Very Good
A stone cooker from Johnny Hodges – just the right kind of small group session to perfectly showcase his amazing sound on the alto sax! The group's a slightly unusual one – and features Arthur Clark on tenor, Harold Baker on trumpet, Lawrence Brown on trombone, Leroy Lovett on piano, ... LP, Vinyl record album
Mercer, Early 50s. Very Good
A rare non-Ellington Johnny Hodges session from the early 50s – featuring Harold Baker on trumpet, Quentin Jackson on trombone, Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet, and Raymond Fol on piano. Titles include "That's Grand", "Wishing & Waiting", "Bean Bag Boogie", and ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, 1961/1962. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold
A nice little 2-fer collecting two great meetings of two greats! Jug and Stitt go head to head on Boss Tenors, a classic album of tracks that perfectly captures the joy and fury of their live performances from years before! The record was cut in Chicago with a very hard rhythm section that ... LP, Vinyl record album
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Features Sal Nistico on tenor, Carl Fontana on trombone, and Luis Gasca on trumpet! LP, Vinyl record album

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