The concert was recorded 2 days before Blakey's 70s birthday and it was an ultimativ Jazz Messengers Reunion!! The concert begins with the current ( of 1989) Jazz Messengers: Javon Jackson, Lynch, Lacy, Blanchard,Donald Harrison and Keoff Keezer. Then during "Along Came Betty" the young Jazz Messengers are replaced one by one by the former "old" legends - Freddie Hubbard takes over first than one by one Jackie McLean, Wayne Shorter, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller and Walter Davis Jr. on piano and Roy Haynes comes for Art Blakey who went to drink some champagne. The great audience reacts great when another star comes out and you feel like you would be there and clebrate with Art. It's unbelievebal, but you can't hear a single note "missing" they just take over without loosing something! Incredible! On "Mr.Blakey" Michelle Handricks sings Art a wonderful song written by Horace Silver. The Drum Duo is a fine short drum-battle between Art Blakey and Roy Haynes. On "Blues March" Art Blakey comes back on the drum chair and swings like hell, the young Jazz Messengers replace the legends again and it's just great. This Cd is Jazz finest celebration with a great great live feeling, with all legends playing on one discs, great and long liner-notes, cool photos - a masterpiece and an absolute MUST HAVE for all Jazz Messengers Fans and simply for all Jazz lovers. One of the best Cds overall!
