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Jim Hall - "Panorama, Live at the Village Vanguard"
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Jim Hall never fails to amaze. Here is a guitarist who is 68 years old
and still searching and challenging himself to reach new ground. This
particular recording is a live outing featuring Hall's trio, Scott
Colley - bass and Terry Clarke - drums joined by five guests - pianists
Kenny Barron and Geoff Keezer, alto saxophonist Greg Osby, trombonist
Slide Hampton and flugelhorn player Art Farmer. All of the songs are
originals by Hall except for one written by his wife Jane, and were
written specifically for each guest.
The material runs from pretty straight-ahead to a little outside, but
all remain true to Hall's expressive, searching self. This is a most
enjoyable recording, and a must for any guitar enthusiast and those who
appreciate great music beautifully performed by a like-minded player who
is not afraid to push the boundaries. (S.B.)
Telarc 83408 to order
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Marc Johnson - "The Sound of Summer Running"
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This fantastic recording features Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell on
guitars, Joey Baron - drums as well as the leader on bass. Johnson has
always seemed to like the two guitars, bass and drum combination. First
with his two Bass Desires recordings from the eighties featuring the
guitars of John Scofield and Bill Frisell and then his Right Brain
Control band of the nineties which featured the guitars of Ben Monder
and Kurt Rosenwinkle.
On this new recording the sound is a lot more Midwestern and song
oriented with the length of tunes coming in at around the four and a
half to six minute mark. Johnson wrote seven out of the ten songs with
Frisell writing two and Metheny one. The music is really written to
feature the interplay between Frisell and Metheny (this being the first
recording where the two play together) and they both rise to the
occasion. Neither guitarist overplays nor each tries to blend with the
other without ever losing their strong identities.
I am convinced that this is an important recording to own not only
because it features four very influential musicians but also as a
recording it is a piece of art and shows that the word "jazz" should
mean creating not "re-creating". (S.B.)
Verve 314 539 299-2 to order
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Valery Ponomarev - "A Star for You"
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The Russian born trumpeter, who worked with the hard bop master Art
Blakey in 1976 (a dream come true for Valery), here demonstrates that he
still carries the flame that Blakey always had lit in his bands. The
drummer on this date is Billy Hart, who drives the quintet, at times
demonically, and whose solos are strong lessons for any aspiring
drummer.
The tenor player, Bob Berg, swings hard, but to these ears, attempts to
squeeze too many notes into his solo space.
Every track consists of extended solos, but not one is remotely
threatened to exhaust the player's inventiveness.
As well as being a gifted instrumentalist, Ponomarev is a talented
composer and six of the seven tracks are from his pen. The only standard
being "We'll be together Again" (the longest track at 10:36).
Other members of the band are Sid Simmons - piano and Ken Walker - bass.
For lovers of the hard bop school with a 90's touch. (H.H.)
RSR CD 150 to order
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John Scofield - "A Go Go"
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Scofield dips into the funk and grease here with one of the most
exciting trios in jazz today, Billy Martin, John Medeski and Chris Wood,
and they prove to the perfect backup band for John's statements.
The versatility of the rhythm section never ceases to please, especially
on the title track and "Kubrick", "Chicken Dog" and "Boozer". I would
have liked a ballad or two, but regardless I am glad this session came
to fruition. (H.H.)
Verve 314 539 979-2 to order
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Nnenna Freelon - "Maiden Voyage" |
 RealAudio Sample |
Recipient of both the Billie Holiday Award (France) and the Eubie Blake
Award, twice nominated for Grammy honours, vocalist Nnenna Freelon turns
her sights on the creation of an album message - "a joyous celebration
of feminine spirit and passion". Material is drawn from a wide range of
lyricists/composers - Nina Simone, Sippie Wallace, Buffy Sainte-Marie,
Blossom Dearie, Marian McPartland, et al --with two Freelon originals,
"Future News Blues" and "Sing Me Down", the latter a tender and moving
ballad with traditional refrain. The thematic core centres on broad
issues: the environment, personal freedom, human relationships, and the
future. The vocalist exhibits a wide range, a controlled power and
inflection capable of expressing variable shades of emotion. The
instrumental support --notably Michael Abene (piano/arranger), Bob
Mintzer (bass clarinet/soprano sax), Joe Beck (guitar), and Herbie
Hancock (guest pianist on the title tune) - complements both the tempo
swings and dramatic shifts of this varied programme. (J.S.)
Concord 4794-2 to order
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Gary Burton - "Astor Piazzolla Reunion" |
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For decades now, Gary Burton has been a catalyst for musical innovation,
whether it is country, rock, jazz or classical. It is not surprising
that his eclectic pursuits should have led to a friendship and artistic
bond with the Argentinian composer, Astor Piazzolla. This present disc,
recorded in Buenos Aires (1996) with some of Piazzolla's associates,
serves as a fitting tribute to the mutual respect they shared. Twelve of
the thirteen works are Piazzolla compositions, ranging from the tight
tango rhythms with sudden tempo/mood swings ("Triunfal"/"La Muerte de
Angel"), spirited and percussive patterns ("Tanguedia"/"Lunfardo"), to
gentle, romantically lyrical pieces such as "Soledad" or the rarely
heard "Romance del Diablo".
Burton's vibes is never out of place in this context, adding a jazzy
touch as well to "Allegro Tangabile" or "Decarismio". The final number,
recorded in 1970 by the solo bandoneon of Piazzolla, has been
electronically reconstructed to include Burton in a virtual duet
performance - a time warp meeting indeed, but truly " a conversation
between friends" (liner). (J.S.)
Concord 4793-2 to order
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David Mott - "The Sky Ringing in an Empty Bell" |
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Saxophonist, composer, teacher David Mott draws upon his many interests
- the martial arts, shamanic and healing aspects of music, non-western
concepts - in fashioning nine original compositions for this 1997 CD,
all for baritone saxophone solo performance. Despite what you hear,
there is no overdubbing or electronic manipulation, though some close
miking and amplification have been employed. Works are not notated so
that freedom of presentation of presentation is ensured at each playing.
The music brings a heightened awareness of the extended range and
capabilities of a single instrument - hauntingly delicate and ethereal
("Regarding Starlight", smoothly mellow and distinctive ("Serge Chaloff
in Memoriam"), percussively resonating ("A Little Small Talk"),
fostering "presound sound" ("Meditation 2"), or capturing the continuous
flow of "circular breathing" with its consequent emotional impact on the
listener. Though this may not be to everyone's musical satisfaction, it
is a fascinating insight into the motivations and passions that prompt
the discovery of new musical vistas. (J.S.)
YFA 00596 to order
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Jay McShann - "Hootie's Jumpin' Blues" |
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Oklahoma-born, Kansas City-inspired pianoman, Jay McShann, links up with
the Duke Robillard band between sessions at the Edmonton Folk Festival
in a CD programme mainly of McShann compositions, many dating back to
the early 40's when swing was the thing and Charlie Parker was only in
embryonic stages of development as a sideman in the orchestra. It's a
relaxed uncomplicated KC sound, with soloists such as trumpeter Bob
Tildesley ("Confessin' the Blues"), tenorman Gordon Beadle ("Hootie
Blues", baritone Dave Babcock ("Jumpin' the Blues"), or guitarist
Robillard ("Hootie's Ignorant Oil") working over an insistent
riff-driven ensemble backdrop. Jay's piano and vocals, blues-based and
swinging, are still fresh and appealing, especially on "Hands Off" and
"Hootie Blues", and the piano/guitar duet on Edmond Hall's "Profoundly
Blue" is a highlight. A 21-minute bonus track is offered with Jay
soloing and reminiscing in interview format. (J.S.)
Stony Plain 1237 to order
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Mike Westbrook - "Bar Utopia" |
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Composer/pianist Mike Westbrook remains a kind of musical maverick whose
explorative sorties into the worlds of theatre; poetry and music have
led to multi-faceted works, which defy boundaries. This 1996 CD,
recorded in London, England, was initially premiered at the Bath
International Festival in May of 1995 as a big band jazz cabaret.
Vocalists Kate Westbrook and John Winfield present lyrics by Helen
Simpson in an orchestral setting directed by the pianist. The opening
"Overture", a saxophone quartet with undertones of Jelly Roll Morton's
"The Chant", anticipates the dramatic mood swings, both instrumentally
and lyrically, to follow in this Utopia which is nowhere yet anywhere.
The range of topics and people one might encounter in a bar is aptly
captured in such segments as the bitter, self-serving "Utopia Blues",
the jaunty "Dialogue" of differing opinions (cleverly conveyed by sax &
trombone as well), the brassy, assertive "Happy Jazz Singer" whose
inhibitions seem to have been discarded by the glass, to the final jazzy
"Bar Utopia", where opinions remain unresolved but manageable (with
lovely strains of cello and tenor intricately interwoven). Though it
probably works better on the stage, the concept comes across well on
disc. Kudos to all! (J.S.)
Enja 9333-2 to order
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Aura Borealis - "I Found Love Again" |
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If you're looking for a songstress with the clarity of a Barbara Cook,
the range and control of a Cleo Laine, the emotional impact of a Lena
Horne, the swinging vitality of an Ella, I believe I've found one for
you. Her name is Aura Borealis (or Aura, or Aura Rully, if you prefer),
and her 1997 CD, recorded in Toronto with husband Ron Rully on drums,
Dave Field on bass, and Bernie Senensky at the piano, showcases all of
those qualities in 17 works including 5 of her own compositions.
Additional highlights include excellent support from tenorman/flutist
Michael Stuart ("I Found Love Again"/"La Vie en rose"), trumpeter Jack
Long ("Crazy He Calls Me"), and vibist Paul Hoffert ("Beautiful Love").
Aura's classical training and experience with the likes of Ellington,
Quincy Jones and Thad Jones-Mel Lewis undoubtedly have been variables in
shaping her style and approach; however, there is no denying the
matchless articulation and seamless shift of mood, pitch and tone
evident in everything she has chosen to vocally explore here. You won't
be disappointed! (J.S.)
Aura 10 to order
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Highly recommended CD's without reviews, star rated
as follows:
***** Excellent
**** Good
| Rating
| Artist
| Title
| Label & Cat. No.
|
| **** |
Shirley Eikhard |
Going Home |
Artisan Music 57890 2 1 |
| **** |
Joel Miller |
Playgrounds |
Justin Time JTR 8467-2 |
| ***** |
Johnny Griffin |
Live/Autumn Leaves |
Verve 523 261-2 |
| ***** |
Charlie Haden/Gonzalo Rubilcaba/Paul Motian |
The Montreal Tapes |
Verve 537 670-2 |
| ***** |
Eric Alexander |
Full Range |
Criss Cross 1098 CD |
| ***** |
Greg Gisbert |
On Second Thought |
Criss Cross 1116 CD |
| **** |
Ray Brown Trio with Ulf Wakenus |
Summertime |
Telarc CD-83430 |
| **** |
Mark Isham |
Afterglow |
Columbia CK 67929 |
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