js There are three distinctly different Eric Dolphys; Eric the flautist, Eric on the bass clarinet, and high flying Eric Dolphy on the alto saxophone. Dolphy’s flute playing is superb, but its his alto playing that impresses the most and that’s what you get plenty of on “Eric Dolphy in Europe Volume 2“, some of the most virtuoso excursions on the alto sax you have ever heard. You also get some excellent flute playing, and for those who don’t dig his clarinet tone, no clarinet at all. The music on here is not as avant-garde as some of Dolphy’s original creations, mostly the backing band sticks to the changes of the hard bop tunes, but Dolphy’s flights take those changes to some very faraway places.

The original album contains three tunes with Dolphy on alto, plus “Don’t Blame Me”, which features a lengthy workout on the flute. The CD re-issue contains an extra version of “Blame”, oddly enough recorded that same night, which is nice because his flute comes out stronger and clearer on that version. All three of the alto tunes are great, with a blistering version of "The Way You Look Tonight" being one of the best. Dolphy’s backing band is brave enough to hang with him, but also smart enough not to try to emulate him. Pianist Bent Axen turns in tough punchy bluesy solos, and wisely gets out of the way when Eric really takes off.

I can’t say enough good things about what Dolphy can do to a set of changes with an alto sax. Although there have been others who have expanded on the high speed melodic ideas of Charlie Parker, to me no one has done it on quite the same level that Dolphy has. I know there are those who would disagree, but listen to these tracks and decide for yourself.