Blues and the Abstract Truth is a stellar album composed and arranged by Oliver Nelson featuring Freddie Hubbard – trumpet, Eric Dolphy – alto saxophone (flute on Stolen Moments), Oliver Nelson – tenor saxophone (alto saxophone on Teenie's Blues), George Barrow – baritone saxophone, Bill Evans – piano, Paul Chambers – bass and Roy Haynes – drums. With this all star lineup it would be hard to go wrong. The first song is a C minor blues titled Stolen Moments which has become a jazz standard. This is the perfect song for driving down a scenic highway with the horizon opening up before you. Freddie Hubbard and Eric Dolphy are at their inspired best on this album. The second song is called Hoe-Down and was inspired by the fourth section of Aaron Copland's Rodeo. It reminds me in a way of When I Die by Blood, Sweat and Tears but with a few more abstract twists. The entire album is full of great tunes and solos and still sounds modern though it was recorded in 1961.
