Details
Track Listing
1. Blue Heaven
2. Ageless
3. Soul on Soul
4. Moon of the West
5. Canticle
6. Aries
7. Mary's Idea
8. Waltz Boogie
9. Multiples
10. Kyrie
11. Zonish
12. Eleven Years Old
13. Play It Momma
Album Notes
Personnel: Dave Douglas (trumpet); Greg Tardy (tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet); Chris Speed (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Joshua Roseman (trombone); Uri Caine (piano); James Genus (bass); Joey Baron (drums).
Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, New York on August 11 & 12, 1999. Includes liner notes by Linda Dahl.
A thoughtful musical nod from one bold innovator to another, SOUL ON SOUL is trumpeter Dave Douglas's homage to the great Mary Lou Williams. A pianist and composer of remarkable skill and range, Williams was one of the most versatile figures in the history of jazz. Her pieces are rooted firmly in tradition, yet they also demonstrate a postmodern, collage-like approach to blending ideas and styles. This same tendency can be seen in Douglas's music, which is one of the reasons SOUL ON SOUL works so beautifully.
There are four Williams tunes here (of which the tumbling, jump-cut "Aries"--the composition that inspired this project--is particularly notable) and nine Douglas originals (written in the spirit of Williams). Douglas is true to Williams's exploratory aesthetic (which always, it should be noted, swings mightily) in structure, melodic sense, and instrumental arrangement. The set shines all the more fiercely for its superb personnel, including drummer Joey Baron, tenor man Chris Speed, and pianist Uri Caine (who at times--as on the off-kilter stride solo in the title cut--steals the show). A fitting ode to Williams that transcends mere tribute in its own distinctive, original vision--this is a near-perfect jazz record.
Industry Reviews
Ranked #1 Jazz Album in Downbeat Critics Poll 2000.
Down Beat (08/01/2000)
...Considerably diverse....showcasing his flair for multi-part tunes....It's a wonderful album and perhaps the first where Douglas reveals his fluency with earlier jazz idioms...
JazzTimes (04/01/2000)
...tackles the multifaceted legacy of pianist-composer Mary Lou Wiliams, whose jaunty swing, languorous balladry, and turbulent interplay all resonate Douglas' own work... - Rating: B
Entertainment Weekly (02/18/2000)
...affirms [his] ability to compose and lead his own elegant and thoughtful sextet....the message quickly sinks in, espercially on his heart-rending covers of 4 Mary Lou Williams songs.
CMJ (02/14/2000)
...Pays tribute to [Mary Lou Williams]....most compositions are by Douglas himself, with just a handful from the composer in question....beautifully tight....[a] rewarding brand of evocation...
The Wire (04/01/2000)
|
)
)
)
)
All rights reserved.
