The Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Cookbook Vol. 3

Imagine my delight on finding a copy of The Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Cookbook Vol. 3 at a local emporium a couple of months back, and with a '60s U.S. Prestige Records label on it too - the first one of those I've seen hereabouts. Last year I'd acquired Vols. 1 & 2 of the same series, albeit in the form of a '74 2xLP re-issue, and ordered via Discogs. This copy of Vol. 3 has quite an advanced case of shelf-wear, but the sturdy mono disc within still plays very well. I first heard of the "cookbook" sessions ca. 2014 and had obtained a download version of them then.

Apparently the origins of Davis' unusual nickname are lost in the mists of time. He earned a reputation as a "tough tenor" but he was just as adept on mellow bluesy numbers and in ballads, with many of the "Cookbook" tracks showcasing his tender side to great effect. He plays here in a quintet, with co-star Shirley Scott at the organ (one of the very few female instrumentalists in jazz at the time) along with the versatile Jerome Richardson variously on flute, or tenor or baritone sax; George Duvivier on bass and Arthur Edgehill on drums.

The music is hearty and satisfying, if conventional, and is served up in six thick slices, three to each side. Half are standards, half are compositions by Davis & Scott. Among the former, 'I'm Just A Lucky So And So' works particularly well, and, of the latter, the aptly-named 'Simmerin'' is another highlight. Bob Porter's sleeve-notes begin by explaining that "'Cooking' was, at one time, a word that denoted the greatest praise when referring to a jazz performance". While other terms of praise had, Porter adds, since supplanted it, it's a well-deserved descriptor here.

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