All-Analog 180g Vinyl LP of Joe Henderson’s The State of the Tenor: Live at the Village Vanguard (Volume Two) Mastered from the Original Master Tapes by Kevin Gray & Pressed at RTI: Reference-Caliber Blue Note Reissue Helmed by Music Matters’ Joe Harley

In 1985, Joe Henderson brought his renegade style to the Village Vanguard, and as others had done in previous generations, truly redefined the state of the tenor in the process! From November 14 to 16 in 1985, the Joe Henderson trio held court at the Village Vanguard for a legendary 10-set engagement, some of which was recorded for Blue Note and released in 1986 as two volumes under the declarative banner The State of the Tenor. The saxophone titan was 48 at the time, and sat comfortably at the top of the heap among his peers. The great pugilist of the instrument, his muscular approach was reflective of the brash sensibility of the ’80s; the heavy hitters joining him onstage, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Al Foster, complemented Henderson’s take-no-prisoners style with a sense of airy restraint, swinging big when they needed to fill in the negative space.

Side One:
1. Boo Boo’s Birthday
2. Cheryl
3. Y Ya La Quiero
Side Two:
1. Soulville
2. Portrait
3. The Bead Game