"Moanin’" was Art Blakey’s first album for Blue Note in several years, after a period of recording for a miscellany of labels, and marked both a homecoming and a fresh start. The first choice had been to have the LP self-titled, but the instant popularity of Bobby Timmons’ “Moanin’”, which was the album’s first track, led to it being given that title.

“The session racks up a self-challenging achievement”, wrote Leonard Feather, “by starting right out with a climax, for it would be difficult to improve on the groove established by Bobby Timmons’ composition ‘Moanin’’.” Michael G. Nastos gave the album a five-star rating in All Music Guide, stating that “Moanin’ includes some of the greatest music Blakey produced in the studio with arguably his very best band. There are three tracks that are immortal and will always stand the test of time. The title selection is a pure tuneful melody stewed in a bluesy shuffle penned by pianist Bobby Timmons, while tenor saxophonist Benny Golson’s classy, slowed ‘AlongCame Betty’ and the static, militaristic ‘Blues March’ will always have a home in the repertoire of every student or professional jazz band.

PERSONNEL:

ART BLAKEY, drums & leader

LEE MORGAN, trumpet

BENNY GOLSON, tenor sax

BOBBY TIMMONS, piano

JYMIE MERRITT, bass

Hackensack, New Jersey, October 30, 1958.