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In Reply to: How can you ask such question? obviously! posted by jazz1 on August 26, 2002 at 12:37:08:
You nailed that one.I ordered it a couple of days ago, should get it any day now. In addition, I ordered the new Tain Watts release, I hadn't realized he had a new one out. It's called 'Bar Talk' & features the usual (stallar) suspects, Branford, Joey Calderazzo (yahoo!) & James Genus, plus Ravi Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Paul Bollback (a fine guitarist), Eric Revis, plus a handful of others. I can't wait for both, both Marsalis' 'Contemporary Jazz' and Watt's 'Citizen Tain' are amoung my favorite releases of the last several years. While ordering off the net is convenient, waiting for shipping, even if it's a few days, can be trying, expecially with this pair of CDs.
Follow Ups:
I bought the Citizen Tain and with the exception of The Impaler, that CD did nothing for me. As soon as I saw Michael Brecker on Bar Talk and said why bother. I usually don't like those "all star" sessios because typically they lack continuity. I did not hear Contemporary Jazz but I will check out the line-up. Is that a quartet or trio date and is it primarily a tenor date or is it mostly soprano?
Sorry... I was away, but I have been listening! As to the Tain Watts CD, I completely agree with Bob below. I know how suspicious you are, Geo, when it comes to big name sessions, but this one makes sense. Tain has been playing with Branford's quartet for a few years, and he's been playing with Brecker's quartet for a few years - doesn't it make sense that he'd have them both on his CD? The synergy between them is invaluable. I have the CD already, picked it up as soon as I saw it available. In fact (and this replies to your Branford CD question), I had to take a drive up to Montreal over the past couple of days (sad story.... needed repairs to my Classe unit), so I loaded up the CD changer with Branford Marsalis CDs to pass the time. I had him on my mind since last week's discussion that I ended up listing my favorite CDs by him, and I thought I'd revisit all of them. About 6 hours each way, and I listened to them chronologically, finishing up with his new one, and also the Jeff Tain Watts CD ( I had listened to each of them already prior to the trip). These two CDs, quite simply, stack up against just about anything I've heard. Awesome CDs, but that shouldn't be a surprise given my proclivity towards the type of jazz that has been made by any of those involved on either of the two discs. My expectations for this Marsalis CD were forged as long ago as last February (can't believe I've been waiting for "Love Supreme for that long) (see link).As I said before, I've been waiting for this Marsalis CD for a looooong time, since hearing him do "A Love Supreme" live at the Vanguard, and it's proven well worth the wait. This quartet just cooks - that much was evident in their live show, and on their last CD, "Contemporary Jazz". They're perhaps tighter now than they've been in the past - I don't think it was easy for Branford to quickly adjust to Calderazzo in place of Kenny Kirkland but they seem to be using the new dynamics to full advantage on this new release. I'm just wild about Calderazzo - I have been since Brecker started working him in a few years back. If you measure technique, speed, imagination, and especially enthusiasm - there's nobody who comes close, IMO - not for the whole package. The hardest hitting pianist today, IMO. Tain Watts being the most dynamic drummer today, and Branford arguably the most accomplished sax player (I mostly prefer him on tenor), its no wonder that this quartet can create such meaningful jazz. Not to leave out Revis,if you listen to the solid foundation he lays down while going through the complex changes in this music, you have to appreciate him. He's also got that deep low bass touch that seems endemic to all Marsalis music! I've heard him with Brecker a few times as well, and he's always fundamentally ideal for hard driving post bop - not too flashy, but perfectly solid. I have to listen to it for a few days more, but today I'm comfortable saying that it equals or possibly surpasses "Contemporary Jazz' in its significance and impact. I'm thrilled with the interpretations! Exactly what I've been saying jazz today does best - add something to the existing works, pay homage, and do so in a distinctive style, with technique, imagination, and excitement. I couldn't wait to hear the Coltrane piece, but the Rollins and Coleman seem to be brilliant as well, at least initially.
Just another word about "Bar Talk" - it's quite an impressive CD as well (if one forgives Tain for trying to vocalize on one track - I don't know wtf he's thinking on that one!). This CD is a huge step up from Citizen Tain, IMO, and I liked that one. This CD seems much more thoroughly conceived and executed. I'm not a big fan of the 'bar talk' motif - tracks fade in through chatter and bar sounds - but once started, the tunes take off in delightfully unexpected directions, and the playing is phenomenal. First impressions... I've never heard Tain sound so focused and precise. The complex polyrhythms and tempo shifts, the agressively churning style are there, the deftly articulate cymbal touches, the spontaneous punctuations - all inspired and executed with so much evident joy , that it's infectious. I went directly to track 4, to hear Branford and Brecker play together (first time that I know of), to compare their styles (one is smooth handling thru the S-turns, the other roars down the straightaway... guess which one is quicker!) then to track 12 to hear some more Brecker - get past that vocal that had me check to see if the right CD was playing, and be rewarded by another fine Brecker solo. Ravi Coltrane even holds his own and acquits himself very well in such fast and powerful company. Bollenback throws in a bunch of really tasty guitar riffs, and Calderazzo is his usual electrifying self. This one has James Genus on bass, a nice match for Watt's in a rhythm section; I've heard the two perform live a few times, and they clearly are in synch with each other too.
Between the Marsalis and the Watts CDs, I had quite a compelling soundstage to drive me down the Thruway last night. Kept me wide awake with my imagination sparked. I had to keep the car in cruise control though - that sort of energetic jazz would have had my foot burying the gas pedal. The two CDs represent the best sort of powerhouse jazz that I find so compelling. Really major league stuff!
Hope you enjoy them half as much as I am, Geo... glad we agree on some jazz.
Mike - Once again, another great review. I get the CDs today, can't wait. One of the good things about both these releases (as well as PB's "Verse") is that they should be touring soon.I'm equally enamored with Joey, he cooks on all cylinders and his intreprative skills, whether on a ballad or a hard bop piece, leave me wanting for more. He's also written some fine pieces - can't wait for his next release.
BTW, I may be in the City this weekend, will know more later today. Did a quick search on the web, nothing really blowing me away this weekend at the usual venues, although Hamiet Bluiett's Baritone Nation (at the Iridium) sounds interesting. Person is at Birdland, not sure I want to spring for him so soon after seeing him.
Wow - a trip to Montreal to fix your Classe. Hmmm, maybe I should take my unit up for repairs, but I'll do it in early July instead.
This weekend there's Don Byron (music for 6 musicians) at the Vanguard, Kenny Wheeler is at Birdland, and Jason Moran at The Jazz Gallery. Person is at the Bluenote, actually. Always something to hear. But hey, Speaking of tours - Patricia Barber is going to be at Birdland. We have reservations for Sat. night the 14th. I think I saw somewhere that she'll be at Blues Alley the following night. I'm really hoping that Dave Douglas will be with her - he's featured prominantly on "Verse" (it's probably not jazz anyway), and I heard somewhere that he's been doing some shows with her. How nice would that be?I'm sure you'll love both the Branford and the Watts CD. I'm really pleased with each of them. Good luck - hope you get them soon!
The trip to Montreal was spontaneous, but I felt better driving up than putting the unit in the mail. It was a nice drive anyway, and I stopped off for a day hike in the Adirondacks. Early July is certainly the time to make the trip up to Montreal fer sure! Late June/early July. Going up there sans festival du jazz (my French is improving!) was a real let down.
Mike
If you have not, try Introducing the Fo'tet, Ornetteology, or The Fotet Plays Monk.
None under his name, but I'm somewhat familiar with him. Just looked him up on Allmusic.com, and I do have 9 CDs that feature him. The fact that he's never impressed me enough to remember him tells me he's not particularly a standout, but if you think his CDs are special, I'll make a point of getting one. "Fo'tet"?
Which 9 CD's do you have? Check out the new Jeremy Pelt - Profile with Ralph. He is really into polyrhythms like Elvin, likes the toms like Tony and breaks up the beat like Roy. I used to really dig Tain (who I still like) but I prefer Ralph.
Turned out to actually be 8:Tom Harrell - Moon Alley
Don Byron - Tuskeegee Experiments
Uri Caine - Goldberg VAriations
Jon Faddis - Faddisphere
Roy Hargrove - Diamond in the Rough
Craig Handy - Three For All
Craig Handy - Split Second Timing
Charles Lloyd - Notes From Big Sur
Craig Handy - Three For All
Craig Handy - Split Second TimingThese give you a glimpse. Three for All really features Ralph. look for those Fo'tet records. You should enjoy them.
:-)!
dh
While I know what you mean (& usually agree) by an "all star" session, I wouldn't consider 'Bar Talk' such an event. With the possible exception of Hiram Bullock, Henry Hay & Gregoire Maret (cause I just don't know), Tain has played with these guys alot. I saw a gig under his name last year featuring Coltrane, Bollenback, Budway & Genus, they were tight & excellent together. He's also played a bunch with Brecker, Calderazzo & Revis, so I'm thinking it's going to be a great CD. Anyhow, I'll find out today or tomorrow, the shipment is suppose to arrive.
Let us know how it is. I have been a Tain fan since his early days with Wynton. I am just not a big fn of his records. He sounds great on the Brandford CD and is alos very good on the new George Colligan disc on CrissCross. If you like Jeff then you should pick up some Ralph Peterson. Same school of drumming but his records are more accomplished. The Fotet plays Monk is OUTSTANDING. I never heard Monk sound so hip. Back To Stay sucks but all of the other Ralph records are worth checking out.
'Contemporary Jazz' is a quartet date, featuring Watts, Calderazzo, Revis and Marsalis, primarily on tenor. As I said earlier, I think its a great piece. As for 'Citizen Tain', it took several listenings, I don't think it is easily accessable. However I'm a big Watts fan, (seen him many times) and I can never get enough of Calderazzo. The Impaler is indeed a good piece, but I think Tain is a fine composer.
The Impaler is probably the best thing on CT, but not the only good thing, IMO. I also enjoy Wry Koln, Sigmund Groid, and Trieste. Not an album I sit and listen to all the way through, though.
dh
Wynton smokes on the Impaler. There are a few othr good things on it but not enough to keep my attention. This is what happened to the Ralph Peterson Cd The Art of War. The first 5 tunes are not interesting but the last four are killer. Check out the Jeremy Pelt on fresh sound. That is an album and Ralph plays like he hasn't played in years.
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